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?
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.
For example, there are just 10 Talbot Matra Ranchos left on the UK roads!!
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!
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?
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
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
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.