The 60s Saloon That Handled Better Than Most Sports Cars - Fiat 124 Berlina

[@Al-os2cg]

I thought the 124 had a steering box not rack and pinion?

[@michaelorlando6159]

Yes never had rack and pinion only the 84 to 86 124 spider had a rack

[@Number27]

Yes apologies… not sure where I got that from!! Not even the spider or Coupe had rack and pinion!

[@moritzhummel9747]

@@Number27 Yes, 1985 Spidereuropa had rack and pinion 🙂

[@Matt_from_Florida]

The *1983-1985* Pininfarina Spider Azzurra, the very end of the run once Fiat said _"no more for us, thanks;"_ were a way for Sergio Pininfarina to keep his employees working, as they had no major job to do again until the Cadillac Allanté came along. But for Sergio it was a chance, finally, to get the Spider he had always wanted to make. He felt Fiat had for a long time, ignored developing the Spider since it still made money for them but more so, was simply "small potatoes" to Fiat. If you get the chance to drive a 1985, take it. It has hundreds of small improvements which make it a better car. Sergio knew the Spider was no longer a match to more modern sports cars, so he strove to market it as more of a hand-assembled, old world craftsmanship, sporting luxury car.

[@peterelvery]

The 128 was the first with rack and pinion.

[@davidbiagini9048]

I was a FIAT salesman when this car was still in production and it was one of my favorites. Something about it made it very rewarding to drive. It had nothing to do with specifications and everything to do with character.

[@lanctermann7261]

I owned one. Yes, it was badly rusted, but it was a blast to drive, and sounded great due to the half-gone muffler. As I grow in wisdom, my appreciation for everyday cars like the 124 grows exponentially.

[@chrisadams6595]

Yes I agree completely, to make a medium /small saloon needs loads of compromises and bearing in mind cost constraints it's a very difficult thing to do

[@adrianmonk4440]

@lancterm // Zinc dip corrosion prevention was seen too much of an added cost.

[@floro7687]

Well, at least the steering wheel is on the right side!

[@SaulidSnake]

@@floro7687it’s on the left side

[@Number27]

Modern cars just aren’t as much fun!!

[@cristianocastagno9680]

It was the…smell you had in these, a mix of vinyl, a vague smell of petrol and fumes and….stale cigarette smoke. That’s my memory of the 124 !!

[@rjft7003]

My memories too but with a 1973, 128 Sport Coupé 1300 😊

[@monk3yboy69]

Sounds about right. Mum had one when we lived in South Africa. Imagine those vinyl seats after being parked in the blazing sun… Scorch your ass.😀😀

[@raycroal]

YES YES YES THAT OLD CAR SMELL IF YOU COULD BOTTLE THAT SMELL I WOULD PAY A FORTUNE FOR IT, TAKES ME RIGHT BACK TO BEING A TODDLER. ps sorry for shouting didnt notice and too lazy to fix it

[@martinclapton2724]

After my father had a 125 Special with the 1608cc Lampredi twin cam in the early 1970s , great car. My grandfather 1st knew , he just dismissed it as foreign . Then rode in it , then bought a 124 Special with the 1438cc ohv , followed by a 124 Special T with the 1592 twin cam . Cracking cars . Remember the latter car would start on day out of the blue- he ‘d driven Newmarket to Kidderminster without an issue- turned out to dirt in the carburettor, they can suffer this . Best to put a Malossi fuel filter . Didn’t stop my grandfather buying another Fiat , a 132 GLS 1756cc twin cam , the last car he had before he past away. Happy Days 😊

[@nkelly.9]

Every car from that epoch rusted, period. Fiat and Alfa Romeo and Lancia were ahead of the game. Four wheel disc brakes, twin overhead camshafts, all aluminium engines, five speed gearboxes, coil spring suspension, years before anyone else had them, and they all have it now. Love them.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

BL cars also rusted and I have seen rotten Mercedes too

[@jameskrell4392]

Like wise

[@harrysavvides5655]

Yes i agree all cars rusted. But Mercedes were the best overall cars. Comfort, reliability and pioneering in safety, suspension. Mercedes made a car that could get u from A to B with zero effort and no breakdowns.

[@jakubstrumillo]

Meanwhile Range Rover... :P With 4 wheel disc brakes, V8 all aluminium, AWD/4x4, coil spirngs, aluminium body sheets... :D

[@nkelly.9]

@@jakubstrumillo :P "Four wheel disc brakes, twin overhead camshafts, all aluminium engines, five speed gearboxes, coil spring suspension, years before anyone else had them," Oh, and The first Range Rovers had four speed gearboxes with no overhead camshafts and an engine design that was not their own.. :D Comprehension difficulties much?

[@MarcoMenozziPro]

My father bought a used 124 station wagon that had rust problems. Our farm was on a gravel road and our cars were always dirty. My father took the car to the body shop and we had the car repainted the exact dust colour of our road: a kind of khaki, it looked like a military vehicle. In the 1970s in Italy it was quite common and inexpensive to decide to completely repaint rusty cars.

[@victorgrasscourt3382]

Yes I remember reading about a Russian who ordered one of these cars. The delivery was to be in ten years time. The Russian guy asked if the car would be available morning or afternoon. The salesman said why do you want to know that? And the Russian said: “Well, I’ve got a plumber coming in the morning”.

[@victorgrasscourt3382]

The cars that FIAT produce today wouldn’t win any awards

[@emanuele8226]

@@victorgrasscourt3382 Yes but it was a joke about the malfunctioning soviet economy, not about rust in cars

[@philipmulville8218]

Hi Jack, brilliant video, and I fully understand your point about the melancholy felt. Our Dad was an engineer, and brought home a blue Fiat 124 - Registration No. 242 KRI - in 1974. This car was preceded by two Opel Kadetts, but those were 2 doors, and with 3 young boys and wife he needed more doors. I remember him visiting car showrooms with a tape measure to check if the rear seat was wide enough to accommodate us boys, which thankfully the 124’s was. In 13 years it only let him down only twice - on one occasion it was a flat battery. The 124 is a legend of a car and served many millions of satisfied customers.

[@richardsheil5289]

We had 7042 ZO just across the road from you. Yours was purple and ours was maroon. Ours was a 124 Special with quad lights

[@michaeloreilly657]

7463 YI. Way ahead of its time.

[@rvarsigfusson6163]

@@richardsheil5289 125 Speziale was with a twin-cam 1.6 liters and some came with 1.8. I got one 125 Speziale and that was a fun car to drive with the twin-cam engine

[@jochenkreusel131]

This reminds me of my father, who was also an engineer. After two VW Beetles which he had because that was what a young family father could afford, the 124 was the first car he had chosen by himself. And he made the choice because he was so impressed by both the engine and the minimalistic, super-functional design. The latter was what he always admired Italian engineering for.

[@janataman9196]

Roundabout 20 years ago I had an 124, too. The former owner turned it into a 60hp-olive green-black coloured race-thing with only 3 gears (third gear out of order) in rusty condition. I used it normally only for fun cruising through my hometown Hamburg, but suddenly I was invited to a skitrip in Suisse. So I drove all the way to Suisse in the old 124, and in the mountains I had so much fun with this car, never mind to the lack of the third gear 😍

[@SiberianSwiftieAlexanderS]

Hello from Russia. The car was a huge success in the Soviet Union. It was everyone's dream. People had to wait in line for months and even years ( depending on where you worked because of certain peculiarities of the Soviet way of life). Frankly speaking, not every Russian could afford to buy this car ( approx. 30-40 average month's salaries). So you had to save the money several years . Anyway, this video takes me back to my childhood , to the times I like much better than today's moment.♥

[@Number27]

Hello!!! Thanks for watching and let’s hope for better times to come!!

[@nygelmiller5293]

To Siberian Swiftie. Hello from London. We too prefer the past here! Customer service from companies is no longer good - the electricity and gas companies just want people's money and shops go out of business, because they charge them so much also! I love to watch videos about Siberia , I think people's determination to dress warmly in winter, and defy the cold weather and carry on anyway, is amazingly. Although it is not quite as cold in Switzerland (where my relatives come from), I was amazed how determined people are THERE as well, in winter, and just carry on!

[@SiberianSwiftieAlexanderS]

@@nygelmiller5293 Hello. Siberian winters are severe, but summers are not bad, up to 30 centigrades in July. Our main problem is not the climate, the problem is that our country is falling into a kind of Orwell's novel. But let's hope for the best ( what else can we do 🙂).

[@henriktoth56]

But that was very different from this original. For example the presenter here praises the steering and that was a totally different (and much worse) construction in the russian version. The russian engine was also another construction (in theory better OHC instead of OHV, but the original was still better)

[@SiberianSwiftieAlexanderS]

@@henriktoth56 Of course there were certain differences, so the name of the Soviet car was not Fiat.

[@MrMfaust5]

Quite enjoyable, and solid; I think that if it wasn't for FIAT, the Russians wouldn't have the LADA.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Yeah, these cars need an electronic transistor ignition update because the distributors and contacts wear out also the condensers that the engine stumbles...same story with Lada 1200/1500

[@1240enzo]

My first car was a ‘68 Fiat 124 sedan in white. I restored it and repainted it a dark red and rebuilt a 124s engine to replace the original 1.2 engine. The extra power made such a difference to it. I so agree with you Jack that it was a delight to drive. After I sold my 124 sedan I replaced it with a ‘69 AC 124 Sport, which I also restored.The coupe being an even better driver’s car than the sedan. I later on also owned a 125 Special and eventually a 130 sedan. The linage between all these models is so readily apparent. I have owned my AC 124 Sport for 45 years and don’t ever intend selling it.

[@manosparavida3551]

The Italian automotive industry was once, just light-years ahead of the rest of the world. I've a 105 series 1967 Alfa Romeo, Berlina 1750cc and it produces an alleged 117bhp, which for that era is unfathomable!

[@gaborozorai3714]

Oh my god, we had a 1750 Berlina from '69 to '76 while we were living in Rome. I'd love to get one now but don't have a proper garage to store it :( But weren't they made from '68 only?

[@georgebettiol8338]

@@gaborozorai3714 The 1750 Berlina was presented to the press in December 1967 at Alfa's Balocco proving ground. The car was lanched - ie. available for purchase by the buying public - in January 1968.

[@hen-rey]

Yes In the 60s my drove Fiat. Then switched to BMW

[@manosparavida3551]

@@gaborozorai3714 Uncertain of their first year of introduction? However, I did make an error. My car is a 1968 registered Berlina.

[@graemelliott3942]

In the USA we had the 124 sedan but with a larger engine. I believe it was a 1.5 or a 1.6 pushrod. I too was amazed at how it easy the engine spun up to red line.

[@krismilo8983]

Don't forget the " hot" version the 124 special T , with the fantastic 1600 twin cam engine.

[@alexconstantin4914]

...right, with two horizontal Weber carbs

[@DiscoFang]

Nor forget the Special T with the twin cam 1400. One of my favourite cars ever.

[@DiscoFang]

Both of which came with single Weber not twin.

[@alexconstantin4914]

@@DiscoFang La 124 S pas de double Weber ?

[@DiscoFang]

@@alexconstantin4914By S I presume you mean Sport (there was no “S”) but that’s not the Special T.

[@jomama01]

You were off by a couple of years and model numbers. The 128, I’d argue was much more influential as it pioneered the front transverse engine/separate transaxle format used by tens of millions of car since. And no, it wasn’t the mini - those had integral engine/transmissions.

[@ljubastojanovic608]

Correct. Fiat 128 was Europian No.1 car elected, I think in 1969 and was a brand new concept. In fact 124 was a replacement for FIAT 1300 from 1960. According to many people 1300 was better car, in any case prettier and faster, with app. same space inside, only demanding more gas, app. 10L per 100km compared to 8L for 124. FIAT 124 was very good economic clas car but having nothing special or new it is hard to call it influential. 128 is different storry. Interesting fact is that production of 128, modified by adding fifth door in fact transforming to hatch back started in Yugoslavia in 1971. If You compare this car, from design concept to lenght, weight, tire size, 1100ccm 55Hp motor to GOLF 1 You must see a total influence.

[@jochenkreusel131]

@@ljubastojanovic608 I couldn't agree more regarding the 128. When it was launched, it was close to perfection compared to the rest of the market. And until today for me it is an unrivaled milestone with regard to minimalism at its best. Fortunately, I am owning one again since 2015. But to be fair to the 124: It also was elected car of the year, in 1967, and it was the first Fiat that won this award, followed by the 128 and the 127 - and more.

[@bandidol200]

My old boss told me that his MGB GT that he bought new in the early 70's had rust on it when he took delivery and had to go into the BL bodyshop to have it sorted. My dad also told me that his brand new 1974 Renault 16 TL had rust spots on it from new, so it's not just the Fiats that went rusty!

[@Boa74]

Everything went rusty in the '60s and '70s. When I was kid these cars were 10-15 years old and all rusty. Both italian and foreigner cars.

[@kevincarlson668]

That's tragic,since the Renault 16 was top of their line at the time.I was just a little kid,but knew people who had French and Italian cars with rustbucket reputations.Theirs had no problem,and they adored their Fiats,Renaults,and Simcas.Climate,of course,made all the difference.Rainy UK and and parts of Europe,I was in (overly) dry southern California.This 124 is as adorable as the current 500,like some cartoon kitten.

[@jfv65]

True. Back then they didn't use galvanised sheet metal to build car bodies. ( i think Audi and Porsche were the first to do that) So that's why it was quite normal to have your brand new car treated against rust. Some famous names: waxoil, dintrol, tectyl. There was an entire aftermarket industry to provide that service.

[@kevincarlson668]

@@jfv65 My first car,my mom's second hand Peugeot 505,never rusted even when I lived in snowy,rainy areas.Despite what you may have heard,some French made cars were immortal.The Audi,VW's and Saabs I've had were totally impervious as well.The Asian makes rusted,but that was back in the 80's.I'm sure they've made vast improvements since then.

[@myfavorites9686]

They already rusted on the leaflett you got before you bought it.😂

[@royfontaine5526]

My parents had a white 124 Special TC in the 80s that my uncle previously ran. Rust killed it, but it was pretty rapid! They had a 131 Mirafiori after that, which rusted even more badly! No more Fiats after that!

[@Boa74]

I think the most influential Fiat was the 128. The 124 was the definition of standard car.

[@paulsnell1274]

My senior engineering project in college (1981) was converting a Fiat 124 to full electric. We used two 124’s pulled from a local scrapyard. Stripped all the ICE components and installed our own electric system. We designed and built the controllers, solid state charging system… and powertrain. The chassis we chose - the straighter of the two - was badly rusted in the boot and the rockers were gone. We repaired the boot floor and rockers with sheets of Kevlar. This was waste material from a company that made helicopter blades (owned by the father of one of my classmates). At the time technology was crude and we used 17 deep discharge lead-acid 6v batteries distributed between the boot and under the bonnet. Rear seats were removed to make space for batteries. Batteries then and now continue to be the biggest challenge to EV adoption. It was a fun project, but more than 40 years later I still have no desire to own an electric.

[@paulparoma]

I don't think this video was trying to make a case for EVs.

[@totuudentorvi7781]

With experience comes wisdom - to those that welcome it despite pushback from others without either.

[@paulparoma]

@@totuudentorvi7781 Aren't you a clever Pekka Suomalainen. You should lay off that makkara for a while.

[@markrossow6303]

rode in a hydrogen fuel cell Hyundai a few days ago

[@paulparoma]

@@markrossow6303 But there is no hydrogen...

[@paulgaida2601]

I’ve taken two taxis in these, badged as different, one in the Ukraine and one in Egypt. Much better than expected. A brilliant piece of design. One of my relatives worked at the Lingotto factory.

[@scipioafricola6466]

You made my day! The 124 is my favourite car and hearing you having so much fun with it makes me very happy.

[@ryanmccormick2150]

I can't believe a 1.2 litre engine of that vintage has 60bhp....I'm pretty sure modern naturally aspirated 1.2's have very similar power, very impressive! Excellent job Jack.... you're doing a superb job with the channel, super polished review buddy 👏 👍

[@Number27]

Thanks 🙏 chap!!

[@Number27]

Yeah.. I was amazed as well. My Fiat Uno 1.2 from 1988 had the same power. Thanks 🙏 chap!!

[@sebastiend.5335]

The current 1.2 non turbo 208 develops only 75hp. Right you are!

[@pe7893]

my wife's Grande Punto (already 17 years old, we bought it new in 2007) also has a 1.2, with 65 bhp, not fast but very quiet and ideal for driving around the church

[@sorinmiliescu]

Not sure about 1.2L engines, but my 2007 1.5L JDM Toyota Auris had 106hp

[@glenbetton3146]

True, the Russians paid FIAT in oil not steel. So the Italian cars did not rust, the engines just knocked like crazy.🤭🤭🚙

[@martian9999]

In 1986, I rented a Tofas 124 in Turkey for about two weeks. (That was the local adapation of the Fiat 124). It was a relevation! Perfect size for two, low to the ground / low center of gravity, quick steering, snarly engine, excellent visibility, great gearchange for snickety-snacking through the hills. Memorable. Imagine a Panda with a nicer-sounding engine, lower CoG, and less bouncy suspension -- that's what it felt like.

[@izzetkirbas]

It was named as Murat 124 in Turkey. Murat is a male name meaning can be translated roughly into "wanted", "desired", "wished for", "yearned".

[@SimonNoina]

My Dad had one brand new in 1968 - previous car Austin 1100, which he praised enormously - then, I remember, words almost failed him in praising the performance, handling and dynamics of the Fiat 124. As a kid I always remember the loud hiss it made when started and running on choke! - It was replaced at barely 3 years old.. so before any serious corrosion issues that the next owner probably got..... with a Triumph 2000 mk2.

[@EyesWideOpen61]

You are so right car the car is an understated masterpiece, very innovative and influential. What a value at the time. I never owned one, but did have a similar 131, which I loved You should do a 128 too, that would be super. I would appreciate that. Great video man- that’s a fine specimen

[@studiocalder818]

The real masterpiece was the 128 (the touchstone for the Golf), however the 124 was a incredible global success, interpreted in its own way in every market. At the time I looked at Alfas, Lancias, Triumphs, Citroens, Renault 16s, now I find it a correct example of design

[@michaeloreilly657]

​@@studiocalder818Correct. It wasn't the 124 that resulted in VW revival as he claimed, but the 128.

[@davidhinkson8856]

It's impressive how well this one has been kept or restored over the years. Haven't seen one of these original Fiat 124s in the wild since childhood, and it's been several years since I saw a Lada as well.

[@albertseabra9226]

My Family owned not one but two 124s. An amazing looking car, sporty as you stated , roomy. Featuring a huge Trunk (or Boot, in England) Good, frugal on gas -- or petrol, as YOUS GUYS call it in the UK. After a couple of years, my brother got his driver's permit. In terms of price, features and quality, after testing several models offered by the competition, my Parents purchased a second 124. A somehow improved Version of the same car -- the 124 R , featuring cosmetic differences and perhaps ,more HP . Even the tool box -- something normally clumsy and ugly--- was extremely well designed. Every single tool was in there -- and yet, the box was relatively small , looking attractive and fashionable. Furthermore, FIAT introduced later on another Model, which became the inspiration for the entire Auto Industry: The FIAT 127. For some reason, FIAT appears to have lost its Magic Touch.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

A car from an oddly bland period in postwar car design. There were loads of really, boring cars designed at this time - the FIAT 124 & 125, Cortina mk2, Zephyr/Zodiac mk4, Hillman Hunter, Alfa Giulia 105, Vauxhall Victor FC and HA Viva. I’m sure there were some really competent cars, and certainly the 124 sounds eager enough, but they were almost all very, very boring to look at! In the states they had a similar period - I believe they called it ‘the malaise’. Thankfully by the late 60s and early 70s, maybe influenced by Detroit getting its mojo back, and various Italian supercars, cars started to look stylish again!

[@user-db6oh3ud7k]

I would rather put the Opel Kadett B on this list than the Alfa Giulia, which is interesting looking in spite of its boxiness.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

@@user-db6oh3ud7kI’d agree - another uninspiring car design. At least the Alfa had a truly brilliant engine and chassis.

[@tomtrana3449]

When I got my driving license I was allowed to drive my uncle's Autobianchi A111, which was similar to the Fiat 124. The Autobianchi A111 was a front-wheel drive model (!) produced from 1969 to 1972 by the Italian automobile manufacturer Autobianchi SpA, which from 1967 was fully owned by the Fiat Group. The car was equipped with the 51 kW (70 hp, 75 according to SAE standard) at 5500 rpm in-line four-cylinder with side camshaft and 1438 cm³ displacement. The sedan was extensively equipped as standard. It was great to drive this car. It is absolutely rare today and is only offered as a used car in Italy.

[@jochenkreusel131]

The A111 was the car that Dante Giacosa, the technical director of Fiat, would have preferred to built instead of the 124. Imagine, how far this car would have been ahead of competition! He finally was allowed to realize his dream with the 128 - and that was a real revolution, opening a new chapter in the history of cars!

[@brianiswrong]

I had a 1979 lada estate Bought it in 1982 for £950 from a typewriter salesman in central london😊 It wasnt a fiat but it didnt half look like one.

[@kristoffer3000]

It started out as a Fiat actually, built under license.

[@nigelcliff7390]

Loved my 124 great engine great handling BUT it rusted before your eyes after a heavy dew

[@johnmarsh2078]

The 124 had a steering box not r&p. Its sucessor the 131 got a rack and was the first Fiat saloon to do so. The 124 Sport Coupe and Spyder got a steering box too but you'd never have known it as the steering was really good and pretty light too. The 124 Special and ST twin cam saloons were the forerunners of the hot hatch. Very sporty family carriers.

[@HenriBourjade]

I didn't like the steering of the Fiat 124 special, because it really lacked feedback.

[@SubToDanielPro]

The fwd 128 was the first Fiat saloon with a rack

[@johnmarsh2078]

@@SubToDanielPro My mistake .... you're right.

[@marcelhandsome6042]

The Fiat 124 looks very similar to the 125 which was Gianni Agnelli's personal favourite! This video really illustrates how Fiat like Autobianchi and Lancia were years ahead of the opposition and pioneered the city & supermini segment. This car looks so much fun to drive! reminds me of my first car a 1984 Fiat 70S 4-door a wonderful superb supermini! designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. I think Fiat still make great small cars e.g. 500e, Centoventi etc... it is just the standards between marques have narrowed considerably over the decades so they don't stand out of the crowd as once upon a time.

[@georgebettiol8338]

The 124 and 125 Fiats may look similar, however the platform of the Fiat 124 was a completely new design that incoroporated rear coil springs. The Fiat 125's platform was based on the 1961 Fiat 1500 so used an 'aging' leaf-sprung rear end. Consequently, the 124 provided improved ride and handling over the 125.

[@markbray2988]

Brilliant video Jack👏🏻 I also share your passion for FIAT cira 60's 70's (and even 80's) they were infused with a certain character... They had a distinct personality which one could relate to. Sadly that's all gone, today's cars are more like domestic appliances, useful but bloody boring!

[@zuiko21]

Gotta love this! The first (and only!) car my dad had was a (SEAT-branded) white 124 just like this one, from 1969. Unfortunately, it was written off on a crash, but dad came out unblemished! I believe these had a steering box. However, the latest restyled 124s in Spain (made in Pamplona, in the previous AUTHI factory that made Minis and ADO-16s for us!) did get rack-and-pinion with the twin cam 1756cc (FL82). Also with the later tax-driven 1919cc (FL90) derived from the Italian 1995cc engine.

[@SkysaxonDragonslayer]

My Father had its bigger brother the 125 with the 1.6L Lampredi engine with 90hp - his colleague had the 125 S with 105hp and our neighbors had a 125p with 60hp from a 1.4L engine… I loved these cars and from this time my heart belongs to small Italian cars like the Fiat Seicento that I drove for nearly 20years. Think of rebuying one, but at the moment I have no need for a car with 2 motorbike and my girlfriend owing a car.

[@tomtrana3449]

The exclusive Swiss sports car manufacturer Monteverdi used the twin headlights of the Fiat 125 for its Monteverdi 375L sports car and for the Monteverdi Safari off-road vehicle (the father of all SUVs)!

[@sharpcsc998]

My dad had the 125 in Portugal in the 70’s I think it was the twin cam {!) and went like the clappers

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Brilliant Car!!!! I Had One that I Could Fix Myself. Great Reliability and Super Fun!!! Forza Fiat!!! I Also Owned a Great 124 Spider !!!!!!

[@nlpnt]

The secret sauce was that to Italians the 124 was a full-size car. Compare it to a "small family car" British Ford Escort or a "subcompact" American car of the time like a Chevy Vega and you can see how a spacious rear seat and vacation-size trunk was much more of a priority for Fiat.

[@rjft7003]

The later models 124 Special T with the Lampredi's 1600 cc and 95 HP were the best of the bunch. Nearly 110 miles top speed and nought-to-sixty in 11 seconds. There's a very known and remarkable car chase with Jean Paul Belmondo and Omar Sharif with a 124 Special T 1400 in the film The Burglars.

[@MercedesW113]

FIAT 124 was also made in Turkey by the biggest corportation called Koc Group. My father who is mechanical engineer and had a masters degree in US got recruited by Koc Group in late 1970s than he worked there in the Turkish Fiat 124 parts department. He formed first ever computerised stock keeping system over there. This was in 1976 when computers was as big as a small room. He is not a car guy but by coincidence his first ever car that he owned when student in US was also 124 station wagon. He says there is some quality difference. (Turkish version 124 steal is a little weaker maybe) Nevertheless 124 is one of the most loved car in Turkey. 124 Fiat is called Murat 124 in over here in Turkey. Great review 👍 I will make him watch this.

[@aussiebloke609]

Jack - if memory serves, that engine IS the beginnings of the famous Lampredi design - the twin cam engines were an adaptation of that basic pushrod/overhead valve design. That said, I don't believe they ever did a twin cam version on the original 1200cc - I'm pretty sure the smallest twin cam the factory offered was the 1400 (1438cc.)

[@michaeloreilly657]

I think you are correct. And with the steering error, and his last video, Jack research standard seems to have slipped recently.

[@dindinbre]

Damn, Lampredi engines, they're the most fun things to drive around, they make power at all rpm, rev like crazy and sound glorious. This one in 124 is indeed a Lampredi engine, but not the SOHC or DOHC. I think Ladas used bigger variations of those, if memory serves me right.

[@matthewsallman1700]

This takes me back! My first car was a 1973 124 Station Wagon - ok, Estate. It could swallow a huge amount of stuff to go back and forth to college. My mother finally game me her Renault 18i to get me in a bigger car as she was always worried about my little wagon.

[@nlpnt]

"124 Station Wagon - ok, Estate..." Giardiniera :-)

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

I used to hire these in Cyprus in the mid seventies, great fun cars.

[@wilfredpau3627]

My mum had a Fiat 124 as her first car. During the 1967 leftist riot in Hong Kong, her 124 was hijacked by a rioter who waved her down, opened the car door, jumped in and ordered her to drive to where he wanted her to go. My mum was terrified. The man was dropped off some time later.

[@nygelmiller5293]

To Wilfredpau. I am just glad your mother was alright - that's the main thing!

[@william-131]

One would almost think Jack rather likes this Fiat;-)

[@garychilds1130]

I had a special t and then I put an 1800 twin cam from a 132 in it back in the day they were plentiful

[@eefneleman9564]

The double wishbone suspension at the front may have had something to do with the drivability. Let's not forget also that the Beetle was essentially a pre-war design, with its cheap torsion bar front suspension and dangerous pendulum rear axles which made sure the rear tires never had any good grip on the road. The Russian car is the Zhiguli by VAZ (now AvtoVAZ). Export is called Lada.

[@sebastiend.5335]

That car has a nice stance and is great looking! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@ronmeyler4148]

Back in Ireland 1966 our next door neighbour bought one. I was lucky to cadge lifts to school. It was like a sports car to a twelve year old. Didn’t the bring our a bigger version. Fiat 125 I believe

[@michaelisaacson9735]

Rack and pinion? Really? The 124 Spider and Coupé had worm and roller. I can't imagine Fiat spending the money to re-engineer a steering system less accurate that what it had. Unless they had to do so due to the physically larger engines in those cars, I suspect this had worm and roller as well. Yes? No?

[@Bamsebrakar2011]

Living in the Middle East in the early 1970s, I remember the 124 as locally built and branded by Egyptian EI Nasr Automotive company. However, we had a Fiat 125S for a brief period, a «hot rod» but also very comparable in many ways.

[@2wheelhopelessgarage258]

My grandfather had this in late 70’. This is propably the car that gave the ”petrol injection” to my head. They had a summer cottage close to the ”rally of the 1000 lakes” roads. The sounds of the car brings back memories.

[@touraneindanke]

Nobody EVER mentioned that the first LADA and other 124 like cars indeed are based on the FIAT 124. The latter generations very obviously have FIATS 125 bodywork styles added. (The disk brakes did not work on Russians dirt “roads” especially in winters) So drum brakes on all corners 💪

[@bernieteather1672]

Thank you Jack. If the car is indeed a 1966 car then it would have had the superior early rear suspension namely the torque tube setup. This was also fitted to early AS spiders and AC coupes. Unfortunately it was replaced with a cheaper to produce 4 link setup in 1968. Read J L K Setright's waxing lyrical comparing the 124 AC with a Lotus Elan!!!

[@ioannpapaioann7678]

My father bought a seat 124 1.2 in 1977 the year I got into university and got my driving lisense. Except for a friend driving his father's lancia, I had by far the smartest car. Light years ahead of corolas, kadets, escorts, datsuns, etc WVs? 😂

[@davebuts1921]

All Fiats from that age, just need to be driven, rev the nuts and enjoy them. Enjoyed this one mate.

[@dusankocisevic6823]

1.2 60hp in ‘66..? I had a Punto with exactly same power, still in 2020….! (It just had 62 horses occasionally, counting me and my son in it😂😂)

[@howardlake6178]

Arguably, your best video! Loved it! The reasons for rust issues for the majority of cars then, were Sicilian salt. From a salt mine so big, it’s got it’s own church. There was a massive increase in road salting in the UK in that era. The huge cost of steel, meant manufacturers had to use thinner steel. And the move to monocoques.

[@robingray1302]

I would agree with the comment below that the 124 didn't use a rack & pinion but if nothing else this proves (along with the 105 series Alfas) how nice a steering box system can be. My late Father was a dyed in the wool VW Beetle fanatic but I remember accompanying him on a test drive in a very early Berlina, I think I was more impressed than he was, took another 40 years to wean him off VWs whereas I was a Fiat owner 20 years later and have been ever since !!

[@nlpnt]

The Datsun 510 also used a steering box, iirc.

[@rogerpritchard]

My father had one in 1972, excellent car, reliable and he enjoyed it so much he bought a red 125 special.

[@zogzoogler]

Common sight in Poland 15-20 years ago, now rare as hens teeth. Damn you economic prosperity!

[@stephenricketts7764]

These seemed to be everywhere back then and like most cars of that era they did rust but you just accepted that. This one is in excellent condition for the age and is allowed to stall if it wishes to do so. Thanks Jack for another great review. 👍👍

[@JohnIreland-n6o]

Great ride. I was looking at an 1100 and a 1500 and a 128...should have considered one of these. In the end I got a 76 Alfetta gt. But this 124 looks very underrated.

[@MineshShah]

Great video Jack! I heard a rumor that 1990's /early 00's Mercedes were built with cheap Russian steel! 😂

[@domtoni4567]

Ciao Giac, my 1971 Ford Capri (in Chicago) rusted after 18 months. Rust was everywhere on the car after a few years.

[@elpobrouse2277]

I had every model of the 124 and 125, loved all of them. Not only that but every Fiat I owned, if I count them I come to 32. From a 1100R, 1300/1500, all 850 models even Spider over 124 Coupe, Spider and Abarth to 125 Special.

[@kimmorgan379]

Fair point about rust - I remember the Japanese cars of my youth, how reliable they were but how awful they rusted. It was just a feature of motoring. It was more unusual for a car NOT to be half eaten away by the time it was ten years old than anything.

[@timothylanders3189]

Thank you again Jack. You sure have a great life. Driving & reporting on these past motoring icons :)

[@dannyhilarious]

Oh yeah, the very template for the Russian Shyguli/Lada.

[@eugenydemin3023]

Russian internal name was Zhiguli (with a stress on the last syllable), named after hights at the bank of the Volga river, not far from VAZ plant location.

[@bertone83]

It has always been a very underrated car.

[@michaeltb1358]

The original Lotus Elan used the rear disc brakes from the Fiat 124. With separate pads for the handbrake.

[@johnburns4017]

The Elan came out before the 124.

[@peterpetiet7900]

In the nineteen eightees a friend of mine had an Apple Green Lada which was at that time very outdated , steering was VERY heavy , the heater was VERY good ;-)

[@alexpanting4177]

It's funny it may very well handle better than mk1 escort but nobody's picking that over one stylistically it's a disaster it's like an ugly dolomite

[@benzinapaul7416]

Way ahead of the dross being turned out by British manufacturers at the time and also the Germans at this price point. Peugeot and Renault at the time prob the only real rivals to the Fiat unless you paid more money. Great car

[@HAWGGY85]

What a familiar face. :) I'm still driving its derivative today - Lada 2107 which is "luxury" version of FIAT 124/Lada 2101. Actually built it for the Time Attack events - it has roll-cage, turbo engine, disc brakes. It can keep up with modern cars such as Clio RS, BMWs, Nissans 370Z on the Chayka circuit which is in Kyiv, Ukraine. People still use them as cheap workhorses in smaller towns here, but they are rare sight in big cities now. This wasn't the case some 20-25 years ago though - they were everywhere.

[@NicoMeijerman]

So nice to see this! My first car was a 124, already 13 years old at that time. But it was so nice to drive, spacious, good handling and reasonably quick. I later swapped the engine for one from a 124S, 1.4 ltr, 70 bhp. Which made it even more fun to drive. Unfortunately, 4 years later, the rust took over and I had to bring it to the scrap yard. With a lot of pain in my heart.

[@casiwaszkiewicz5196]

Yes, Italy produced leading edge small cars in the ‘60’s. I once had a rusty Fiat127 with a slipping clutch over a weekend. It convinced me that it wasn’t necessary to have a large car to have an enjoyable drive. Lead me to a succession of Fiat Unos that were brilliant. Ranging from a 45ES that made an annual mileage of 30,000 affordable , to a 70SXie that was more than fast enough excepting the mad Turbo.

[@matricious]

Absolutely killing it with these new videos! Cheers!

[@daddyandy9591]

Thank you, I remembered my youth in the USSR. LADA behaves well on mountain roads. You can see which ones by typing IRC Yalta 2011/2012🙂

[@ДаниилКовтунов]

VAZ-2101 was licensed copy with soviet improvements.

[@JSG1901]

Wow...just found your channel and you're hitting all my previous cars...I had two 124 Sedans (later quad-headlight versions), a Lotus Europa Twin-Cam, and a pair of 16-valve Mercedes. I need to see what else you've driven that I've had. Thanks for the great look into my past!

[@simonhjc]

We need to get back to smaller, lighter, well engineered motor cars. As for rust we had datsun 1600 and it only took 2 years from new for the rust to pour out. Thanks again Jack. Best car you tube channel by miles. Nice way to have tea and toast 👍

[@lecleland1]

I owned a124 Spider in 71. I was young and loved it

[@sevesellors2831]

Wonderful car Jack I also loved the 132, and a friend of mine had the 127 and I had a 128 all great little cars with great engineering and loads of character.

[@richcoleman469]

You reminded me that I tried out a 128 in the US in '75 but bought a '72 Pinto and bought a '78 125 in Argentina in '82 after wrecking my '80 Accord

[@Namburiadityasairam2605]

5:58 As an indian fan I'm so happy that an Indian car was mentioned on a channel (one that has an interesting history like the Premier 118) but I have to correct you that Premier 118 wasn't made/on sale in India after the late 1990s which was a while ago now (still late when seeing that the original is a 60s car). We were suffering the same car industry rot that the second world countries were facing, and Premier was far better known for their Padmini series cars which were based on Fiat 1100 (another lovely car!)

[@runoflife87]

Well, the 124 was an important car for 1960's for sure, still I'd rather choose Renault 12 as a defining car because of FWD. The 124 was also assembled by Zastava, just like Pirin Fiat did.

[@fritzhuber6806]

Zastava assembled the 128, NOT 124.

[@runoflife87]

@@fritzhuber6806 according to Serbian members of IMCDB Zastava also assembled small quantity of Fiat 124

[@fritzhuber6806]

@@runoflife87 ah, didn't know that

[@sailingspark9748]

I always wanted a 124 TC. The Berlinetta with the Twin Cam engine.

[@philipsparrow7977]

Nice bit of nostalgia there. In 1975 my Father had a 124 Special T, a hot version with a 1.6 twin cam engine. Fast forward some 18 years, I acquired a 124 coupe with the 1.8 twin cam engine, that was a cool car.

[@megapangolin1093]

Seems a lot more modern than the Mk1 Cortina 1200 that I had around taht time. They both probably rusted the same too. Seemed to drive like the Lada 1200, which was going in the 80s. It has everything (apart from no rack and pinion stieering) that is needed today, no reason to have anything more complicated than this. Great video

[@mikebaginy8731]

I remember the 124 sedan as well as the 125. My first car was a beautiful yellow 1972 124 Coupé which I wish I still owned.

[@loveisall5520]

What a joy to see this beautiful original! Growing up in Texas, I can remember seeing it in the car mags on introduction but we never saw them on the road. I owned a '65 Beetle but rust was never an issue--except those little exhaust tips, which would rust almost from installation. I used to want a Lada but of course they weren't legal for sale here...

[@ghost21501]

My dad had the Lada version of this in Moldova. It made is wealthy.

[@ogisgarage9721]

Fiat was the milkman of Europe, kids everywhere, from SSSR to Egypt

[@bobdadruma]

I became a pro auto tech in the mid 1970's. I loved repairing and driving these cars. They were a bit quirky but they were lovable.

[@smooman792]

One of my all time favourite Fiat's, great review.

[@mariusschrecker4427]

My father had a 124 estate in 1974. It was interesting to hear you say that it could actually stop. Dad described the brakes a "fierce", which he would, coming from a Austin Cambridge A55 MarkII! The brakes quite literally saved his life when another car cartwheeled across the motorway in front of him, just clipping his front after he slammed them on. Originally it had the same grille as the one in your video, but the bodyshop replaced it with the stripey black and chrome one of later cars. Sadly it rusted very badly and as I remember only lasted about 3-4 years, having been referred to as "Your 2-tone fiat (white and rust)"