FIAT 131 SUPER MIRAFIORI 2 DOOR SPORT RACING RHD 1981 RARE FANTASTIC CONDITION

Fiat 131 Supermirafiori 2 door Sport Racing

2 litre Twin Cam

Right hand drive

2 owners

5 speed

Rarer than hens teeth!

Finally for sale after 10 years of love and cherish. is one of the most famous Fiat 131's in the world. This is the famous car once owned and raced by Frank Church.

Frank won at Brands Hatch in 1987 in the BRSCC Italian Intermarque champions. He was about 72 at the time. It was the end of a 50 year career in motor sports. This was the final and most famous car he owned.

No expense has been spared on this car. whatever she needs she gets.

Classic cars are one of the best investments you can ever make. while you are enjoying them they appreciate in value the whole time. what could be better. If you get the right car with interesting history who knows what it will fetch in years to come? I was recently contacted by a Car collector in Malta which heard it was now for sale and wanted it but I would prefer it to stay in the UK.

Here is a notice from The Sporting Fiat club.

Stories

Frank Church was elevated to club hero status when. at Brands Hatch in 1987 he won a round of the BRSCC Italian Intermarque (Now Le Mans Euro Italia) Championship. Frank never bothered with the racing slicks sported by his competitors. On this occasion. shortly after the race started. the circuit was deluged in a cloud burst. Frank had the pleasure of driving through a field of duck-like aquaplaning fellow competitors. One of Frank's Alfa Romeo brethren that day reported. when later asked why he hadn't pitted to change to wets that he aquaplaned off the camber of the circuit at Paddock Hill Bend doing little more than walking pace – “The pits can be a long time coming. ”

Frank said he really enjoyed his drive. and we agree – especially as he was 72 years young at the time! His beautiful grey 131 Sport is a credit to his commitment to ownership. the FTCR and SFC!

http://www. sportingfiatsclub. com/models/131/131. asp

From Fiat 131 forum

This is the famous Fiat 131 Sport belonging to Frank Church who is sadly no longer with us. Famous. ? Because at the age of 76 Frank won his first race in Brands Hatch in this car after 50 years in motorsport! A small point that contributed to his  success was that an unexpected shower of rain caught out most his slick shod competitors and on road tyres Frank overtook most of the field on his way to 131 glory!!   Wish I had been there to witness that!

http://www. sfconline. org. uk/forum/topic. asp?TOPIC_ID=2545

The car was purchased 10 years ago this December from Frank Church himself while he was still alive. He was almost deaf and severe arthritis mean he had to give up driving. The family rightly wanted to keep all his trophies. He did sign and date a book for me which is shown below.

In the picture below it is shown in the Hardback book 'Twin Cam Italia'. It is shown with its No. 24 on the side. A signed copy of the book will come with it!

The improvements I have made is a full stainless steel exhaust system (£400 several years ago). A Clifford Cat 1 Thatcham approved alarm. the original wheels have been professionally restored and shod with brand new Pirelli tyres. new bolts and locking wheel nuts (£800). The cambelt and tensioners were replaced 320 miles ago as a sensible precaution. The headlining has been refurbished (not the usual sagging here). recently it has had 2 x track control arm bushes. 2 x front shock absorbers. 2 x track rod ends. 2 x shock top mounts. full service last year (not driven since). it has grooved front discs to aid stopping. new battery on collection. new radiator cap (not shown in pictures) ready for sale

Extras: It comes with the original roll cage. the original factory fitted engine. nbsp; racing wheels and slick tyres.

Current modifications from the standard vehicle: Filter King fuel filter and pressure regulator. electric fuel pump (concealed in boot). Arbath steering wheel. suspension lowered. 8mm blue ignition leads. Fiamm air horns. twin 40 Dellorto side draft carburetors and cable operated cut out switch which is under the bonnet. 4 branch manifold.

Now in normal situations all these modifications would not add to the value but due to its racing pedigree they are acceptable.

The bodywork is superb and ripple free in Graphite grey metallic. A good fact is that it does not have a rear spoiler so the boot has never been drilled. So many had a spoiler fitted in their day. The windscreen has a top tint which is rare.

The interior is very good for a 30 year old car. If I'm being picky. it does have a minute cigarette burn in the back seat. I'm a non smoker by the way.

It comes with all the old MOT's. 2 owner's manuals. supplements. extensive bills. 2 sets of Keys. many letters from Frank before he died. etc. tc

MOT is currently February 2014 but can come with a year although it has not been out of the garage since the last one! Currently on a SORN. can tax (at buyers expense) if you want to drive it away. Don't forget though the large spares that come with it.

Faults: It not quite concourse but could be easily. The carpet has been cut where the roll cage was fitted. There is 2 small pieces of internal trim missing from the door pillar.  The rear window rubber seal has a split but comes with a new genuine rubber. There is a very tiny rust bubble near the n/s rear arch but I'm really being fussy here! And thats about it really.

There is much rubbish banded around the forums which I would like to correct here once and for all. The car was not sold by Franks son. I did not pay £2500 for it. It was not written off by a young lad. It does not have 12 coats of paint. etc. The problem with owners forums is that individual owners want to 'big up' their cars and play down the classics. When you do not tell them where the car is or constantly comment. rumours begin. In reality the car has only completed 600 miles in 10 years which I know is a shame but then its preserved and not rotten like so many. It is also on the Fiat Twin Cam Register.

These cars do not come up for sale very often. One came up a couple of weeks ago on ebay. this made £12. 00. but it needed a respray and lots of work. Another from Ireland recently made £16000 with flared arches and without the famous history this one has. You have the chance to be the proud owner of a very unique car.

I'm not desperate to sell and would keep it happily if no one bids. Thank you for looking.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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