Sensible Secondhand Classics: 1978 Fiat 127 1050 CL - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

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Welcome to Sensible Secondhand Classics, the series where we take a sensible classic car worth between £1000 and £5000 and put it through its paces in a very straightforward manner! This time, as we drive a 1978 Fiat 127 1050 CL, we get confused about quarter lights and wing mirrors, get slightly apprehensive about brakes with no servo assistance, marvel at 1970s interior colours, and generally experience little of any consequence at all. Nothing untoward then!
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As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
Website: www.lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
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[@127palio]

I can’t avoid commenting on the quarterlights. The button to open them needs to be pressed, before erm opening them. I can also advise that the 127 can fly up Kop Hill, or indeed the other way pastvWhiteleaf Cross. Mr Lloyd was (thank you) very careful with my cars, but Freddie will happily go quicker. He’s usually to be found in the outside lane of the motorway, shoving German cars out of the way. If the link works, this is the Kop Hill climb. Excuse the bleep halfway up, the camera assumed we were having an accident! All within the speed limit this time (I think), but you get the idea, and can hear what a great engine this is 44 years later. 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKrPmKp4qr58qpI

[@127palio]

There is also intermittent. You have to wait for the 3 fast wipes though, before intermittent starts.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, sir! Yes, problems with quarter lights, parking lights and intermittent wipe during the reviews, sadly. I am sure that it can go faster, sir, I was just constantly aware of the lack of servo assisted brakes and the damp conditions.... It is indeed in superb condition.

[@iainhunneybell]

I had a late 1977 1050CL in dark blue. EVERYTHING about takes me back. Seat cover, everything. Loved the car. Have to admit to spending a lot of time under the bonnet but oh, it would go everywhere and nip along.

[@iainhunneybell]

That’s not the original gear stick!

[@richardhaywoodh]

I had a number of these 1978 S & T reg Fiat 127 1050cl cars all mine had 5 speed gearboxes AND a removable Voxon push button removable Radio in the dash on the passenger side where the one you drove had a cubby hole. They drove so well, very nippy, smooth slightly rubbery gear change, much nicer than the equilavent Ford Fiestas. These 127s were much more solid than the later Fiat Uno.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, gearchange was a bit tricky at times (but I managed it), and the brakes are not the best, but very nippy with good handling as long as you wind them up... There is a video of an Uno in the description below, I am hoping to have a go in it next year when it has an MOT. Sounds like your 127s were quite highly specified! Thank you for watching and subscribing.

[@zzhughesd]

Didn’t think I’d enjoy this so much. The paint is lovely . The cloth trim is too. Wow a stylish detachable bag and double speed fan.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I know, sir, total abject luxury with the stylish detachable bag... Amazing car, almost unrestored, with a comically long gear lever.

[@jennydonne8946]

In the 80s my Mum and Step Dad had a 1983 series 3 1049cc super 5 speed in burgundy. It was comfy. Never drove it as was a young teenager at the time. The stalk behind the indicators was to switch between main and dipped beam. The wipers were 2 speed, intermittent and constant, wiped rather fast. When the car was 5 years old, it rusted badly around the tailgate.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching! I did work out what those stalks all did eventually, they do sort of make sense once you know what is going on. So many of these died due to chronic rust, didn't they?

[@stuartsaunders4518]

I love this car!! I had many FIATS over the years, but this reminds me very much of an early 128 my father had. Lots of trim materials seem to of been shared with the 127 Such a shame FIAT no longer make innovative simple stylish cars anymore, there was a time up until the mid 90s when they made extremely good small cars & everyone of mine was always 100% reliable

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, engines and parts were shared between the 127 and 128 to a certain extent. The trim was fascinating, and this car is remarkably original. They had massive popularity with the Uno and Punto back in the day, but that seems to have finished a few years ago.

[@TheAllyMor]

Cool vid. We had a Mk 1 in mustard yellow back in the day. I remember, as a small child sitting in the back and popping the window open just to have the entire thing pop out and smash on the ground!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh sir! That does sound like a bit of a shame. Fortunately, no side windows fell out during the test drive, although we did have some issues with opening the quarter lights.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Another lovely Fiat MR Lloyd, enjoyed every single review of them.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, glad you enjoyed this series!

[@seancooke7332]

Exactly as you described the Fiat 127 was surprisingly roomy, had quite nice seat trim and a lovely smooth 1050 OHC engine. The 900 OHV was a good little unit which actually went into the base model Cinquecento in the early 1990s but it was very slow. It is without doubt a piece of history and they did drive really well. My Mother's first car was a 1973 Series 1 900 which was good reliable, if rusty, transport and my Brother is now custodian of my Grandmother's 1975 Series 1 Special which he restoring.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, glad you enjoyed the video. We did manage to drive this OK despite the lack of servo assisted brakes. Glad to hear that your grandmother's car is now in safe hands! I am sure that these rusted for fun just like most other small cars from the 1970s.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thanks for this video! We had these in New Zealand, although most rusted away! Spot the influence on the Ford Fiesta!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, Ford used 127s with Fiesta engines and running gear for prototype testing before launch.

[@royale4318]

Your prediction was absolutely correct, sir, this is of great interest to me, three of these (an N-reg series 1 903cc Special, followed by a pair of Series 2 1050CLs like this one, an S-reg then a W-reg) having fulfilled the motoring needs of my family over the first seven years of my time on this earth! Many thanks for these memories!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I cannot believe just how nostalgic this little car has turned out to be! I am glad that I saved this one for last. I didn't know much about these at all before I started, but when I was driving it, I felt like I was in some kind of 1970s Italian "giallo" film....

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Now this takes me back sir, memories of watching my dad having the RAC man out to come and jump his 127 Comfort a couple of times but I think his was a later one as it had a different dash or steering wheel and his had black centre caps rather than the silver.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, it could be that it was one of the final facelift ones, which would have had a different dashboard, but also they did make some changes on these Series IIs. How old were you when he had it, sir?

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting about 4 I would say as my dad got a mark 2 fiesta about 1987 to replace the 127.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain , he decided not to get an Uno, then?

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting no I think after borrowed my late grandfather's Sierra, he changed to ford for 10 years plus the local ford garage was a 10 minute walk from his work at the time.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain , people were very loyal to Ford back in the day, weren't they?

[@MrSheymie]

Lovely simple little car in a very nice colour.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

There's not much to this supposed "luxury" version, is there?

[@plechaim]

I remember spotting an orange Seat 127 abroad around 2007. It caught my eye and I took a photo of it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@plechaim , they aren't exactly common either, are they?

[@minimaxi802]

The last time I saw a Fiat 127 on the road was about 11 years ago in 2011, and that was a late Y reg. Even the replacement Uno is very rare today, just 204 still running last year. I am aware of a farmer in rural Lincolnshire who has a very early K reg 127 in his barn since the late 1980s. The 127 was launched as a saloon, but later ones are hatchbacks.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, there is a link to a walkaround of a very well preserved Uno in the description below! It had no MOT, so I couldn't drive it, sadly. Both are stupidly rare. We did discuss the hatchback/saloon question at some point during the review, as far as I am aware.

[@hanske4106]

I had a orange 127 Sport years ago: great fun! The front seats were good I remember. And I know how to open those quarterlights.. They could fall out if the glue on the bottom dried out!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, Mr Bushby found my inability to open the quarterlights most amusing, as well as all the other incompetence which I showed with his cars that day! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Love the high performance sound...

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, under 50 bhp, and still a high performance sound!

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

My dad’s first car. His an early 70s one. We even have it filmed on a old tape from the late 70s . Sadly he didn’t made any pictures from is cars from before i was born , but from his first car the fiat 127 he even got it on tape. From when he was 18 years old. Always interesting to see cars on film or pictures from when they were new in their time

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, glad you have some footage of your father's old 127 from back in the day! They aren't exactly common any more.

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting i never saw one in reallife. Also the next cars he had. The simca 1100 and Skoda 100 never saw one in the wild

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@jdnrotterdam2150 , those are also very rare too, sir!

[@adamtoms2726]

Great example of a 127, which really did kick of the hatchback supermini, and was incredibly popular in the UK at the time. This one is in stunning condition. Another excellent review sir.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Glad you liked it, sir! Mr Bushby looks after this little car extremely well, it was a privilege to drive it.

[@frothe42]

I remember watching Thames TV doing a review on this Fiat in comparison with the Fiesta and Renault 5. That segment is somewhere here on KZbin. Controls are very Fiat at the time of build. Great review as always Joseph!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, sir! Yes, I think I saw that Thames Television video from back in the day. People seem to really love these at the moment.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Very nice Sir! My uncle had one of these - I think the same year and trim level, but in signal yellow. A really interesting and characterful little Italian car. But it’s the Sport and Palio versions that I really like.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, they do seem to be quite popular, and Mr Bushby has a Palio Special Edition, as you know. The brochure was absolutely fantastic.

[@zebedep]

Great review! When it was current, the Fiat 127 had to compete with the likes of the Datsun 100A/120A, Vauxhall Chevette, Renault 5, etc. There was also the van version, the 127 Fiorino.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you! Yes, lots of competition at the time. Those Fiorinos lasted until at least 1987, I think.

[@rockall66]

I remember a Motor Magazine group test in 1978 commenting on the detachable bag, they mentioned such bags were commonplace for men on the Continent, but they thought British men would be too embarrassed to use it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I am sure in Italy that such a stylish detachable bag would be the must have accessory for fashionable gentlemen, but I think that over here, such an item would be an embarrassment.

[@richardhaywoodh]

I had a couple of these including an S reg 1050cc drove beautifully, had a removable Voxon radio in the dash infront of the passenger, bright yellow, they were less roomy than the later Uno but they felt crisper to drive and better built than the Unos

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Once you get used to it, you can actually corner quite fast in these little cars. I was properly privileged to drive this amazing little car, one from a brilliant collection of older Fiats. The owner also had an Uno, which I also filmed on the channel last year, but sadly I was not able to drive it as it had no MOT. Glad this brought back memories!

[@richardhaywoodh]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes I enjoyed driving the 127s (crisp & nippy) much more than the Fiesta mk1 and latter Unos

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The 127s do seem to have a quality all of their own.

[@roygardiner2229]

For a forty four year old car that has spent some years in a garden it looks to be in very good condition. I don't know if there is a lot of hidden rust. I do find it charming.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Glad you like it, sir! No rust on this one from what I understand. I can't believe it hasn't been painted since it was in that garden.

[@aslandama]

A lovely clean example.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's in absolutely amazing condition. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching!

[@Koulis_]

Always had a soft spot for these. They seemed to improve in looks as they aged and got facelifted culminating in the Sport.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, my uncle had a very late 1050 in the 1990s, which was the final facelift. The lack of servo assisted brakes was a bit scary, but I managed. Thank you again for watching!

[@seanburke5686]

Bought one of these from my big brother back in the day , he had added all the 127 sport extras to it seats, decals and spoilers etc, what he failed to mention was he glued said spoilers to the car rather than the normal screws and nuts . the car looked great when i bought it, however after one trip to the jetwash , it undressed itself quicker than a horny teenager, something which my bro still denies to this day is his handywork .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching! My uncle had one of these (albeit a Series III) about thirty years ago, so it was interesting to have a go, especially in one in this sort of condition. The one your brother modified sounds...interesting!

[@seanburke5686]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting lol 😂 yep my bro sure liked using araldite !!! Loving yr reviews fella, kind regards.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@seanburke5686 , well, there are something like 430 reviews on the channel now, across the different playlists, and I have over 20 ready to publish as well, so if you have trouble sleeping at night, you know what to do.

[@seanburke5686]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting copy that 👍👍

[@johnr4459]

had a 127 sport in 1984/85 t reg, black with orange trim, quite flash back then but looks well dated now

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sounds like a lot of fun, I have seen a couple of them around, and they do look very good, even if they are dated. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching!

[@mattw8332]

Very nice! Never realised that there were any forbidden fuel versions available on the 127. Always surprised me that the Yugo 45 and 55 were based on these as although I can see some Fiat influence in them, it doesn't look like a 127 with it's more breadvan appearance.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes sir, we cannot discuss such engines other than acknowledging their existence... The Yugo 45 was indeed based on one of these, the older Yugos were based more on the 128, I think.

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

Yugo 45 was based on the underpinnings of this.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Why it was indeed, sir! Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting indeed sir! I have a favour to ask of you. I'll email you

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@thatguyfromcetialphaV , e-mail has been received sir, thank you!