Fiat 128
(1969 - 1976)
Car articles about Fiat 128 by year
This hobby Super Test is an exception. For the first time, the jury that tests and then evaluates the vehicles consists not only of specialist journalists and experts, but also of hobby magazine readers! Together with specialist journalists, they test the NSU 1200 C, Simca 1100 and Fiat 128 models in various tasks. Braking tests, climbing extreme inclines and, of course, a subsequent evaluation of the vehicles are not to be missed!
The Fiat 128 was launched on the West German market in the fall of 1969 as a half-finished clunker. Gross manufacturing defects and glaring technical weaknesses quickly ruined the reputation of the small saloon that had been so hopefully anticipated. Fiat quickly made improvements. How did the "disappointment of the year" of 1969 fare around six months later? This historical test report reveals the answer.
Gone were the days in the seventies when hardly anyone drove small cars, because in the age of parking space shortages and second cars, short, agile cars with as little superfluous sheet metal as possible were in demand like never before. Especially if they were also a bit sporty. The four candidates in the 1974 comparison test - Fiat 128 Rally, Simca 1000 Rallye 2, Autobianchi A 112 Abarth and Mini 1275 GT - had to prove themselves both in everyday traffic and on the Hockenheimring.
In 1971, Fiat presented the new 128 Coupé, intended for everyday use and the not-too-large family, as a competitor to the Ford Capri, the Opel Manta and the Renault 15/17. The significantly larger successor to the 850 Coupé benefited from the modern technology of the 128 saloon, which had already been presented in 1969, and managed to establish itself on the market and with buyers thanks to its low prices and excellent driving performance. Today, the early coupés with a hip swing and no tailgate have become particularly rare, but this report portrays an early example with less than 20,000 km on the clock that looks almost like it did on day one. And of course you can hear it too.
In 1969, Fiat presented an innovative successor to the Fiat 1100. The Fiat 128 had a transverse front engine that drove the front wheels. And this engine was a bravura piece, with a modern design and incredibly high revs. As early as 1971, the 1.1-liter was followed by a 1.3-liter; as the Fiat 128 rallye, the conservatively styled sedan now produced 67 hp and ran at over 150 km/h. This meant that more expensive sports cars could be blown away. This driving report describes the history of the Fiat 128, describes the "rally" version and shows historical and current pictures, including sound samples.
Five mid-range coupés from four countries were compared by the magazine 'hobby' in 1975: Toyota Celica, Ford Capri II, Renault R15, Fiat 128 SL and VW Scirocco. And the question was whether the beauty of the cars would win out over their reduced utility value. This carefully edited original comparison test from 1975 reproduces the text and findings and is illustrated with many additional archive images.
The Berlinetta was Fiat's second attempt to turn the 128 front-wheel drive saloon into an appealing sports model. The attempt - after bodywork tweaks and conversion into an estate coupé - was largely successful. The result was a car with an appealing design that was safe to drive, economical and well equipped for the price. The test report from 1975 summarizes its strengths and weaknesses.
Current market prices for Fiat 128
2-Door Sedan, 54 PS, 1116 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 54 PS, 1116 cm3
null, 54 PS, 1116 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 54 PS, 1116 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 54 PS, 1116 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 60 PS, 1283 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 60 PS, 1283 cm3
Coupe, 64 PS, 1116 cm3
Coupe, 75 PS, 1283 cm3
Coupe, 64 PS, 1116 cm3
Coupe, 75 PS, 1283 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of Fiat 128
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIAT 128 1972 Sold Garage 61 Eppan Sale (September 26, 2015) |
128 | 1972 | Sold | Garage 61 Eppan Sale (September 26, 2015) | |
| FIAT 128 Familiare 1971 Sold Garage 61 Garage 61 Auktion (September 24, 2016) |
128 Familiare | 1971 | Sold | Garage 61 Garage 61 Auktion (September 24, 2016) | |
| FIAT 128 1973 Sold Coys London (May 18, 2017) |
128 | 1973 | Sold | Coys London (May 18, 2017) | |
| FIAT 128 SL 1972 Not Sold H&H Classics The Chateau Impney Hillclimb Motor Car Auction (July 11, 2015) |
128 SL | 1972 | Not Sold | H&H Classics The Chateau Impney Hillclimb Motor Car Auction (July 11, 2015) | |
| FIAT 128 Sport L 1973 Not Sold Coys Motorworld Classics Berlin (October 7, 2017) |
128 Sport L | 1973 | Not Sold | Coys Motorworld Classics Berlin (October 7, 2017) | |
| FIAT 128 Special 1974 Sold Garage 61 Eppan Sale (September 26, 2015) |
128 Special | 1974 | Sold | Garage 61 Eppan Sale (September 26, 2015) | |
| Fiat 128 3P Coupé 1970 Not Sold Iconic Auctioneers NEC Classic Motor Show Sale (November 8, 2025) |
128 3P Coupé | 1970 | Not Sold | Iconic Auctioneers NEC Classic Motor Show Sale (November 8, 2025) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of Fiat 128
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