Fiat 128

Fiat 128
Overview
ManufacturerFiat
Also calledNasr 128 GLS 1300 (Egypt)
SEAT 128 (Spain)
Zastava 101/128/Skala (Yugoslavia)
Production
  • 1969–1985 (Fiat, Italy)
  • 1971–1990 (Fiat, Argentina)
  • 1976–1980 (3P, SEAT)
  • 1971–2008 (Yugoslavia/Serbia)
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassSmall family car (C)
Body style
  • 2-door saloon
  • 4-door saloon
  • 3-door estate
  • 5-door estate (Argentina only)
  • 2-door pickup (Serbia and South Africa)[3]
  • 2-door coupé (128 Sport Coupé)
  • 3-door coupé (128 3P)
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
RelatedFiat X1/9
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,445 mm (96.3 in)
Length3,850 mm (151.6 in)
Width1,590 mm (62.6 in)
Height1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Kerb weight750–770 kg (1,653–1,698 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFiat 1100 R
Successor

The Fiat 128 is a transverse front-engine, front wheel drive small family car manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1969 to 1985 as a two- or four-door sedan, three- or five-door station wagon as well as two- or three-door coupé. The 128 running gear and engine, reconfigured for a mid-engined layout, were used in the Fiat X1/9 sports car.

With engineering by Dante Giacosa and engine design by Aurelio Lampredi,[4] the 128 was noted for its relatively roomy passenger and cargo volume — enabled by a breakthrough innovation to the front-engine, front-drive layout which became the layout "adopted by virtually every other manufacturer in the world" for front-wheel drive.[5] Fiat promoted in its advertising that mechanical features consumed only 20% of the vehicle's volume.[4]

Named European Car of the Year in 1970,[6] over three million were ultimately manufactured.[7]

In 2012 automotive journalist Jamie Kitman called the 128 a "pioneer of the small cars we drive today."[8]

  1. ^ "El Nasr closure spells end to long running assembly of Fiat 128 and 131 in Egypt". italiaspeed.com. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  2. ^ "Historique de la SOMACA". Somaca Casablanca. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  3. ^ Wilkins, Gordon (September 1978). "Fiat: Italy's industrial giant". CAR (South Africa). Vol. 22, no. 8. Ramsay, Son & Parker (Pty) ltd. p. 67.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference lampredi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Brick by Brick: The Biography of the Man Who Really Made the Mini, Martyn Nutland, p. 237. Authorhouse, Bloomington, IN, 2012. 8 October 2012. ISBN 9781477203170.
  6. ^ "Previous Cars". Caroftheyear.org. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  7. ^ "Fiat 128: quarant'anni di trazione anteriore" (in Italian). Autoblog.it. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  8. ^ Kitman, Jamie (15 August 2012). "Collectible Classic: 1971–1979 Fiat 128". Automobile Magazine.