Andrew Roberts explores the history of the Fiat 127

One of the main stars of this year’s NEC Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show was Lancaster Insurance’s ‘Classic Trade-Up’ 127. Not only is this example now as rare a sight as a good film starring Vin Diesel, but this Fiat is also a prime example of the nearly extinct Series 3.

The history of the 127 will be familiar to many readers. Fiat intended it as the heir to their rear-engine 850 and decided it should be FWD with a transversely mounted engine. The company had trialled this formula with the 1964-1970 Primula from their Autobianchi subsidiary. This resulted in the ground-breaking 128 saloon in 1969. The 127 debuted in April of 1971 and became COTY 1972. The first versions had two doors, but a hatchback became available a year after launch.

By the mid-1970s, the Fiat was Europe’s best-selling car, becoming a familiar sight in the UK. This rather wonderful 1977 editing of Thames TV’s Drive In compares it with the Ford Fiesta, the Renault 5 and the Volkswagen Polo Series I. Be prepared to be mesmerised by a) the 127 Special’s silver paint finish and b) Shaw Taylor’s taste in brown flared slacks:

In that same year, Fiat facelifted the range, followed by the introduction of the Series 3 in November of 1981 - and it faced a formidable array of competitors. Some represented the first generation of European and Japanese superminis – the Honda Civic, the Peugeot 104, and the 5. There was also the slightly more recent Citroën Visa and Fiesta Mk. Meanwhile, newer rivals included the Austin Mini Metro, the Talbot Samba, and the Polo Series 2 ‘Breadvan’.

Yet, the genius (no lesser word will suffice) of the 127’s concept meant it remained a powerful contender in the marketplace, despite being a ten-year-old design. British prices were also competitive – in 1982, the entry-level Comfort cost £3,270, just £15 more than the Fiesta Popular and £20 more than the Metro City. And when Car tested the flagship version opposite the Fiesta XR2 and the MG Metro 1300, they concluded, “if you want a lot of fun from a practical and civilised hot hatch at minimal cost, the 1300GT is your car”.

British sales of the 127 in 1983 when Fiat GB dealers began to prepare for the arrival of the first Unos. Italian production ended that same year, although South American derivatives continued until 1995. Whoever buys the ‘Trade-Up’ S3 will own one of the most delightful vehicles to hail from Turin. N.B. It is not advisable to copy the driving in the original 1971 commercial.