Fiat 125

Manufacturer	FIAT
Main type	Sedan
Production	1967  to 1972
produced	603877
Length	4223  m m
Width	1611 mm
Height	1390 mm
Step	2505 mm
Mass	1055  k g

The Fiat 125 is a car of the band produced by FIAT between 1967 and 1972 .

History

Giacosa immediately set to work using what was already available: the platform of the "1500 C" (more obsolete than that of the " 124 ", but with a wheelbase longer than 8 cm), the elongated and modified bodywork of the "124 Berlina "and the overhead cam cam shaft engine , already used on the" Sport Spider "and" Sport Coupé " versions of the" 124 ", with a crankshaft mounted on 5 bench supports. The gestation was particularly rapid: for example, for the bodywork of the prototype no plaster models were made but it was worked directly on the original sheets of the "124".

The platform, although less developed, with its rigid axle rear axle with leaf-type leaf springs (the "124" had, always in the rigid bridge layout, the helical springs ), thanks to the longer wheelbase it allowed a better longitudinal habitability. Traction obviously remained on the rear wheels . The body underwent some dimensional changes to adapt it to the new wheelbase and few aesthetic adjustments: a taller and more imposing front, a chrome-plated grille with 4 square lights, chrome-plated profiles on the sides, a tail redesigned with vertical headlights. The doors, with recessed handles, and the central part of the bodywork were the same as the 124 .

In order to better adapt it to the needs of a sedan, the 4-cylinder "Lampredi"underwent an increase in displacement from 1438 to 1608  cm³ thanks to a new crankshaft with 80 mm stroke. This left unchanged the maximum power of 90 hp DIN, obtained however at 5600 rpm instead of 6500: it improved the distribution of engine torque and the fluidity of delivery. Completing the technical framework 4 brakes to disc , with vacuum booster, and the exchange4-speed all synchronized: the latter was equipped with Porsche type synchronizers, which gave excellent results with regard to maneuverability. The ratios of the various marches were studied thinking of intensive use of the new-born sedan also on the highway: for example, the speed reached in III was 125 km / h compared to 100 in the "1500 C" (75 cv DIN) and 105 in the "2300 Luxury "(105 hp DIN). The car, using existing components, was developed rapidly and the first prototypes began to circulate in the winter of 1966. The suspension pattern followed that of the ancestor, with slightly wider tracks. An interesting detail of the rear suspension, derived from the Dino sports car and later used also for the 131 , 132 and Argenta models . The rigid bridge remained substantially that of the "1500 C" but deprived of the anti-roll bar present in the progenitor, replaced by a pair of longitudinal connecting rods that connected the bridge to the floor, used to improve the driving precision. The House curiously remarked this detail in the car's brochures in its various versions, talking about a so-called "quadrilateral scheme".

The 125 was officially presented on April 22, 1967 , three months ahead of the assumed time. The new Fiat sedan was welcomed by the public and the critics: the new, spacious interiors, fitted with high quality materials (only the faux plank wood and the metallic effect of the skay)of the seats left some perplexity), and the body (to which wise retouches had given greater "importance") appealed to the public. It was also among the few cars in its class with the passenger compartment without visible sheet metal parts. Of note, after many years of "absence", the return of the joystick gear lever and the instrumentation with circular elements. Also the brilliance of the performances and the general robustness of the model were appreciated by the customers, who complained, however, the absence of the 5th gear: the "rival" Giulia SuperHe had. The Fiat "125" was one of the very first automobiles to be fitted as standard with an intermittent wiper. From the end of '67, only on request, was the electronic rev counter available. Other accessories available on request for the new Turin sedan are the "steering lock" alarm, the white-side tires, the radio, the "Idroconvert" semi-automatic transmission (functioning in a similar way to that already offered on the "850").

The FIAT 125 was the first car used by the Turin-based company to engage in rallies. In 1968 the basic version was used by several private teams; starting in 1969, the "125 S" was used by the newly formed FIAT Squadra Corse, a structure initially created to cohabit private teams and subsequently become a real official team. The "125 S" and "125 Special" prepared for the Group 2 class came to deliver 145 bhp at 6800 rpm and, in addition to strengthening the body and mechanics, employed the limited slip differential. From 1973 the "125 Special" Gr.2 was replaced for a short period by the "124 Special T 1600": shortly, the commitments of the FIAT Squadra Corse will focus on the World Championship rally and on the "124 Spyder Abarth" Gr.4. Despite this, the "125 Special" will still follow the scenes of the Italian and European rallies with the private teams, until about 1977, the year in which the Italian model racing expires. Noteworthy is the 8th absolute place won by the 1973 Rallye Safari by the crew Robin Ulyate - Ivan Smith aboard a "125 Special" II series Gr.2 prepared specifically for the competition. 

The Fiat 125 manufactured abroad 

In addition to the 603,877 specimens produced in Italy by FIAT , the "125" had a very long production following on various continents, built by FIAT affiliated companies or under license:

• Poland  : the Polski Fiat FSO that produced it until 1991 as Polski Fiat 125p, in 1 445 699 copies, both in sedan and in the family version. The bodywork is simplified compared to the Italian model: the four front headlights are round, there are fewer chrome trims and the door handles are initially a push-button instead of recessed. The mechanics is that of the old Fiat "1500 C", including the gear lever on the steering wheel and the rigid rear deck without rods, but with disc brakes on all four wheels. Even the main engines were derived from the old Fiat "1300/1500", with engines still with the crankshaft mounted on only 3 bench supports: "125p 1300", 1295 cm³ and 60 cv DIN; "125p 1500", 1481 cm³ and 75 or 78 cv DIN. Subsequently, for some special versions, Fiat ("DIN; "125p Acropolis 1800", 1756 cm³ and 105 hp DIN; "125p GTJ 2000", 1995 cm³ and 112 hp DIN). A diesel version equipped with the 1588 cm³ 54 hp DIN engine of the Volkswagen "Golf" was also produced in very small series . The car also served as a mechanical base for the FSO Polonez in production from 1978 to 2002.
• Argentina  : the "125" was built from 1972 to 1982 by the local Fiat Concord on the basis of the "125 Special" just out of production in Italy. The only important changes are the tank moved to the bottom of the trunk, like the "1500 C", and the gearbox to only four speeds. In addition to the sedan, it was available in the giardinetta version called "Familiar" and coupé called "Sport". A pick-up was also derived from the same model, the "1600 multicarga", later renamed "125 Multicarga" from 1974, distinguishable by the front with only two headlights. 188 971 were manufactured. From 1978 a restyled version was marketed, renamed "125 Mirafiori" which took up some of the stylistic aspects of the "131": it was among other things the only series of the "125" Argentinian with a 5-speed gearbox. The 1608 cm³ engine was available, according to the versions, with power ratings of 100 and 110 HP DIN ("125 Potenciado" version). To mention the curious previous model, always built by Fiat-Concord, the "1600". In practice it was a normal "125", with the body of the basic model now no longer produced in Italy, the front of the Polish "125p" and the mechanics developed on site of the "1500 C", with gear lever on the floor instead of the steering wheel. Increased displacement from 1481 to 1625 cm³ and power from 88 to 92 CV DIN.
• Yugoslavia : Zastava produced from 1969 to 1982 the Zastava 125 PZ identical to the Polish model "125p", with engines of 1295 or 1481 cm³ and sedan and family bodywork. Curiously, the Yugoslavian manufacturer (later Serbian) gave the possibility to distribute the Italian Fiat model "125 sedan" of 1608 cm³, as can be seen also from local advertisements in the late 60s.
• Colombia  : few specimens of the Italian 125 were manufactured which was quickly replaced by the Polish 125p best suited to the local market.
• Chile  : a car was manufactured practically the same as the Fiat "125 Special" restyling of 1970.

Interesting that the Argentine and Polish station wagons are different from each other in the cut of the rear doors and in the tail, even if they derive from the respective sedans that instead share the floor and the turn-doors.

It should be noted that the Fiat "125" was never produced in either Russia or Spain . There is still a misunderstanding regarding this fact: In Russia the Vaz "Lada" was produced in various versions, all derived from the Fiat 124 , with overhead single-shaft engines from 1300 to 1600 cm³. The flagship version is the " Lada 2107 ". This model is not a "125": with the Italian model it shares like all the "124" only some body parts such as roof, doors and lap-doors.

In Spain the SEAT 1430 second series was produced in the seventies : the front was equipped with the same square halogen headlights as the "125 Special", like some body parts and rear lights. However, it too was not a derivative of the "125" but of the "124". The only real mechanical similarity was the Fiat 1592 cm³ twin-shaft engine, an evolution of the previous 1608 cm³, later flanked by the 118 hp from 1756, of Fiat 132 origin .

Both these cars, the Russian "2107" and the Spanish "1430", have the platform of the "124" and not of the "125", different from each other. Different from the same "125" were also suspension, steering and brakes.

Worthy of note, although produced in a few copies, are the following prepared versions:

• South Africa  : the Fiat "125 OTS Scorpion" (no official link with Abarth) was set up by local trainer Alconi Scorpion from Pretoria, on the body of the Italian base model sedan. It mounted the 1608 cm³ with high power at 125 HP DIN (at 6300 rpm) thanks to new camshafts, power supply with two Weber 40 DCOE double body carburettors and new intake and exhaust manifolds. Maximum declared speed of 172 km / h and standstill acceleration on 400 m in 16.1 sec. Only 4-speed gearbox. The steering column was also lowered for a more sporty driving position. The company gave the possibility to have further modifications to reach powers up to 190 CV DIN for track use.
• New Zealand  : the "Fiat 125 T" was set up by the Turin-based importer Torino Motors, identical on the outside of the "125" Italian base, in less than a hundred units. 1608 cm³ engine brought up to 128 hp DIN thanks to oversized valves, new camshafts, increased compression and power ratio with two dual-body carburettors (also available Dell'Orto 40 DHLA for circuit use). Produced with lowered and stiffened structure, increased fuel tank and freer exhaust system, it was mainly used to take part in the most important New Zealand racing on track for standard derived cars. Again, 4-speed gearbox.