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The Sign Of Passion
A brief prologue: there was a time at which you look with a certain nostalgia, those years of economic development and social conflicts, when Mirafiori was the “forge of Italy” and where, in addition to churn out cars, they were creating myths on four wheels.
In 1974, it came the Fiat 131 Mirafiori, this name was given it as a gift, because at that time the industrial complex of the same name, reached its peak of production for motor vehicles.
We know the Fiat 131 as quiet midsize sedan, but we want to show it and remember it from its bad and angry side: that of the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally, a sport car in disguise.
Produced between 1976 and 1980, in 400 units required for the approval in Group 4, the 131 Abarth Rally comes from the 131 with 2-door body, but is characterized by the “Abarth treatment”; first, to counter its competitors, the shell was lightened, using doors, hoods and fenders made of synthetic resin, the “body kit” included wheel arches, 15” alloy wheels with Pirelli P7 195/40 VR15 tires, while front and back spoilers guaranteed the required downforce. Finally, you find large air intakes on the hood and both sides, in order to cool the mechanical parts.
The very model of our review, was built in 1977 and was bought in 2001 by the current owner, Giuseppe Rovelli, collector and driver.
During the short stretch of road we have traveled to get to the photos location, Giuseppe has given free rein to the 145 hp. Only a few, you could say, also considering that it is an old school 2.0l. Well, with a Volkswagen Tiguan (2.0 TDi 140 hp), despite the generation gap, we really struggled to keep up with him between the provincial roads just outside Piacenza! The RALLY Abarth badge was not put there by chance.
The colors of the autumn, the pleasant sound of the engine, which occasionally pleased us with some crackling, gave a touch of romance to this uncertain winter Sunday.
When arrived at our location, an abandoned warehouse lost in the outskirts of Piacenza, Davide, one of the photographers, congratulates to our new friend Giuseppe for his “cheerful” driving: his eyes light up a small gleam of mischief: – Well, I always drive like that and in any case, if I went slower, it would not be good for the car! – The thick mustache move clearly showing a barely concealed smile of self-satisfaction. A moment of general hilarity.
Mr. Rovelli, as anticipated, has a background in the world of motor racing: his racing career lasted from 1977 to 1983. The first car that he drove on track was an Autobianchi A112 Abarth 1000 58 hp, with which he gained the 1st place in the Rieti-Terminillo and at Vallelunga; followed by a Renault 5 Turbo, before moving to the 131 Racing Replica with which he reached the first and third position in Monza.
Currently, Giuseppe and his wife participate in rallies and regularity races: – Recently we were at the Autodromo di Franciacorta with the 131, while we attended the MonteCarlo Rally in 2013 with a Delta Evoluzione. Nowadays, their collection includes a Fiat 500 Giannini, Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3, Lancia Beta Montecarlo, Abarth 1000 Replica with 695 body, Lancia Delta Evoluzione, Porsche 930 SC, in addition to the 131 Abarth, protagonist of this review.
Among the cars they owned in the past, we find: Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 GT Junior Gr. 2, Fiat Dino Coupe 2.4, Fiat 130 Coupe: – He ate like a tank, but it was a great car, with a very flexible engine and a refined peculiar aspect: a lever to open the door of the passenger, gentlemen details that today we only dream about. I had a Porsche 912, I kept it short, it was a barge, a Beetle -.
I therefore ask to Mr. Rovelli what fascinated him so much regarding the 131 Abarth Rally. – Simply, I liked the shape, it was love at first sight; at the time I could not afford it, so, for a while I owned the 131 Racing Replica (with which he raced), but it was not the same thing. I could probably sell the other cars, I’ve had models which were better, more beautiful and more powerful, but this one, remains my favorite –
Even Mrs. Rovelli, who has patiently accompanied us during the report, confirms this special bond.
-I drove all his cars, but not this, if I asked him, he wouldn’t say no, but I know he loves it so much. So I ask – Are you so passionate about driving too? – she replies – Such passionate, I don’t know: I’m not into cars like he is, I like to drive them, in particular the Delta and the Porsche. We had a white Mercedes with red leather interior, a “Codine” of the ’60s, that’s also the one I loved. Usually I am his co-driver and I enjoy it even so -.
In the end, I think that these little big stories, makes cars that make us dream so special: anecdotes of real life, dyed with the color of passion, the same as this Fiat 131 Abarth Rally which inflames the hearts of all us, fans of the four wheels.
Edited by Vita di Stile
Words by Giancarlo Gnepo Kla
Photo credits: Federico Vandone dell’Acqua and Davide Maria Pintaldi
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