The luxury Italian car you've possibly never heard of - Fiat 130 coupé | Tyrrell's Classic Workshop

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  • Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
  • After an absence of 40 years, Iain takes the wheel of an expensive Italian luxury car that you've probably never heard of... the Fiat 130 coupé. Sharing some similarities with other Italian luxury cars, Iain delves into why this particular model is so obscure and how to unleash the trademark Italian performance from its 3.2 litre V6 engine. In an abandoned warehouse, the inner 19-year-old Iain makes a reappearance in a puff of tyre smoke, exhaust fumes and Blue Stratos.
    This video was brought to you by Aston Lark - www.astonlark.com/tyrrellswor...
    Supported by Eurospares - www.eurospares.co.uk/
    Camera by Whipp3dCream - whipp3dcream.com/
    Post-production by Aviant Digital Media
    Follow Iain on Instagram: / iain_tyrrell
    Follow Iain on Facebook: / iain-tyrrell-moments-2...
    00:00 Introduction
    01:05 When Iain was 19
    04:47 Here's why you've never heard of it
    09:07 Fettled by Guy Croft
    10:48 How did it compare to other cars at the time?
    12:36 There are two of them!
    15:08 50bhp per litre? We can do better than that!
    17:10 Driving the Fiat 130 after 40 years
    27:40 Iain the professional
    28:31 Outro
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1 тис.

  • @maxheeschter3009
    @maxheeschter3009 Рік тому +462

    In my car park, a Swiss gentleman has stored a gunmetal grey Fiat 130 coupe, a black Citroen DS 21 Pallas and another grey Peugeot 504 coupe which he all uses as daily drivers. I applaud that man for his tremendous style in cars every time I see him.

    • @Inazuma68
      @Inazuma68 Рік тому +11

      Swiss are the best
      Schwizer sind di Beschte 😎

    • @maxheeschter3009
      @maxheeschter3009 Рік тому +7

      @@Inazuma68 die netten Leute aus dr Schwiz sind mir grundsätzlich extrem sympathisch ;) besonders die mit gutem Geschmack

    • @gerryjamesedwards1227
      @gerryjamesedwards1227 Рік тому +14

      That gentleman has exquisite taste, indeed! Out of the three gems, the 504 coupe would be the one I'd lust after most, personally.

    • @maxheeschter3009
      @maxheeschter3009 Рік тому +8

      and it's actually the one of the three which is in the best condition. they are all well maintained and loved, but the 504 looks like it just came out of the factory and it has never been restored

    • @chrissdavey
      @chrissdavey Рік тому +2

      Great choices 👍 Excellent taste.

  • @amcluesent
    @amcluesent Рік тому +176

    Iain matching his trousers to the upholstery is going above and beyond

  • @ggilroy4554
    @ggilroy4554 Рік тому +4

    These quirky Italian coupes alway make my heart jump.. Blaming my dad for this defect, because of his taste, driving cars like this and a Lancia Gamma Coupe when I was a young..

  • @davesmith60
    @davesmith60 Рік тому +78

    As usual, thanks to the owner for letting us all ride along in this fantastic car. You just shared it with 25,000 or so grateful people.

  • @peterhopkins7049
    @peterhopkins7049 Рік тому +4

    I owned one of these cars in Dublin for several years and loved it. It was silver with blue interior. It caused me little or no trouble other than the carb icing up as I had converted it to run on car gas due to a petrol shortage. A weak point was the timing belt which required very frequent changing to avoid catastrophic engine damage. Fuel lines close to the carb also needed attention due to heat, which left unattended failed and caught fire. There was also a 130 saloon which shared the same chassis and drive train but was made by Fiat themselves. Rust was the dreaded enemy and unfortunately robbed me of a superb car.

  • @Matteo_Licata
    @Matteo_Licata Рік тому +131

    Well, it was already evident you are a man of impeccable taste, Mr. Tyrrell, and your fondness for the Fiat 130 only confirms that! As you've pointed out, it had the wrong badge and the timing of its release was unfortunate, but it sure is the finest car Fiat has ever made. A thing of beauty that would have deserved much more success.

    • @macacoeletrico2963
      @macacoeletrico2963 Рік тому +11

      Dear Matteo. Good to see you here! What happened to your video about the fiat 130? For me it is no longer available. It's a shame because I simply love watching it, even more so now that I managed to acquire one of the only 5 units of the 130 Coupé that arrived in Brazil, all in 1974. Just two of which survived and mine is the most original and complete (with manual transmission, by the way)

    • @zal_models
      @zal_models Рік тому +6

      happy to see you here Mr Roadster Life!

  • @The63Jazz
    @The63Jazz Рік тому +52

    My grandfather ran a fiat dealership and he had a chocolate brown one in circa ‘74 followed by a blue one. The blue one came along after our red setter ate the interior of the brown one! Stunning car.

  • @davidh2022
    @davidh2022 Рік тому +3

    Thank you so much! I turned 50 this year - my Father had a silver over blue 130 and a Lancia Gamma Coupe and Saloon. Brings back so many memories sitting in the back with ABBA on the cassette player!

  • @rotatoryrotisserie3619
    @rotatoryrotisserie3619 Рік тому +19

    "Well here I am ensconced in several acres of 1970s bright orange dralon, and loving every second of it".
    Never before were these words combined, and rarely could be found a more delicious sentence.
    Iain, I salute you. Excellent video, too (as always). Bravo!

  • @markdoyle6414
    @markdoyle6414 Рік тому +3

    I would bet my bottom dollar those seats like the ones in a Mercedes featured on the channel are 400 million times more comfortable and welcoming that a leather seat. Love the car and that interior is just something else.

  • @richardbarnham2750
    @richardbarnham2750 Рік тому +2

    In 1976 I worked for the UK FIAT importer a direct subsiduary of the Italian company. Their offices on the Great West Road Brentford on the outskirts of London were modelled on the Italian factories with a car park on the roof of the building. I had to do a stock check. Amongst the mix of new unregistered vehicles were three or four 130 coupes the last of the ones imported which had been there some time.
    I opened the drivers door of one and it pulled the hinges out of the A post (doors were very heavy). Your comments about corrosion were a substantial understatement. I am exceptoonally suprised that any 130 coupe is not a pile of rust flakes by now. They were a superb looking car as with most Italians great engineering flawed by their sheet metal.

  • @dariodeagostini5176
    @dariodeagostini5176 Рік тому +53

    wow, I never thought I would see a fiat130 featured in this channel. As an Italian I am quite fond of these cars... I am also surprised about how the design is actually more pleasant now, than it was 50 years ago. Really good job they did there.

  • @TheAslakVind
    @TheAslakVind Рік тому +3

    Oh that sound in the empty warehouse, like Pavarotti! Clarkson would surely describe it more sensually!

  • @wbrenne
    @wbrenne Рік тому +4

    Small correction on the cambelt: The first car produced in series featuring a cambelt engine was the Glas 1004 from the Hans Glas GmbH, a family-owned carmaker based in Dingolfing, Bavaria, which was taken over by BMW in the late 1960s.

  • @1240enzo
    @1240enzo Рік тому +2

    I have known of the Fiat 130 be it coupe and/or sedan since I was around 14. I am
    63 now. I have owned a metallic blue 3.2,sedan in the past, while my brother has 2 coupes and 2 sedans. Such an under-rated but superb car. Values are slowly rising for the best examples these days, as they should.
    What’s interesting with the example in Iain’s shop is that it has 3 carbs and is a manual. Most 130s were autos. i have never seen a 3 carb setup on a 130, from the factory they only came with one carburettor.
    What a magnificent engine/induction and exhaust sound this particular car makes. Thankyou Iain 😁, and yes Guy Croft was so good at his job.

  • @Grendizer81
    @Grendizer81 Рік тому +4

    I need to hear that sound in person. This video surely sounds delicious, but I'm afraid it won't do it any justice.

  • @andrewsalmon100
    @andrewsalmon100 Рік тому +4

    I had two of these. Had one then I went ahead and bought a second! The second was that blue. So many fun trips. I drove it 600 miles to my parent's home in outback Australia and back. Three up. Luggage. High speed. Fantastic ride. Easy. I want another one please.

  • @edivollgas719
    @edivollgas719 Рік тому +3

    Think the designers of the Ford Granada sold in Germany took several inspirations exterior and interior from this car. Had some dejavu to my childhood watching the video.

  • @stevefrost5417
    @stevefrost5417 Рік тому +2

    Fantastic to see the 130 coupe on the road - I remember walking at lunch time from work in Leicester in the 1970's down Blackbird Rd. where a Fiat dealership was located to see a Blue / Black 130 coupe holding pride of place in the showroom - Mesmerized to see this beauty in the flesh - I couldn't believe it was a Fiat and to this day - I'm now retired - I spent a good 10 minutes walking round it and later told my dad - a dyed in the wool Rover / Jag man what a great looking motor I had seen .He scoffed at the idea that any Fiat could garner such adulation but I've carried that picture in my head all these years since - Brilliant

  • @klwthe3rd
    @klwthe3rd Рік тому +3

    It's nice to see Ian share his fond memories of one of his first cars. Honestly, FIAT's have been imported in the US all during the 19070's but i didn't remember this car. Some other commenters stated that the coupe was never imported. That may be true. I have to admit that i love the boxy styling and long horizontal headlamps. I can see why the Rolls Royce Caramgue was styled after this car. It's just beautiful.

    • @francispowell1811
      @francispowell1811 Рік тому +1

      Regrettably, neither 130, sedan or coupe, were ever imported into the US. The Pinnifarina styling is very apparent.

  • @grayfool
    @grayfool Рік тому +20

    The first time I came across the 130 was in a Motor magazine road test around 1973. I remember just staring at the photos not believing this stunning car could possibly be a FIAT. It still looks incredible today.

  • @kll1597
    @kll1597 Рік тому +3

    I’ll potter when Harry’s Garage is on but when it’s time for ITCW I’m stopped and in the zone 😍

  • @salar7735
    @salar7735 21 день тому +1

    "I had a slight altercation with a very fixed lamppost unfortunately" is a genius way to describe it

  • @RasheedKhan-he6xx
    @RasheedKhan-he6xx Рік тому +14

    Loved hearing the name of Leonard Setright after so long. My favourite motoring journalist bar none. His writing was of literary quality, his humour dry and his passion for cars unquestionable.

    • @markpink
      @markpink Рік тому +2

      I used to buy Car magazine just for LJKS...
      Although he was a bit over the top in his praise for Bristols!

    • @RasheedKhan-he6xx
      @RasheedKhan-he6xx Рік тому +2

      @@markpink Haha yes he did like those but luckily enough, I do too! I had the pleasure of meeting Tony Crook once at the London showroom. I was early for an appointment in the area and was killing time looking in the window when he came outside and invited me in. I said I didn't want to waste his time as I was not a likely customer to which he replied he was retired but "they're kind enough to let me hang around the shop". He then proceed to delight me with some amazing stories and even took me down to their basement parking to show me some of their hidden gems. An unforgettable experience for me overall. What a charming and delightful man.

  • @julianoverall6575
    @julianoverall6575 Рік тому +3

    Thank you for highlighting this wonderful grand tourer. Another lovely coupe I'm an admirer of is the Lancia Gamma Coupe. Both are drop-dead gorgeous and rare as hen's teeth.

  • @Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab
    @Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab Рік тому +6

    Looks like a Ford Cortina Mk.2 at the rear? My Dad had a 131 SuperMirafiori and that was a great car! 👍🏻

  • @GordonWishart
    @GordonWishart Рік тому +3

    I saw a silver one in Riyadh in 1999 covered in dust and sand. It had done only 9,000 kms abandoned in a hotel car park. It was still there in 2010 when I went back to work there again. It’s probably still there. A truly lovely car

  • @rponiarski
    @rponiarski Рік тому +15

    When I was living in Bologna, Italy, studying medicine and teaching English to a local "professore", his car was a Fiat 130 coupe, also in blue. It was an automatic and we went out a few times. Awesome machine. Thanks for the memories.

  • @andrepienaar6459
    @andrepienaar6459 Рік тому +4

    We guys will never grow up!! I am 71 and this video brought the hooligan out in me. I had a 1964 Triumph 2000 mk1 when I was a telecom tech apprentice with the twin resonator exhaust. It also sounded quite good on the road, especially between buildings and it had that nice rumbling sound when reversing into a garage.

  • @genepoole1771
    @genepoole1771 Рік тому +11

    As a child travelling in Europe with my parents in 1977, I saw several of these and fell in love with their clean, nimble beauty. Nearly 50 years later I have found the same feeling again from this video.

  • @chrisloukes424
    @chrisloukes424 Рік тому +9

    Certainly heard of this beauty - the 130 saloon was equally jaw-dropping.

  • @nickhigginsonmusic
    @nickhigginsonmusic Рік тому +4

    Saw one parked up in Blackpool a few years back. What a great looking machine. It was light blue metallic. Never knew they existed up to that point.

  • @philipsparrow7977
    @philipsparrow7977 Рік тому +3

    When I was still at school in about 1984 or there abouts, there was one of these wonderful things that would occasionally cruise through the local high street, a village called Stalham in Norfolk as it happens. But even at such a slow speed the thing sounded fabulous.

  • @andrewbaker7548
    @andrewbaker7548 Рік тому +4

    My father's friend had a Fiat 130 in blue, I remember seeing it sat outside our house in 1976, amazing. He sold it and bought a Citroen SM, I thought he was so cool and his cars amazing

  • @adzy166
    @adzy166 Рік тому +2

    Fabulous. Family friend had one when I was a kid and I thought it was the coolest thing. Such understated style. Excellent video, thanks very much

  • @mklohk
    @mklohk Рік тому +5

    The humble Fiat 124 (+spider) had an alloy DOHC engine with rubber belt since '68. Very nice engines indeed.

  • @Ingleson-Grey
    @Ingleson-Grey Рік тому +13

    I have been waiting and waiting for this to be featured, one of my all time underrated favourites

    • @Ingleson-Grey
      @Ingleson-Grey Рік тому +4

      @John Smith a poorly constructed sentence on my part. One of my all-time favourite cars, that is underrated.

  • @saturninofantetti828
    @saturninofantetti828 Рік тому +20

    I certainly remember the Fiat 130 coupe. I did my apprenticeship in a large Fiat dealership in the seventies and working on them, one the bosses had one as his personal car. The dealership was run by a family and all their cars were parked in the workshop in strict order - Aston Martin DB8 - Jaguar 4.2c - Ferrari Dino 246GTS - Fiat 130 coupè. Happy memories.

  • @cliffthelightning
    @cliffthelightning Рік тому +2

    I love the restrained beauty of these. I saw a silver one with a red interior recently and it was stunning.

  • @giusepperescigno1657
    @giusepperescigno1657 Рік тому +2

    Congratulations for this fascinating story and the way it is told. I am clearly Italian and listening to this makes me a bit nostalgic.

  • @monkeymansean2
    @monkeymansean2 Рік тому +10

    I always thought my X1/9 with a stock exhaust and 85hp sounded amazing too. Fiat really knew how to make an exhaust note sound amazing

  • @elmoreguess441
    @elmoreguess441 Рік тому +4

    Dear Mr. Tyrell. The sound in the old warehouse is simply the best sound I have heard in many years. Thank you for still being a sound lover! Around 1985 I could have bought the same model in the same color and with yellow headlights. Unfortunately, I did not take the chance. I could still kick myself in the butt.... This post is a pleasure and cheered me up at the right time. Thank you for this

    • @noth606
      @noth606 Рік тому

      Not much use thinking of what could have been, I was once offered a Ferrari Dino for 8 million lire by a friend of my mom, in decent condition but needed to be looked over as it hadn't run in a few years, would have needed fluids, probably some seals, new tires, at minimum but no one knew as it had just sat in a garage. I was too chicken then and didn't go for it, I was 18yo and the 8 mill would have been all my money for quite some time.

  • @graham6229
    @graham6229 Рік тому +2

    I have owned three Fiat 140 Sports two of which have a similar genesis to that car you have. They were both amazing bits of kit and I wish I still owned my dark blue one. Great video as usual and what a sound from the exhaust of your car. Wow !

  • @santosh911
    @santosh911 10 місяців тому +3

    I remember a writer for Classic and Sportscar had quite an obsession with these 130's as well as Lancia Flaminias.

  • @davidd1930
    @davidd1930 Рік тому +9

    I've always considered the 130 one of the most simple and beautiful cars ever made

  • @miamimo70
    @miamimo70 Рік тому +5

    The pot holed roads are really beginning to irritate, everywhere 🙄 - fab car

  • @Omnihil777
    @Omnihil777 Рік тому +2

    I tell you, it's not easy to get a smile on my face from a video, but that sound, that exhaust, wow, or like we say in germany : geil.

  • @Dan_druft
    @Dan_druft Рік тому +28

    Back in 1985 I started subcontracting to a car body and sprayshop. The owner had one of these cars along with around 5 or 6 others that he used for parts. His main car was the same colour as this and he wanted me to maintain the body work. The car was immaculate because if he found anything wrong he wanted it fixed. What a fantastic car it was.

  • @ML66B
    @ML66B Рік тому +5

    There was a FIAT dealership in the Lanarkshire village where I grew up in the 70's. I remember seeing one of these there. I also met Graham Hill there when he unveiled the Mirafiori!

  • @frebuton2016
    @frebuton2016 Рік тому +16

    Thank you for sharing this. I grew up in Zurich Switzerland and my mothers cousin had a 130 sedan. It was silver with grey velour seats and automatic transmission. I remember as a 10 year old, it had a tiny black shift knob, lots of wood and red lights in the doors. It was such a treat to get a ride with it. My parents only had a white 1972 Datsun Sunny 1200 with black vinyl seats.

  • @MrSparklespring
    @MrSparklespring Рік тому +1

    Also fourty years ago : I was a boy at the age of twelve and already car crazy. Every summer we went on holidays to the posh seaside resort of Knokke-Le Zoute in Belgium. (Me being from Antwerp, Belgium). There was a sort of walk through gallery which was a short cut to go to the beach. In that gallery Fiat cars were exposed some six or seven in a row. I remember even the brand new smell of them when I admired the 850 coupé and spider, the 'normal' four door 130 and this masterpiece (in metallic middle grey) the 130 coupé. That was certainly my favourite. Thank you for that trip down memory lane!

  • @tomyost6330
    @tomyost6330 6 місяців тому +1

    I have owned, for various amounts of time, a '74 128 ugly green wagon, '77 131 2 door 5 speed, '81 Brava 2 door 5 speed, '81 Strada (Ritmo), also '82 Strada, and presently, and for the longest time, a '75 124 Sport Coupe in yellow. I've owned many brands but Fiats were always my favorite. Peace! From Syracuse, N.Y., USA.

  • @histriamagna1014
    @histriamagna1014 Рік тому +6

    The design of the car has aged beautifully. Clean and simple. Timeless.

  • @worldofrandometry6912
    @worldofrandometry6912 Рік тому +11

    Very rare machine. Nice to see tyres with a decent depth of sidewall again too.

  • @martinmcdonald4207
    @martinmcdonald4207 10 місяців тому +1

    I was born in`62 so i was very impressed when i saw one of these Fiat 130 not long after i saw the 4 door Fiat 130. Very impressive in the metal for this young 10 year old when the only other players were the usual German, British and even French producers and even those makers high end cars were as rare as hens teeth. I know what you mean about Fiats and fixed lamp post`s. My friend wrapped his Fiat 127 around one back in `81, unfortunatley i was sitting in the front passenger seat at the time of impact! Slainte.

  • @kevinbray9550
    @kevinbray9550 Рік тому +1

    It's great these survivor cars are still out there. It's not logical that you would buy one instead of a Jag XJ. It's not logical that you would restore one over a Ferrari but you have to admire the mavericks of this world who take a path less trodden. Bravo !

  • @a.brounz
    @a.brounz Рік тому +62

    God I love these types of episodes on Mr. Tyrrell's channel

  • @dude_1965
    @dude_1965 Рік тому +15

    "but what I have found is an empty warehouse" 😂🤣 Brilliant video as always, thanks Ian for taking the time 👌

  • @AlanDepledge5
    @AlanDepledge5 Рік тому

    Splendid video of an almost unknown Fiat. I was a salesman at a small Fiat dealership in Somerset in the late 1970’s. The boss did club rallies (with a 124 Abarth Spider) and needed a tow ‘barge’ to transport it to events. They happened to have a written off 130 Coupe. So one of our brilliant mechanics took the engine from the 130, mated it to a 5 speed manual box and fitted this into a Ford Transit mini-bus. I was one of the first to drive it up the road. Amazing vehicle and an excellent showcase for the dealership. I have been a Fiat fan ever since - v happy days.

  • @danwedderburn5550
    @danwedderburn5550 Рік тому +2

    I started work as a car cleaner on a Saturday as a young 14yr old at a local service station / car sales in 1976. The owner of the business was always buying flash cars for himself to use. I could drive at that age & one of my jobs each saturday was to clean the bosses car & fill it up with fuel. I had the privilege then of driving one of these back then & loved it, it was so unique. Others i drove & cleaned from memory were Daimler double six, XJS, Rolls Royce shadow, a huge Cadillac, many XJ6. I was so lucky looking back.

  • @grandepho1
    @grandepho1 Рік тому +25

    It is a wonderful thing to hear the two great names-Mr. Tyrell and Mr. Croft in the same sentence. Two great giants in the classic Italian motorcar world! Guy Croft fabricated a bespoke engine for my Fiat 124 Spider. It was a true pleasure to work with him. He is truly missed! As was done with my car, I am sure, Iain, this owner was provided with a wealth of documentation regarding the work,done to this 130. Guy was meticulous and forthcoming with his communication to his customers. Thank you!

  • @iainmacleod4007
    @iainmacleod4007 Рік тому +4

    Last time I saw one of these exotic masterpieces it was being broken by Demolition Autos (now DA Autoparts) in Dumfries. This was some time around 1985. It saddened me then and has stuck with me for nearly 40 years.

  • @CGAT147
    @CGAT147 Рік тому +2

    My uncle had one in Italy … soooo classy.. was a real head turner when I was lucky enough to enjoy a ride in it ❤

  • @mattede8744
    @mattede8744 Рік тому +2

    I live in Australia and in 1982 I bought a 2nd hand 131s manual wagon { You call them estates } and it was the most fun car to drive. I wish I never sold it. But the 130 was my dream car, at the time. I think we only had the autos here. Loved your video. It bought back some nice memories. Cheers.

  • @christophermarshall5765
    @christophermarshall5765 Рік тому +6

    I know about the Fiat 130 coupe. They were common here in Australia for a while. I personally worked on a few.

  • @iankuah8606
    @iankuah8606 Рік тому +8

    I really appreciate the walk down memory lane with you. I was lucky enough to test drive a 130 Coupe back in 1979 , and it remains one of my favourite cars of the period. I still have my original sales brochures of the 130 saloon and coupe.

  • @vincezab1
    @vincezab1 Рік тому +2

    Many years ago, when I was 19 or 20, I found out that what was purported to be the world's largest collection of automotive manuals and marketing literature was at the Philadelphia Library in Pennsylvania, USA. I has a 1966 Pontiac Bonneville at the time, and sure enough, they had the shop manual. Not an exotic to be sure, but that was what I was looking for and they had it. At some point the contents of the Automobile Reference Collection were transferred to the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Library & Research Center and the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, where the treasure apparently now resides. I can tell you that the collection was indeed of staggering scope and breadth when I was admitted behind the locked gate in the library to peruse the pontiac manual. If you need to find an old shop manual, the AACA may have it.

  • @benzinapaul7416
    @benzinapaul7416 Рік тому +1

    The 130 Coupe is a stunning design and this example is in the perfect spec. The 130 Coupe, Gamma Coupe, Ferrari 365/400/412 and even the Peugeot 604 have this lovely 1970s PF style to them.

  • @sexynelson100
    @sexynelson100 Рік тому +52

    Hi Iain.. Great video ( as always ). You should do a monthly walkaround your workshop and introduce ALL the vehicles being worked on ( if the owners allow it ). I love seeing all the different cars you have in the background and it would be great to see and hear more about them.. Thanks for all your great work

    • @MLB9000
      @MLB9000 Рік тому +4

      I actually get the impression that they have to be careful to film from particular angles due to not being allowed to show certain cars. Most of what Iain has in his garage is worth upwards of six figures, and even seven figures in some cases, so the insurance and liability issues must be a bit of a headache.

  • @magnolerriccardo6840
    @magnolerriccardo6840 Рік тому +1

    There's a couple of things I love of this job : One is the 130 V6 coupè, of course. And the other is that British countryside panorama.

  • @Paul-tk2my
    @Paul-tk2my 16 днів тому +1

    I really appreciate the understated styling on this car. I watched, I think it was Wheeler Dealers, and they did a Fiat Dino in the same (more or less) blue and orange (Velour) colour scheme. The reason it works so well is because blue and orange are opposites on the colour wheel and therefore, complimentaries. The engine sounds really great- especially in that shed!

  • @multislipful
    @multislipful Рік тому +10

    How right you are to feature this car - in the 1970s I regarded it as wonderfully understated and elegant car. Thank you. This is a great example.

  • @timtownsend4151
    @timtownsend4151 Рік тому +19

    Iain, I share your passion for the 130. The Fiat Dino Coupes are also high on my list of desirability. I love these quirky cars that came out and are probably under the radar to a lot of people.
    As ever, your passion and knowledge is obvious.

    • @jamesbaker429
      @jamesbaker429 Рік тому +1

      Car SOS and wheeler dealers both worked on Dino coupe ,SOS a basket case and wd with a long stored low mileage car.

    • @johnchurch4705
      @johnchurch4705 Рік тому +1

      @@jamesbaker429 Salvage Hunters:Classic Cars restored a blue 130 Coupe.

  • @enricovonwalterskirchen5596
    @enricovonwalterskirchen5596 2 місяці тому +1

    For me as someone from the continent (Switzerland), it has a very tasteful feel when an Englishman reviews an Italian car: Someone who knows something about being fair describes the uniqueness when Italian engineering meets quality. I think Mr Tyrrell is a good example of how deep inside every English petrolhead is a lover of Italian cars.

  • @Inisiarev
    @Inisiarev Рік тому +2

    In my humble opinion a 6 cylinder is the most wonderful sounding engine. You can hear there’s something special going on yet it never screams for attention. The gentleman of engines indeed. Thank you for yet another very informative and lovely documentary.

  • @dino2400
    @dino2400 Рік тому +3

    Had one for many years, actually as a classic-leased car, and used it for several years for daily use (around 2006 - 2012). Just fantastic. I always thought the biggest setback was that FIAT gave all to compete with Mercedes for ultimate luxury, and ended up just as expensive. Except that it remained FIAT and therefore had to quit because of lack of sales. But the coupe remains one the most beautiful 70’s coupes.

  • @johna1160
    @johna1160 Рік тому +7

    21:24 After Iain's extensive build up of what to expect of the throaty exhaust note, I wasn't disappointed. Had to hear it again with headphones. Glorious!

  • @christopherboyle1479
    @christopherboyle1479 Рік тому +2

    Wonderful. Thank you as always. That Pininfarina design has all the timeless elegance of a Chanel suit. In this part of the world, whenever one of these cars came on the market, the Arthur Dailey dealer would claim it had a "Ferrari engine". I knew someone who owned one and believed it. Somehow I never thought it would be right to disabuse him. But (anorak point) Lampredi's 1968 Fiat twin-cam 124 Sport was not quite the first production engine with a toothed-belt driven camshaft. I believe that honour belongs to the Glas GT of late 1964, closely followed by the 1966 model year Pontiac tempest, which offered a 3.8L OHC straight 6.

  • @sandyneedham6499
    @sandyneedham6499 Рік тому

    This is why I like Iain Tyrrell - not only does he put the cars into perspective, comparing them with the other offerings which were competitors at the time, but he has taste and understands design. Classic designs still look good after 50 years, and the clean lines of the Fiat 130 Coupe show how a well designed car, created with real style, will stand the test of time. In the same way, this is why an Alvis TD21 is still such an elegant car. The larger "greenhouse" effect which was more common in the 60s and 70s does contribute to this classically good looking style. Yes, Mr. Tyrrell, like the Fiat 130 Coupe, you are a class act!

  • @richardfoulkes3083
    @richardfoulkes3083 Рік тому +5

    Always loved the look of these and even the 4 door as well. The fact that Iain couldn’t get 3 of them back on the road speaks volumes of how difficult they are to maintain mechanically and body wise.

    • @charlesjackman143
      @charlesjackman143 Рік тому +1

      I was thinking that, they must've been complete dogs!!

    • @piuthemagicman
      @piuthemagicman Рік тому +1

      @@charlesjackman143 rust + parts availability. dogs are nice :)

  • @ianmedium
    @ianmedium Рік тому +10

    My late uncle had one of these, the sound was glorious and it was such a beautiful car to look at. It is the one classic car that I would have much higher quality bespoke enamel metal badges made for to get rid of the cheap ones that it comes with. Keep the originals in a box for completeness but have some beautiful cast and enamel ones replace it. The car deserves it!

  • @col4627
    @col4627 Рік тому +1

    Enjoyed the vdo a lot. When I was 18 (47 years ago) I was a mechanic at Fiat and there were a few of these 130 coupes regularly in the garage. They weren't well put together and as you said, you could watch them rust. I remember them being temperamental too but everything was forgiven, or tolerated, because they were so beautiful and elegant. Of course they were, they're Italian.
    The carb was an odd choice, especially considering the two duel choke webbers they decided to bolted onto the 1600 124 sc. The main thing I recall though was how no-one could ever fathom out why the were so prohibitively expensive. It was if they just didn't want to sell them.

  • @fothersiow
    @fothersiow Рік тому +1

    "...ensconced in acres of 1970's Draylon."
    Really enjoy watching and listening to Ian's emotive and insightful videos every time! Thanks

  • @GM-fh5jp
    @GM-fh5jp Рік тому +3

    The tire squealing takeoff in the factory did indeed make the point, Iain.
    Our children will never know the visceral feeling of such a sound associated with their daily transport...a homage to a bygone era.
    Thanks for posting and we all want to see what you do to the suspension and drivetrain to make this thing work as intended.

  • @d23bw
    @d23bw Рік тому +11

    Like you, I have loved the 130 since seeing one in Dublin as a kid. Recently an Irish one in excellent condition with the orange velour upholtery and green paintwork came up for sale by a reputable vintage car dealer. The problem, the Gr Yaris came along around the same time. What swayed me to the GR was that my garage is 3 inches too short to fit. the 130. I love my GR but still covet the 130 even more now. Thinks, sell GR, use money to extend garage and buy the beautiful Fiat 130 Coupe? Hmmmmm.

    • @Ingulf_The_Mad
      @Ingulf_The_Mad Рік тому

      If you want I have one in mint condition for sale...the only problem is that it's in Italy lol.

  • @antonybarnett6870
    @antonybarnett6870 5 місяців тому +1

    I've always loved the uniform lines of these automobiles.
    I think they are a car that elevates the badge, by that I mean I believe you could drive this car through the streets of Turin and you'd be treated like loyalty and people would stop and stare and admire the lines, and the fact that it carries a Fiat badge will be of little consequence to the overall beauty.
    Another great video Iain, I suspect if the owner ever decides to part with it, I'd imagine you'd get the first call - and why not.
    The interior is just super crazy flair and any colour regardless is just a statement and poses the question - Don't ask why? ask Why Not.
    Thank You again Iain.

  • @Oldpigsass
    @Oldpigsass Рік тому +1

    I've learnt something today: I always thought this car had a flat 4 not a V6. I now realise I mixed it up with the Lancia Gamma coupe, another handsome chap.

  • @288gto7
    @288gto7 Рік тому +3

    Some people say the dino connection is a myth. Because at the end of the day the heads are completely different to dino. The heads are very similar to the Lampredi Monoalbero engine that first came out in FIAT 128. a direct acting sohc engine with inline valves and wedge combustion chambers, it was also reverse flow in monoalbero and its the only major difference between lampredi v6 and the monoalbero. V6 is crossflow monoalbero is reverse flow, other than that the heads are very similar. The reverse flow heads also allowed great cylinder scavenging, when switching those heads to crossflow they had to rework the porting and valve timing etc again which i think they didnt do a great job and with lack of great scavenging the v6 made very little power. In Abarth SE 031 the same lampredi v6 was used, enlarged to 3.5L with better cams and better tuned heads and it made around 270hp with same valvetrain and wedge combustion chambers

  • @nervo6321
    @nervo6321 Рік тому +3

    Charming looks and an interior layout that can only be described as brilliantly beautiful.

  • @Santor-
    @Santor- Рік тому +1

    Love it! Especially that you let er rip, beat the snot out of it in the warehouse, as it was intended. No Sunday driving. Beautiful machine.

  • @yantomanuel6919
    @yantomanuel6919 Рік тому +1

    we used to fight for the service rights when the one and only blue 130 came into the fiat lancia garage i worked in during the 80's. Simple to work on and the test drive was always the best part.

  • @simonelliott5956
    @simonelliott5956 Рік тому +29

    Always adored these cars, fabulous machines. Nice to hear the late Leonard Setright mentioned, it’s been a long time since I heard his name! I remember in your video of the Camargue that you mentioned the similarities between the designs and specifically the interiors, it would be nice to see an Iain Tyrrell ‘short’ video on that connection. Another example of a high quality video, which you do so well Iain.

    • @stonkr
      @stonkr Рік тому +9

      Always enjoyed LJK's column in Car magazine.

    • @mducheine2784
      @mducheine2784 Рік тому +1

      @@stonkr Loved small Honda Coupés, allegedly the first to coin the "Supercar" attribute and admirer of ZZ Top (or is that just my imagination?)

    • @kevgermany
      @kevgermany Рік тому +2

      @@stonkr I followed him in Bike magazine. Brilliant journalist.

    • @AlanDepledge5
      @AlanDepledge5 Рік тому

      LJK’s book ‘Drive On!’ is a classic

  • @drtonyvalentich
    @drtonyvalentich Рік тому +1

    I am selfish, and as he fiat 130 coupe is my all time dream car (and I always dreamed of putting triples on it too), I plead with you to give us more updates on this beautiful piece of Italian engineering.

  • @kimballbenson8116
    @kimballbenson8116 2 місяці тому +1

    I remember seeing one of these one day in South America around 1976. I immediately could tell it was a Pininfarina designed car but I didn't know what it was. It was silver, on the move so I quickly checked the badge on the trunk, it saying FIAT 130. The car was attractive, simply shaped yet sculpted and larger than any other FIAT I'd seen before. Always liked it's style but knew nothing about the model for a long time. Thank you for the video!

    • @iain_tyrrell
      @iain_tyrrell  2 місяці тому

      Thank you too- they are understated elegance

  • @smorris12
    @smorris12 Рік тому +3

    What a joyful half hour after a busy weekend. As relaxed and calming as the hot bath I enjoyed it in

  • @aitchr8770
    @aitchr8770 Рік тому +2

    Don;t know about unknown - been my favourite coupe since late 80's when I saw one parked up. I too was 19!

  • @markstott8864
    @markstott8864 11 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for featuring the Fiat 130 Iain, a time warp beauty to be sure. Love every moment of the video. Wish I was with you driving those roads in it.

  • @docsaaab
    @docsaaab Рік тому +2

    The first cambelt car was the Glas ( Later owner of the company was BMW ) in 1962 , they build nice cars and they have a small V8 Coupé

  • @MoultrieGeek
    @MoultrieGeek Рік тому +6

    I love Sundays, first Harry posts and then Iain. Brilliant car Iain, thanks for the tour.

  • @P.Galore
    @P.Galore Рік тому +4

    One of these came up for sale in the US recently and I was so tempted, Having owned several Italian cars, I concluded the price of admission would be a fraction of what it would actually cost to keep running.