Fiat’s 130 four-door has always been the ugly sister to the swish coupé. The transport of Italian politicians and Vatican high-ups, it was designed to be Italy’s answer to the BMW E3 saloon and Jaguar XJ6. But sales between ’1969 and ’1974 were only 15,093 units and few have survived. Series 1 cars had a Lampredi-designed 2.8 V6 while the ’1971 Series 2 got the gutsy 3.2 engine, improved dash, optional leather trim, aircon and a button to remotely open the front passenger door. On the road they’re poised with precise power steering and decent ride from all-independent suspension. The optional Borg Warner three-speed auto was the most popular and ZF five-speeders are rare.
VALUE 2012-2013 £4750
VALUE NOW 2018-2019 £6500
These days the unloved Fiat 130 Berlina looks alluringly sharp in a Maiosi sort of way, especially in black or dark blue. Watch Charles Bronson screeching up Italian hills in The Mechanic and you’ll see the appeal. This is a car that should carry a Walther P38 or Luger in the glove box. Saloon 130s appeared in dozens of Italian art house films with titles like L’asassino, typically with gangsters spraying bullets from the side windows – it exudes a Seventies Maia getaway car vibe.
Classics and Cabriolets in Essex has a smart ’1969 in factory black and just two owners for £6495 while Classic Italians in Popoli, Italy has a perfect silver one-owner 1975 car with 15,000 miles for £10,500. For something so exclusive and distinctive these are low prices for examples that don’t need work. I’m not saying the 130 saloon is a sure-ire investment, but ten grand for a 15k minter feels extremely good value to me.
{module Fiat 130}
