Fiat 131 2dr Polycarbonate Windows

At first glance, the Fiat 131 looks like an ordinary late-‘70s family sedan, boxy, practical, and built for commuting rather than competition. But under its unassuming skin, this car carried the DNA of a rally-bred monster. With the right tweaks, the Fiat 131 went from a sensible street car to a World Rally Championship (WRC) legend, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected cars can become motorsport icons.
The Fiat 131 debuted in 1974 as a straightforward, rear-wheel-drive saloon designed to replace the Fiat 124. It was available in two-door, four-door, and estate versions, with a range of small displacement engines designed for economy rather than performance. But Fiat had bigger plans. Keen to build on their growing motorsport success, they saw the potential to turn the 131 into a rally-ready weapon. With the help of Abarth, Fiat’s performance division, they created one of the most successful rally cars of its era: the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally.
This wasn’t just a slightly upgraded road car. The 131 Abarth was a full-blown homologation special, meaning Fiat had to produce a limited number of road-going versions to comply with rally regulations. It was lightened, strengthened, and completely re-engineered for competition. The standard Fiat 131’s simple design became the perfect foundation for a Group 4 rally car, a class known for some of the wildest machines of the 1970s.
At the heart of the 131 Abarth was a 2.0L twin-cam inline-four, derived from Fiat’s road-going engines but heavily tuned for competition. It produced around 140 horsepower in street trim and could push over 230 horsepower in full rally spec, thanks to modifications that included high-lift camshafts, uprated carburetors, and later, fuel injection. This was paired with a five-speed manual gearbox that sent power to the rear wheels, making it one of the last truly great rear-wheel-drive rally cars before the era of all-wheel drive dominance.
To handle the punishment of rally stages, Fiat completely overhauled the 131’s chassis and suspension. It was given independent front suspension, a reinforced rear axle, and race-spec dampers that allowed it to take brutal gravel roads and high-speed jumps without breaking a sweat. Large wheel arches housed widened wheels, improving stability and grip, while a massive rear spoiler and aggressive front bumper gave it a properly menacing look. The final touch? A full fiberglass and aluminium body kit, cutting weight to ensure it was as nimble as possible.
The results were spectacular. The Fiat 131 Abarth Rally became a dominant force in the WRC, winning three manufacturer’s championships in 1977, 1978, and 1980. With drivers like Walter Röhrl, Markku Alén, and Bernard Darniche behind the wheel, the 131 took on the likes of the Ford Escort RS1800, Lancia Stratos, and Opel Ascona, proving that it could outclass both rear-wheel-drive and mid-engine rivals. The 1980 WRC championship was particularly special, as Walter Röhrl’s title cemented the 131’s place as one of rallying’s all-time greats.
One of the key strengths of the 131 was its balance of power, handling, and reliability. Unlike some of its more fragile competitors, the 131 was rugged and durable, able to survive the punishing conditions of endurance rallies. It excelled on both gravel and tarmac, making it a versatile competitor that could adapt to different surfaces with ease.
Even outside the world of professional rallying, the 131 Abarth became a favourite among privateer teams. It was fast, relatively affordable compared to some of its rivals, and easy to work on. Whether in European national rally championships or grassroots motorsport, the 131 continued to prove its worth long after its factory-backed WRC days were over.
Today, the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally is one of the most revered classic rally cars, with a cult following among enthusiasts. The road-going homologation models are now highly collectible, sought after for their rare mix of everyday practicality and race-bred performance. Finding an original rally-spec 131 Abarth is even harder, many of the cars that saw competition were pushed to their limits and lost to time.
The Fiat 131’s story is one of unexpected greatness. It started life as a modest Italian sedan but evolved into a WRC legend, capable of taking on some of the greatest rally cars ever built. It represents an era of rallying where power and finesse mattered just as much as durability and driver skill.
For those lucky enough to see one today, whether parked in a classic car collection or still ripping through historic rally stages, the Fiat 131 Abarth stands as a reminder of a time when rear-wheel-drive, high-revving machines ruled the dirt, and when a simple Italian sedan could become a world-beating rally car.