PROJECT CAR – IAN MACKENZIE’S FIAT 127 1050CL

Ian Mackenzie is an intrepid classic enthusiast whose fleet already includes a Wolseley 1100 and a Ford Escort Ghia. However, as we all know, there is always room for one more vehicle and he came across this second-generation Fiat 127 entirely by chance. He explains:

I was in a 121 with one of my team last week and mentioned I was off on Friday to be at the NEC. She then asked me, ‘you don’t want another old car, do you? So, we had a conversation about it. Her mum bought the Fiat new in February 1979 and used it until her health stopped her from driving in January 1996. Her children drove it in the garage, and it hasn’t moved again until now! A couple of times, they told their mum they really ought to send the Fiat to scrap, but she’d get upset - so they couldn’t bring themselves to. Sadly, she passed away last year, so her daughter was keen to let it go to someone that would get it to live again! I’ve recently made a good start on it, and I was attracted to the 127 because of its rarity. Another reason is my late father-in-law had the same model and colour in the early1 980s. Plus, it was the one car he had that my wife liked!

The 127 made its bow in 1971 and debuted in the UK at that year’s Earls Court Motor Show. It went on to become COTY 1972 and Europe’s best-selling car. The year following its launch saw a hatchback option (very few British motorists opted for the two-door), and five years later, the range gained a very appealing facelift.

The Fiat now sported new front, rear and side windows, a modified tailgate, the option of a 1,049cc OHC power plant and instruments that, while stylish, defied any attempt actually to read them. There was also an entertaining television advertising campaign starring Trevor ‘Mr. Lucas’ Bannister.

Ian’s car is the 1050L – “it is the base version with the OHC engine; the stripe along the side was a dealer fit option”.

The Mk.2 lasted until November of 1981, while the Mk. 3 ran until 1983 when the Uno replaced it in Europe - South American production lasted until as recently as 1995. Survivors in the UK are few and far between, although we should point out that Fiat was far from the only manufacturer to suffer from corrosion problems. As for the Mackenzie 127, refurbishment work is underway, and he is “really delighted!” with his latest project. And you cannot ask for more than that.