I had three of these back in the 90's and they were great cars. How many are still on the road? One of mine was a spares car, I wrote one off and the other one was still pretty good when I sold it in 1999. E231 RUE I think? Is it still around?
General How many 130TC's are left in the UK?
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General How many 130TC's are left in the UK?
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E231RUE is NOT on the Motor Insurance Database today
Its not insured so likely to be offroad
Its not insured so likely to be offroad
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In good/very good condition and original and NOT restored then 5 or less (UK that is)
In good/very good condition and restored or with other extensive work done then around 10
Others in poor/dubious condition then about 15 or so.
I doubt we could round up more than 30 left in the UK. Certainly less than 50.
Only way for sure is to ask the DVLA.
Nick /////
In good/very good condition and restored or with other extensive work done then around 10
Others in poor/dubious condition then about 15 or so.
I doubt we could round up more than 30 left in the UK. Certainly less than 50.
Only way for sure is to ask the DVLA.
Nick /////
When you enjoyed driving and owning a car so much, it's quite sad when you realise how few are left. I do regret selling my last one, but didn't have enough space for it at the time. It seems like the only things that survive are things like Triumph's & MG's. I suppose they do have a bigger and better classic car following / industry behind them though, taking the hassle of trying to find spares, etc.
I have some spares for 130TC's still. If anyones interested, I'll have a dig around in the garage and see what I've got. Certainly have an gearbox, set of wheels and other bits and bobs.
I have some spares for 130TC's still. If anyones interested, I'll have a dig around in the garage and see what I've got. Certainly have an gearbox, set of wheels and other bits and bobs.
I reckon there's quite a few left although there aren't that many left in roadworthy condition, ///// estimates could be fairly accurate.
I have 2. 1 in roadworthy condition (or thereabouts) and one not so. A chap round the corner from me has one as a racecar. I know a fair few people with them in various states from immaculate to shed.
I have 2. 1 in roadworthy condition (or thereabouts) and one not so. A chap round the corner from me has one as a racecar. I know a fair few people with them in various states from immaculate to shed.
Any bits you may have are potentially gold dust. Not always today but over time this will become more true. Like you say you have some bits and there are others out there with them as well. Trouble is they hide in private till one day you are forced to have a quick clearout and they end up being scrapped. So many parts have gone this way.v
Nick /////
Nick /////
Strada
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The first Strada 130 TC I saw was a left hand drive version in around 1981 (Fiat did not originally make RH versions) and was at a dealer in Wolverhampton which had the reg prefix UE (amongst others). It was silver in colour.
Vectrolosys
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Hello,
In a recent copy of practical classics, they featured a gold, facelift Strada in their 'Nearly Extinct' side by side test. In total, we have a mere 76 Stradas left on the DVLA's books in the UK. Unfortunately, I am not sure how many of these are the relatively excellent 130TC. There is an organisation, I can't remember the exact name, something like the SMCC, which keeps all these sorts of figures.
For example, there are just 10 Talbot Matra Ranchos left on the UK roads!!
James
In a recent copy of practical classics, they featured a gold, facelift Strada in their 'Nearly Extinct' side by side test. In total, we have a mere 76 Stradas left on the DVLA's books in the UK
. Unfortunately, I am not sure how many of these are the relatively excellent 130TC. There is an organisation, I can't remember the exact name, something like the SMCC, which keeps all these sorts of figures.For example, there are just 10 Talbot Matra Ranchos left on the UK roads!!
James
That must of been a Mk1 125TC, as they were made between around 81-83. The 130TC was made between 84-88 in Mk2 & Mk3 versions.
Strada
New member
You could be right, but it was deffo left hand drive and was one of the first (if not the) imports.
Did it look like the one on the left (Mk1 125TC), or the one on the right (Mk2 130TC).
If it was a LHD model, then it would of most probably been badged Ritmo instead of Strada.
I would love a Mk1 105TC, or 125TC. I bet there are even less of these left in the UK, (if any 125TCs) than 130TCs.
If it was a LHD model, then it would of most probably been badged Ritmo instead of Strada.
I would love a Mk1 105TC, or 125TC. I bet there are even less of these left in the UK, (if any 125TCs) than 130TCs.
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Strada
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The one on the left (mk1). The owner of the garage had imported it and I think he planned to convert it to rh drive. Ive seen a mk2 130tc at a classic car show and a 105tc mk1 but never a 125tc since. They must be like rocking horse sh*t!
If you thought old Fiats could rust, then that is nothing compared with Talbot Ranchos! They were poorly built cars and a vain attempt to be a mini off roader. To get soaking wet and covered in mud you would've thought that they'd have made the bodywork more resilient!
Oh, and a classic Panda 4x4 would run rings around a Rancho off road though might be a bit more equal in the rust stakes
As for the number of Stradas left on the road, there seems to be a fair number of cabrios left going by what comes up on Ebay. Either the same cars keep coming up for sale or there's nearly as many cabrios left as there are 130TC's!
And such a shame that more 130TC's haven't survived. What a driver's car they were in their time (and even now), but the brain dead masses decided to go for XR3's instead :shakehead:
The survival of any car in the Fiat group is very much a lottery. Same for other makes except possibly for Ferarri, Maserati, Rolls Royce etc. etc.
You mention the XR3i and I could not agree more. But the Ford (spit spit boo) RS2000 was a car, although not a Fiat, that did have that Fiat 130TC equivalent but in a ...... grrrr.....Ford package.
Now RS2000s are like the Strada 130TC quite rare, especially in good condition.
All current manufacturers are I belive only oblidge (in EU) to *try* to supply parts and service for 10 years after last date of manufacturer.
Oh I wish.
For our Jan 1988 Strada 130TC I was unable to source directly from Fiat track control arms barely two/three months later. Fiat had sold their stock off to elsewhere. Was / am I angry. Yes.
The newer the production date of car the sooner the manufacturer will cease supplies under any *current* agreement.
Buyer beware!
You mention the XR3i and I could not agree more. But the Ford (spit spit boo) RS2000 was a car, although not a Fiat, that did have that Fiat 130TC equivalent but in a ...... grrrr.....Ford package.
Now RS2000s are like the Strada 130TC quite rare, especially in good condition.
All current manufacturers are I belive only oblidge (in EU) to *try* to supply parts and service for 10 years after last date of manufacturer.
Oh I wish.
For our Jan 1988 Strada 130TC I was unable to source directly from Fiat track control arms barely two/three months later. Fiat had sold their stock off to elsewhere. Was / am I angry. Yes.
The newer the production date of car the sooner the manufacturer will cease supplies under any *current* agreement.
Buyer beware!
What a car!!
My brother in law had the 105TC from new many years ago and it was amazing. A mate of mine had a 130TC in the late 80's and before the advent of speed bumps and cameras we used to race around the streets of south london all the time. At the time i had a brand new Uno Turbo MK2 and although it was fast the 130TC was just too quick!!
Ahh!! those were the days.
Hey Mr!
I can tell you the last story about the 130TC in met gray. E231 RUE
I bought the car in 2002, on the 15 June.
From a guy called Ediz or Ed I think he was called.
This was my first Abarth.
I had it and cherished it for 2 years, what I did not know at the time was the car had been badly fixed & resprayed.. dunno by whom.. but after 6 months the rust started to show.
As I wanted to fix the car and to possibly take it with me home to Sweden,
I left the car at my mechanic in Fulham, where I was able to park the car.
After a few months there was a breakin in the car, the side window was smashed.. but nothing was taken. I did however have a few bits and pieces in the car, a new abarth steeringwheel.
Then the council wanted to clean up the area where the car was parked, wasn't in any way or form illegaly parked.. but I missed the deadline and the car was taken away to be scrapped
Sadly my friend didn't call me to let me know the cleaning up was about to happen until it has actually happend.
Shame for such a fab car with loads of spareparts that would make loads of money these days. The Recaro seats were in perfect condition amongs other things. I've had many thoughts about the car.. and regret very much what happend.. but certain things can't change. Sadly.
Got a new fab abarth these days
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Hey Mr!
I can tell you the last story about the 130TC in met gray. E231 RUE
I bought the car in 2002, on the 15 June.
From a guy called Ediz or Ed I think he was called.
This was my first Abarth.
I had it and cherished it for 2 years, what I did not know at the time was the car had been badly fixed & resprayed.. dunno by whom.. but after 6 months the rust started to show.
As I wanted to fix the car and to possibly take it with me home to Sweden,
I left the car at my mechanic in Fulham, where I was able to park the car.
After a few months there was a breakin in the car, the side window was smashed.. but nothing was taken. I did however have a few bits and pieces in the car, a new abarth steeringwheel.
Then the council wanted to clean up the area where the car was parked, wasn't in any way or form illegaly parked.. but I missed the deadline and the car was taken away to be scrapped
Sadly my friend didn't call me to let me know the cleaning up was about to happen until it has actually happend.
Shame for such a fab car with loads of spareparts that would make loads of money these days. The Recaro seats were in perfect condition amongs other things. I've had many thoughts about the car.. and regret very much what happend.. but certain things can't change. Sadly.
Got a new fab abarth these days
I'm a bit gutted that the car is now dead. It was a good car when I had it. It needed some work when I sold it, nothing serious, just a small amount of bodywork in 1998? The top corner on one of the doors, a bubble on the boot and the paintwork (but no rust) on the roof. Look on here for a bit of the old history and photos.
http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,503.0.html
Hello again!
I'm so sorry to be the carrier of bad news
As you said, the car was fantastic.. had a bit of an oil leak, and also the sad thing about the innerroof. It was hanging.
I was told it is a normal problem with the Strada/Ritmos.
When I bought it, I did a check on the car.. all over in the search for rust.. and it looked perfect then. Nothing on the body or under.
Did my lessons before, to know what to search for.
However, it was above the tailgate/roof where it all started,
and after a very short time.. it spread very quickly.
Thank you for the link, will sign up and follow it!
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Hey Mr!
I can tell you the last story about the 130TC in met gray. E231 RUE
I bought the car in 2002, on the 15 June.
From a guy called Ediz or Ed I think he was called.
This was my first Abarth.
I had it and cherished it for 2 years, what I did not know at the time was the car had been badly fixed & resprayed.. dunno by whom.. but after 6 months the rust started to show.
As I wanted to fix the car and to possibly take it with me home to Sweden,
I left the car at my mechanic in Fulham, where I was able to park the car.
After a few months there was a breakin in the car, the side window was smashed.. but nothing was taken. I did however have a few bits and pieces in the car, a new abarth steeringwheel.
Then the council wanted to clean up the area where the car was parked, wasn't in any way or form illegaly parked.. but I missed the deadline and the car was taken away to be scrapped
Sadly my friend didn't call me to let me know the cleaning up was about to happen until it has actually happend.
Shame for such a fab car with loads of spareparts that would make loads of money these days. The Recaro seats were in perfect condition amongs other things. I've had many thoughts about the car.. and regret very much what happend.. but certain things can't change. Sadly.
Got a new fab abarth these days
Wow!! That is a story..
I think a lot of those Starda's ended up being written off by insurance companies after accidents.
The thing is that most of them at the time were purchased by young italians who just drove them too fast and crashed them, that's what my mate did with his.
Fiat hadn't made a car like that ever and I don't think they ever will.
