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Featured: Just Because: It's Time You Fell In Love With The Stylish Fiat 124 Coupé

Just Because: It’s Time You Fell In Love With The Stylish Fiat 124 Coupé

By Michael Banovsky
November 24, 2015

Photography by Luca Garau and Mauro Prevete

If you decide to seek out a more modest classic car, your options are nearly limitless. There’s something for everyone, and those with creativity, time, and a bit of money will easily find joy on the fringes of the market. Take the Fiat 124 Sport Coupé, for instance.

Italian photographers Luca Garau and Mauro Prevete captured this later production 1972 example, with a Lampredi-designed 1,756-cc 4-cylinder engine, hotter Colombi cams, high compression pistons, and ported cylinder heads. Brakes and electrics were uprated, and the only external update made were the addition of wheels from a 1982 Maserati Biturbo. After all, the design by Mauro Boano is still timeless today.

Seen here in Sardinia, the car blends in perfectly with the local scenery. It’s almost enough to wonder what the 124 Sport Coupé would look like on an early morning drive down the PCH.

These photos were taken by the awesome Sardinia-based photographers at 2CROMIA; you can follow them on Facebook or visit their website.

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124 Sport Coupé Fiat Italian
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cadbytim@gmail.com
cadbytim@gmail.com
5 years ago

My first Sports Car, at 20 YO, in 1980 I swore I was Niki Lauda! Quite exotic with a 5 speed, 4WD, Lampredi twin cam and 4 link rear end. It was an excellent car for a young F1 fan to learn cornering, braking, and simple servicing. It was underpowered with decent binders and, like many of that era, easy to change points and plugs. Parts fell off, but it never really broke.
Best problem…when the winter temp would drop below 35ish degrees (invariably at 2 am), the contacts inside the steering wheel would meet, setting off the air horn.
Loved this car!

3
Michael Russell
Michael Russell
6 years ago

1972 FIAT 124 Sport: Mine was deep blue with beige leather interior — it burned blue a little (not much) — generally it was a great car and one of my very first cars, so this brings back good memories on all levels!

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Steve Schmidt
Steve Schmidt
6 years ago

Like many classic cars that were face-lifted over their lifespan, it’s often the first model of a series that embodies the purest design. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for subsequent models to be less edgy. With the 124 Coupe, it’s the AC that captured the essence of the marque.

2
jim
jim
6 years ago

this car is a 1973 model-cc coupe

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Andrew
Andrew
7 years ago

I had a 1971 Mk2 which, in my opinion, was the best of the three. It’s one of the few cars and wish I’d still got.

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Michael J. Kane
Michael J. Kane
8 years ago

When I lived in Sicily in the late 80’s I had a 1974 124 Sport with the 1800cc (1794 really) engine. I loved driving that car. I know there are a lot of Fiat haters out there, but properly cared for it was a blast to drive. The sound of that twin-cam 4 at full song was awesome. Mine had been fitted with dual Weber 44 carbs. Once I mastered tuning those it was all good. Great little car, cheap to buy and fun to drive. Parts were plentiful and cheap.

1
Jack Gabus
Jack Gabus
8 years ago

My second car in High School. Made me totally appreciate Porsche.

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Alessio Zamo Di Felice
Alessio Zamo Di Felice
8 years ago

That’s mine 124. Outstanding engine: it’s a fury! I’m sad to say that I’m going to sell soon…

-1
Stephan P
Stephan P
8 years ago

I’ve said it before but it’s the only car I regret selling. One of the best dashboard designs ever.
@Walter Gomez. I had a chance to get my cousins Seat from Spain when he passed away. I had just imported my Fulvia and was not really in position to import another car so I passed. Boy do I regret that now.

1
Singerowner
Singerowner
8 years ago

I had two of these, both ’69’s and a 124 Special sedan before that. Drove the Coupes through my university years and loved them. The 1400cc engine is the sweet one in my opinion.
More a poor man’s Ferrari than a poor man’s Alfa to a poor student back in the day,,,and a big chick magnet in bright red!
One I wish I had kept!
Wish the ‘new’ Fiata was going to get a Coupe version!

1
Mark D.
Mark D.
8 years ago

This is one of the few cars I truly miss. I’ve owned a lot of them and this was one of my favorites, it didn’t demand anything from me and I didn’t owe it anything. Just get in and drive, two or three hundred miles was fun and hassle free. Apparently I have owned a lot of junk.

1
Steve Perry
Steve Perry
8 years ago

I had a 69. I liked the front end better than the later models and I also liked the Cromodora wheels. The car was fast and lovely to drive, but the electrical system was a nightmare. I got so I carried 2 generators around and could change them one in 20 minutes. I once drove from Flagstaff, AZ to Albuquerque. NM in 3½ hours. Nice high 5th gear.

0
Viktor Gómez
Viktor Gómez
8 years ago

,,, I can say!… I have one.
but the 1600 c.c. BC (Seat)
The sound of her two twin carburetors (WEBER 40 “) is a heavenly music…. mmmmmmmm

2
Peter Tabmow
Peter Tabmow
8 years ago

It’s just a shame the nose of this car became uglier with each generation while the interior became nicer with each refresh…

1
Theo de Jong
Theo de Jong
8 years ago

Looks like the Peugeot 504 coupe….

0
John Calia
John Calia
8 years ago

Well, I had one of these in the mid-70’s. I think it was a ’69. It was considered to be a poor man’s Alfa and it was wonderful to drive. Front wheel bearings went out pretty quickly. It needed a head job at about 35,000 miles and wouldn’t start in the rain. (It took some real detective work to find the faulty/leaky relay that caused it). Caveat Emptor!!

1
Sté Phane
Sté Phane
8 years ago

That’s exactly the kind of review I needed ! I am thinking of buying a second classic and am looking to Italian 4 seaters form the 60’s and 70’s.

Bertone are too expensive and Alfetta GTV interior, lack a bit of class. So I was thinking of a Lancia Flavia.

But your article reminded me of this 124 coupe. Thanks a lot !

1
Frank Anigbo
Frank Anigbo
8 years ago
Reply to  Sté Phane

Winston, also take a look at the Fiat 2300 Coupe if you have not already. Not sure what they cost these days but for years, not that much. Petrolicious did a film on one (my all-time favorite!) but I can’t find it in the archives.

I think I may have just talked myself into a 2300 Coupe…

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