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47-702: The car is a licence-built version of the Fiat 124 , that was heavily modified and tailored for the rough climate and road conditions across the Soviet Union and much of the Eastern Bloc countries. Subsequently, it was widely, and successfully exported to the West under the Lada brand, for over two decades. The station wagon version (correspondingly based on the Fiat 124 Familiare ) was known as

94-461: A 9.0:1 compression ratio , engine output was 70 DIN -rated metric horsepower (51 kW; 69 hp) at 5,400 rpm and 110 DIN-rated newton-metres (81 lb⋅ft) of torque at 3,300 rpm. Fiat advertised a top speed of over 150 km/h (93 mph). Besides engine and rear axle, notable mechanical changes from the regular 124 were an alternator replacing the dynamo , an uprated clutch, standard 155R13 Pirelli Cinturato radial tyres , and

141-555: A central back-up light. The interior featured a redesigned padded dashboard with an oval binnacle housing two round instruments and a car radio console, a steering wheel without horn ring, new door cards, and more supportive seats. At the November 1970 Turin Motor Show , Fiat introduced a round of updates for the entire saloon and estate 124 range, as well as a new model variant—the 124 Special T. All models had gained air outlets added to

188-460: A completely redesigned front end. A black, square-mesh radiator grille was crossed by a horizontal bright bar joining the dual headlamps; each of the four round lamps was set in its own square, bright-edged housing. The grille-headlamps assembly was flanked by the turn indicators. Front and rear the bumpers had lost their over-riders, replaced by full-width rubber strips. At the rear the lamps were also new—still horizontal and rectangular in shape unlike

235-435: A facelift late 1970, using pretty much the same trim as the 125S, but the visual width of the car was enhanced by a wider grille (the indicators moved from the side to the bumper) and by replacing the square rear lights with larger, horizontal ones. The interior gained upgraded upholstery of the seats and a wood facia. A three-speed GM automatic transmission as well as air conditioning became available as an option. A variant,

282-482: A few cosmetic changes to the front and rear. However, Premier incorporated the Nissan A12 (1,171 cc and 52 bhp) powertrain instead of the original Fiat engine along with a Nissan manual gearbox. Added in 1996, there was also a version called the 1.38D which sported a diesel engine, built under license from Fratelli Negri Macchine Diesel Sud of Italy. Near the end of production an improved model called Viceroy

329-551: A four-speed and five-speed gearbox. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Fiat sought to extend its worldwide reach by licensing the 124 design following its discontinuation in mainstream Western European markets, including the widely known and most produced derivative, the Russian-built Lada , which sold over 15 million units. In 1966, Fiat entered into a collaborative agreement with the Soviet government to establish car manufacture in

376-653: A half million in 1974. In May 1974, it went on sale in Britain, priced at £ 979. The 2101 was built, virtually unaltered, from 1970 until 1982. The slightly upgraded 21013 continued to be built until 1988. The estate version of the VAZ-2101 (based on the Fiat 124 Familiare) was known as the 2102 and was available from 1971. It was replaced by the 2104 (Lada Riva in some markets) in 1985. Over 660,000 were built by end of production in 1986. In May 1974, it went on sale in Britain, priced at £ 979. The 2103 (known in export markets as

423-413: A live rear axle. The engine is an inline four with two valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft . The 2101 is a re-engineered version of the Fiat 124 produced under licence from Fiat and tailored for the nations of the Eastern Bloc , but was widely exported to the West as an economy car . Although the facelifted and modernised VAZ-2105, 2104 & 2107 versions largely replaced it in

470-469: A more likely scenario is that selling the required 200 cars in a market that only sold 1,000 Fiats in total each year was a tall order. Other versions were built by Moretti , who made the 125GS 1.6 with styling similar to the Fiat Dino Spider . Zagato made the 125 GTZ ; Savio, a 125 Coupé and 125 Station Wagon ; Bertone , a 125 Executive to a Marcello Gandini design; and Vignale produced

517-514: A starting handle for cranking the engine manually should the battery go flat in Siberian winter conditions, and an auxiliary fuel pump. Under the licensing agreement with Fiat, VAZ were forbidden from selling the car in Italy in order to protect Fiat's lucrative home market, nor was it permitted to sell it in any export market in competition with the 124; however, exports to Western Europe began in 1974 when

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564-484: Is a small family car manufactured and marketed by Italian company Fiat between 1966 and 1974. The saloon superseded the Fiat 1300 and spawned station wagon, four-seater coupé ( 124 Sport Coupé ), and two-seater convertible ( 124 Sport Spider ) variants. Fiat licensed numerous variants of the 124 for worldwide manufacture, including the Russian-built VAZ-2101 " Zhiguli " and its many derivatives. Known as

611-804: The 125 T , was made by the Fiat importers in New Zealand , Torino Motors, for the annual 6 hour production car race, the Benson and Hedges 500. The 125T has larger valves, two twin Weber DCOH or Dell'Orto 40DHLA carburettors (depending on availability), modified camshafts and a higher compression ratio to produce around 125 bhp (93 kW), lowered and stiffer suspension. All featured Ward alloy wheels and were painted bright yellow. Sources for production figures quote that between 84 and 89 were modified. Reasons for stopping production are sometimes given that Fiat headquarters found out and stopped this venture. However

658-513: The Fiat 1500 . The 124 featured a spacious interior, advanced coil spring rear suspension, disc brakes on all wheels and lightweight construction. A 5-door station wagon variant (named 124 Familiare on its home market) as well as the 124 Sport Spider variants debuted at the 48th Turin Motor show in November 1966. A few months later, at the March 1967 Geneva Motor Show , the 124 Sport Coupé completed

705-463: The Lada outside the Soviet Union, these Russian variants constituted the vast majority of 124 derived production, making it the fifth best selling automotive platform in history. The 124 was superseded in its home market by the Fiat 131 , launched in 1974. As a clean-sheet design by Oscar Montabone, the chief engineer responsible for its development, the 124 used only the all-synchromesh gear box from

752-628: The Samantha , a two-door coupé with pop-up headlights, designed by Virginio Vairo . Another 125 Station Wagon was built by OSI to a Sergio Sartorelli design. Production by Fiat in Italy ceased in 1972 when the Fiat 132 was introduced, a total of 603,877 cars having been built. A licence copy was also produced in Poland by the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) from 1967 until 1991, under

799-545: The Samara region of Russia . Fiat was contracted to take part in the creation of the massive VAZ plant in the newly created town of Togliatti , named after the Italian communist leader of the same name . The factory produced an adapted version 124R of the 124, known as the VAZ-2101 " Zhiguli " (sold as the Lada 1200/1300 in export markets), until 1982, and 1200s until 1987. Based on the 124, they were modified at more than 800 points,

846-531: The VAZ-2102 . The lightweight Italian Fiat 124 , which had won the 1967 European Car of the Year , was adapted in order to survive treacherous Russian driving conditions. Among many changes, aluminium brake drums were added to the rear, and the original Fiat engine was dropped in favour of a newer design made by NAMI . This new engine had a modern overhead camshaft design but was never used in Fiat cars. The suspension

893-605: The 124 was discontinued in favour of Fiat's newer 131 Mirafiori . The 2101 was exported under the Lada 1200 , Lada 1300 , Lada 1200S and Lada 2101 until 1989 and was positioned as a budget "no frills" offering; it was sold in the United Kingdom from May 1974, until the arrival of the Riva in 1983. It was the first Lada to be sold in the United Kingdom. The first year, 22,000 were produced, and capacity reached 660,000 by 1973. Sales reached one million on 21 December 1973, and one and

940-460: The 125 was built from 1972 to 1982, initially by Fiat-Concord and later by Sevel Argentina . In addition to the 4-door sedan version, a station wagon (called "Familiar"), a pickup (called "Multicarga", a unique Argentine design) were built. There was also a coupe called 125 Sport with the same mechanics than the sedan, but based on the Fiat Coupé 1500 Vignale. A few copies were made of Italian 125 and

987-412: The 2505 mm wheel-base, inherited from the Fiat 1500 and over 8 cm (3 inches) longer than that of the 124. The new car's engine was based on the one fitted in the Fiat 124 Sport: a 1608 cc DOHC unit with 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp) driving the rear wheels. The 125 was equipped with a Weber 34 DCHE 20 or Solex 34 PIA carburettor. The car was fitted with an alternator, reflecting

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1034-591: The C-pillar for better ventilation, and a split brake circuit; while some features previously exclusive to the 124 Special such as servo-assisted brakes, back-up light and an alternator were made standard across the range. Berlina and Familiare both had a new grille with alternated chrome and black horizontal bars, and larger bumper over-riders. Additionally the Berlina had large, nearly square tail lamps made up by two stacked rectangular elements. The renewed Special sported

1081-473: The European volume auto-makers in the decade ahead. The floor pan was virtually unchanged from that of the longer variant of the outgoing model, the Fiat 1300/1500 , and the chassis used was the same as the Fiat 1300/1500 . The body was a slightly lengthened development of the Fiat 124 : the two models had the same passenger compartment and doors, but the 125's rear seat was set slightly further back, reflecting

1128-525: The Lada 1500) was very similar to the 2101, and had many common features with the Fiat 124 Special that was developed at the same time as the 2103, but with an external trim closer to the larger and more upmarket Fiat 125 . It can be identified by four headlights, a squarer appearance to the front grille, and a different interior. Some markets also received the VAZ-2106, or Lada 1600. Fiat 124 The Fiat 124

1175-455: The West in the early 1980s, it was still produced for the domestic market as late as 1988. Known as the Zhiguli (for the hills found near the plant) within the Soviet Union, the main differences between the VAZ-2101 and the Fiat 124 are the use of thicker gauge steel for the bodyshell, drum brakes on the rear wheels in place of disc brakes , and a bespoke engine. Early versions of the car featured

1222-512: The addition of a vacuum servo to the all-disc braking system. Visually the Special could be immediately distinguished from the standard model by its new, rectangular grille with four inset round headlamps. Less evident differences were larger vertical bumper over-riders, wheels with round ventilation holes as on the Sport models, new flush door handles, different tail lamps with integrated reflectors, and

1269-616: The body, car was known as the SEAT 124D and remained in production until 1980 with the Sport versions now codenamed the "FLs", FL-40/45 1,600 cc 90HP, FL-80/82 1,800 cc 114HP and FL-90 1,919 cc 114HP The car was very successful in Spain, and was sold in both the four-door and station wagon versions. The Fiat 124 was also produced under the name Pirin-Fiat in Lovech , Bulgaria , on the basis of complete knockdown ( CKD ) kits between 1967 and 1971. The Fiat 124

1316-667: The brand Polski Fiat as the Polski Fiat 125p , and later as the FSO 1500, FSO 1300, or FSO 125p. It was a somewhat simplified variation of the Fiat car, with outdated 1300 cc or 1500 cc engines and mechanicals from the Fiat 1300/1500 . Polish cars differed in details from Italian ones, most visible were four round headlights instead of square ones, simpler bumpers and front grill, orange front turn signal lenses, different shape details in tail and front lamps design, simpler body sheet metal stampings, old Fiat 1300/1500 chassis and interior. This model

1363-487: The front camber. In 1968 the 125S ("Special") was added to the range, with 100 PS (74 kW; 99 bhp) (from a modified cylinder head, camshafts, inlet/outlet manifold and Weber/Solex carburettor) and, unusually at this time, a five-speed gearbox. It also had halogen lights, servo-assisted twin circuit brakes and optional superlight magnesium wheels. A variety of other improvements were made including improved cabin ventilation, trim and styling. The Special received

1410-509: The larger, pushrod 1.4-liter engine with 70 hp (51 kW). In late 1971, about a year after its introduction in Italy, the twin-cam 124 Special T also joined the Malaysian production line. In the frame of the licence agreement between SEAT and Fiat, it was produced and sold in Spain with the name SEAT 124 from 1968 to 1975. Also a clone from the 124 Special with some elements from Fiat 125

1457-685: The major modifications having an entirely different OHC engine, hydraulic clutch, drum brakes at the rear, modified suspensions, etc. Early modifications include the VAZ-2102 (station wagon), 2103 (Lada 1500), 2106 (Lada 1600) and 21011 (Lada 1300). The updated and restyled versions of the 124-based design were produced until September 2012, as the VAZ-2104, 2105 and 2107 – marketed as the Lada Riva in UK markets. Production of this line reached 17,332,954 cars, this being

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1504-470: The manufacturer top speed was 160 km/h (99 mph). Externally the Special ;T was identical to the Special, save for model badging at the rear. Power came from a 1.2 L (1,197 cc) Fiat OHV inline-four engine . Also, there were the 124 Special with a 1,438 cc OHV engine and the 124 Special T with 1,438 cc and 1,592 cc twin cam OHC engines . The twin cams are connected to

1551-495: The name Fiat-KIA 124 by Asia Motors in South Korea , between 1970 and 1975. In total 6775 units were assembled. From 2002 to 2007, Lada - Egypt company built at least 9,000 cars (2,200 in 2006) in the shell of VAZ-2107 (Riva), and it continues in 2012. At Salone dell'Automobile of Torino in 1966, Carrozzeria Touring presented a convertible version of Fiat 124 saloon. It was the last car built by Touring. Only one example

1598-681: The ones used on the standard saloon—and the whole tail panel was surrounded by a chromed profile. Inside there was a new dashboard with imitation wood inserts, carpets instead of rubber mats, and cloth upholstery. The "T" in 124 Special T stood for twin cam , hinting at the car's 1,438 cc dual overhead camshaft engine, derived from the Sport Coupé and Spider but in a milder state of tune. Coded 124 AC.300 , this engine had revised valve timing and fuel system and produced 80 DIN -rated PS (59 kW; 79 hp) at 5,800 rpm and 112 DIN-rated N⋅m (83 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm. According to

1645-431: The range. The two Sport models were powered by an all-new 1.4-litre dual overhead camshaft engine producing 90 DIN-rated PS (66 kW; 89 hp) at 6,500 rpm. Following its introduction in 1966 with a publicity stunt, where a 124 was dropped by parachute from a plane, the 124 won the 1967 European Car of the Year award. In October 1968, Fiat launched the 124 Special ; like Fiat's other Special models, it

1692-485: The same improved rear axle was adopted by both Sport models. In detail the Special's 1,438 cc type 124 A2 engine had the same bore and stroke of the Sport Coupé and Sport Spider engines (80 × 71.5 mm), but eschewed the dual overhead camshafts of the two sportscars in favour of the more conventional overhead valve setup from the 124 saloon. With a downdraught (instead of the 1.2's sidedraught) twin-choke Weber 32 DHS or Solex C32 EIES carburettor and

1739-502: The second largest production volume for a car in automotive history. The Fiat 124 was also introduced in India by Premier Automobiles Limited . In 1981 Premier began the process of acquiring the production tooling for the facelifted SEAT 124 D after authorisation from Fiat. The model was released in the autumn of 1985 as the Premier 118NE. The car was very similar to the 1966 version except for

1786-403: The twin headlights and the increasing number of energy intensive electrical components appearing on cars at this time. Other noteworthy features included the electromagnetic cooling fan clutch. The 125 featured one of the world's first intermittent wipers and was praised when new for its handling and dynamics. British Autocar found the slight understeer tendencies were easily cured by adjusting

1833-411: Was 43 % higher than that of the original 124. Fiat 125 The Fiat 125 is a large family car manufactured and marketed by Italian company Fiat from 1967 to 1972. Derivatives were built under license outside Italy until the 1990s. As launched the car was unusual in blending saloon car passenger accommodation with sports car performance, a combination which would be more widely adopted by

1880-418: Was a manual auxiliary fuel pump. Some of the improvements developed by VAZ engineers were quietly applied by Fiat to the 124 in its final years of production - for example the chassis strengthening; internally within Fiat these updated models are denoted "124R", the "R" standing for 'Russian'. Engines fitted to the original Lada 2101 start with the 1.2l. The drivetrain is a simple rear-wheel drive setup with

1927-556: Was also available as an estate (the Polski Fiat 125p Kombi ) and a pickup developed in Poland after Italian Fiat 125 production ended in 1972. The Zastava 125 was a Zastava produced model identical to the Polish 125p. Available versions were called 125 PZ with 1,295 or 1,481 cc engines. In Egypt production of the Polish 125p version went on under the name Nasr 125 until 1983. In Argentina

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1974-507: Was also produced by Tofaş under the names " Murat 124 " between 1971-1977 and " Serçe " ("sparrow" in Turkish) between 1984 and 1994, in Bursa , Turkey . 134,867 Murat 124s were produced between 1971 and 1994. Tofaş concurrently produced the Fiat 131 series under the name Murat 131 between 1976 and 2002. Today, the company manufactures bona fide Fiat models. The Fiat 124 was also produced under

2021-446: Was an upmarket, better appointed and higher performance variant of the standard saloon. A month after, in November, it was displayed at the 50th Turin Motor Show alongside its larger sibling, the new 125 Special . In addition to a 1.4-litre overhead valve engine, the 124 Special notably introduced all-new 5-link (four longitudinal, one transverse) solid axle rear suspension in place of the original 3-link design. Starting from late 1968

2068-519: Was made. Reactions were positive, but the Fiat CEO terminated this project in favour of the Pininfarina -styled 124 Sport Spider . The ESV 2500 is an Experimental Safety Vehicle that Fiat developed in 1972 based on its 124 model. It had a totally new 5-door three-box design, with an extra strong passenger cell, but used the mechanicals of the standard 124 with 1438 cm3 engine. The ESV 2500 's weight

2115-413: Was produced from 1969 to 1975 with the 1438 cc engine along with the twin-cams known as the "FUs" 1,600 cc (1970–72), and 1,800 cc (1972–75) branded as SEAT 1430 . In 1975 when Fiat stopped production of the Fiat 124, the SEAT 124 had a minor facelift done by Giorgetto Giugiaro changing the aesthetics of the car by changing the round headlamps to rectangular design and integrating taillights into

2162-406: Was raised to clear rough Russian roads and the bodyshell was made from thicker, heavier steel with reinforcement in key chassis areas after cracking was discovered during durability testing. The first Lada models were equipped with a starting handle in case the battery went flat in Siberian conditions, though this was later dropped. Another feature specifically intended to help out in cold conditions

2209-551: Was released in collaboration with Peugeot . Production ended in 2001. The 124 was also built at the Kilang Pembena Kereta-Kereta (KPKK) factory in Tampoi, Johor , since the latter half of 1967. The cars were distributed by Sharikat Fiat Distributors. Originally only available with the 1.2-liter engine with 60 hp (44 kW), in late 1969 the sportier 124 Special joined the lineup. This version has twin headlamps, and

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