1976 FIAT 131 MIRAFIORI ABARTH 16v RALLY Gruppo 4, Dogleg Gearbox

**VIDEOS OF THE CAR DRIVING**

youtube. com/watch?v=Cj_ID 603 LRw

youtube. com/watch?v=2 Fj 8 BOk Robo

Well what can we say about the legendary 131 Abarth that is not already known? Before Group B there was Group 4. and Fiat (along with a little help from Abarth) dominated the World Rally Champinship with these rally monsters in 1977. 1978 and 1980 with the likes of Markku Alen and Walter Röhrl at the wheel.

Chassis number 131 AR 2040106 has been owned by the same rally driver since 1986. Purchased as one of the 400 homologation Stradales (UK registration number UYY 272 S) from the late. great Barry Waterhouse. custodian of Italtune. and converted to Group 4 spec.

Many ex Abarth Works parts have been used in the building of this Mirafiori. After a fortutitous trip to Kenya led to the acquisition of a whole 40 ft container of Abarth rally goodies. Like the straight cut Dogleg gearbox (5 speed). There is also an ex Abarth Works differential in the spares package

The beating heart of this Twincam Abarth is a 1995 cc Fiat block with all steel internals and a lightened/balanced bottom end. Mated to an Italtune ported and gas flowed 16 v head with Alquati 'Forest' camshafts and a pair of huge Weber 48 IDF carburettors the sound is truly thunderous it certainly pulls no punches.

When those twin Alquati cams come on song it really is a white knuckle ride! Blasting throught the close ratio gears to a thunderous soundtrack.

The gearbox in question is an ex Abarth Works straight-cut Dogleg unit with an Abarth Stradale differential. An ex works LSD comes with the car but in need of a rebuild.

The chassis has been seam welded with lightweight fibreglass wings and hoods and aluminium door skins. Underneath has been stripped of all underseal to save weight so it hides nothing.

Whilst it's not going to win 1 st place in the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach it does have some wonderful rally patina.

It has been used for one purpose only. To race. rally and enjoy.

Currently set up for Tarmac/Ashpalt competition The front suspension is Group 4. Mc Pherson struts. rose jointed and fully adjustable with new Bilstein shock absorbers all round.

Rear set up is fully independant as per Abarth.

Sitting in the cabin is like stepping back in time to 1980. your Walter Röhrl and your on the Sanremo Rally.

Park yourself in the Sparco Evo 2 bucket seat. buckle up the Sabelt 6 point harness. ignition on and press that start button.

The smell. the sound of the Works Abarth straight cut gears whining away coupled with the raucous noise of those Weber 48 s and that screaming 16 v powerhouse!

A true retro rally icon!

Call or text Jamie on + 02

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