I had a black 1980 131 Sport from '82 to '87. Best and worst car I ever owned. The wheels were held on by bolts, not lug nuts so putting on a spare at the side of the road in the pouring rain was a true labour of love.
proud breaking all the time! Ive owned Four of the crap And one as a company vehicle when I worked on the power lines. Replaced by the Hilux much Better.
Just discovered your channel half an hour ago. From a fellow Irish man (Navan!), I can only say it's brilliant. TV production standard for sure. Had 131s in the 80s, but the Sport evaded me. Was outbid on one the same colour as Sid's when I was 19. Still pine for that car 35 years on. Subbed for sure.
This is the car of my youth we had in Egypt an assembling line for fiat in the seventies and eighties you can hardly see another brand than fiat on the roads the mirafiori was the queen among it was tough and easy and cheap to maintain , lots of the are still on the roads without problems.
Love that Mirafiori, and Sid too. You still see some Mirafiori on the road in dryer parts of Europe, I have seen them recently in Portugal and Italy this year, but I honestly cannot remember the last time I saw one on the road in UK or Ireland. I saw one in a car show in Co. Cavan this year, I tried to engage the owner in conversation about his car but he did not seem interested. It's great to see such an enthusiastic owner as Sid, who clearly is very knowledgeable and proper old skool mechanic with oil in his veins. The world, and dare I say it, Ireland, needs more like Sid and yourself George..
That black plastic piece is a aerial lead grommet used on aftermarket aerial kits, used to allow you to drill a hole large enough for the connector to pass through then fit this grommet to seal on the cable.
In the Arizona Heat, the Fiat 131 interiors started to decompose as they came off the transporter so the first step was to take them to a car upholstery shop and replace all of the seat material. In the Seventies.
Just found your channel, and I love it. Good job man. I spent my early years growing up in Portmarnock during the mid/late 70's. My neighbor Brian, a pilot for Aer lingus drove a blue Fiat 128 coupe. My dad being a car salesman I was basically brought up on cars. Those were some great times that stay with me till today. Cheers to you and Sid. Michael Hughes from Toronto.
Love your work. I stumbled across your channel the other day and have been watching from Episode One. The way you talk us through what you are showing us, and the timelapse style, is just great. I look forward to catching up on your progress!
Gorgeous car, except for those louvers on the rear window, and too many decals and emblems. TOP SHELF work! Thorough, proper restoration. Very talented chap. I restored 2 131s over the years, one Volumetrico and a 131 Racing with the twin IDFs. Bought an ex Rorhl 131 Group4 Abarth, but never got to it, and sold it in. Regret that! Enjoy your lovely Mirafiori Sport. That interior is stunning!
We had a '60's Kadett in school, although past students had already done all the major restoration work. We never got to do anything. Just bite off a small task and learn by doing and watching RU-vid. You'll get on a roll, and as you finish one job, the next one will look less daunting.
I must say I am really enjoying your channel all the way from the Dallas Texas. Really inspiring me more to make videos of my project. 1966 Buick Special Station Wagon
Very happy to have state side representation! How did you find me? I've always liked the '50's and '60's Americana. I have a hankering for a '60's wagon but I'll have to come spend some time in the U.S. for the authentic experience. Texas has the most consistent surf by the way - the wake of the tankers. You have SXSW too. The car's a '63 Colony Park. I think. Wraparound rear glass but facelift front end. Very similar to your Buick but a bit more fruity lol. Grab that camera even for posterity, you won't regret it!
I found you searching for channels that have something to do with automotive restoration and I really enjoyed the way you deliver content. Haven't spent much time by the ocean here in Texas but I hear its not that inviting. I'm originally form Florida and its much nicer in that respect. But Texas has tons of classic vehicles. People form Europe and Australia travel here to purchase classics to ship back home. I myself have sold and shipped parts across the pond. Colony Parks are a little hard to come by, especially early 60s. Actually a lot of Mercurys are getting harder to find. I've already uploaded a number of short videos of classics that I've found in salvage yards, swap meets and car shows. The next step will be my own project. Thanks! Look forward to following along!
I'll go have a look! I spent a little time on Sanibel and Pine Islands, mostly on the water but I had the loan of a drop top Mustang too and I almost bought a very unmolested early Bronco on the way to the airport, it was only $7.5k asking back then. I loved Florida, I'm sure it's very different on the east coast though. Give me a shout when you start on the Buick.
I'm the same way in that even when I'm on vacation I'm still looking at possible projects. I'll be sure let you know when I start the Buick. I hit bell so I won't miss any future videos. Until next time, take care.
What great stuff you do my friend! I just discovered you and I'm loving every minute of it. I have a Land Rover Discovery II here in Canada that everyone would just want to throw away, but you're giving me the inspiration to bring it back to its former glory! I really love the vibe that comes through your videos. Keep it up, and if you ever come to Canada, give us a shout!
Oh, Fiat 131. A friend of me had the same car, but in our country it was called Fiat 2000 Racing, to distance it from the bad reputation 131 had in the marked. I used that car a lot, and always when we where touring, I drove it. Very funny car to drive, but a disaster on snow. We cave it a nickname, Fiat Racing Push. The car had black painting, and the same interior as that one in the video. Actually the same car. One day I will try to find a real Abarth version in memory of my good friend and a funny car to drive.
when fabricating small pieces of sheet metal that are rusted away, how do you know what the original piece looked like to fab an exact copy. I have watched many videos and noticed some pieces that were not intact but still fabricated precisely. Nice job with the cars!
Great video and thanks for he 'subscribe' info too. My second car(but the first one I bought alone) was a Mirafiori Sport, black with that orange velour(ish) interior. Loved it but so did those 'tin worms'. Have seen a couple for sale at 22,000 euros online....makes you think. The amount of work done on the car in the video is crazy and scary to think about. The craftsmanship needed to bring it back just awesome!!
Oh I'll bet you wish you still had it! The man's a genius and deserves a medal. The car brought home a few trophies (featured) from some of the runs it's been on but I think Sid's taken some flack in the past from Fiat die hards because he's put better brakes in it or tweaked the odd colour. It's nuts that after the work he did that anyone would have a hard enough neck to judge!
Yep, Like Sid said, 'is there any 30 year old Fiat that is completely original?' I now have a Fiat Seciento and a Jaguar 4.2 litre that has just turned 30 years old. It is awaiting restoration...the Fiat I have now is 10 years old and has not a single piece of rust and is just short of 190,000kms...Who would have thought that in the 70's/80's...??
I'm still skeptical :D What country is the Seicento in? Get stuck into the Jag! I was looking at a Mk10 the other day. I'd daily that in a heartbeat. Hey how'd you find the video by the way?
I'm in Spain near Marbella :-) The Fiat is spotless although it is a 'Van'(i.e. No back seats' just a cage!!) Have had to change the clutch(last Oct) Alternator, front suspension, track rod ends and front pads, CV gaiter rear drums and shoes/cylinders. As it has been used for work purposes the rear is a little untidy(inside) and my mate(when he owned it) drove through a river(he was sat in 18 inches of water/inside the car) not long after he bought it new. I have maintained it since getting it 4 years ago....not sure my mate spent any money on it in his ownership but there is absolutely no rust on it... MK 10?? There's one on 'flea bay' in Spain for 4000 Euros , bodywork restored but interior 'ropey', has electric windows(fairly rare) and is solid!! They are cool but remember they are 6'6" wide and very long...but who needs to park..... ;-) Found the video on one of the pages I was watching, it was the Mirafiori image that made me click on it...most of my 'subscribed channels deal with car restoration....
Figured there had to be a decent climate involved! Sounds like your pal had fun with it! He's lucky it didn't float. I'm used to Land Rovers and stay out of the city so don't worry about parking. Cheers for the support :)
@@soupclassicmotoring Why not? I'm surprised you haven't hit it already! I'm new to the channel so +1 subscriber and looking forward to catching up on all your vids.
Red leather wouldn't be my first choice but definitely better than the blue for me. I think if you saw the texture of the blue in person you might not be so fond of it. I had this idea that a dark green leather on the seats would be nice [fav colour] but hey, I think factory original will win out.
Don't ever look at the wiring in a late RR Classic then Andy ;) It's simple though, a colour coded wire brings the power in, the device operates, and another wire [usually black] completes the circuit by going to ground. Throw in a relay, a fuse, a rheostat here and there and you've got your head around car wiring. I'm really looking forward to fixing the loom, it's lovely peaceful work.
I spent a precious few quid on that walkman, it doesn't work, I just needed the prop to make the film ref. to intro my work gear. My overalls and the skylights in the unit put me in mind of the scene. 10 points to the first person who twigs it ;)
I had a few 131s back in the 80s and 90s, spent most the time going sideways LOL, should be dead by all accounts. Can't believe the price they make today if you can find one.
That is a lot of talk and time wasiting for a title that says Fiat 131 is pure sex. I'm not even sure if I could come up with a fitting title for this 22 minutes of.....? Please try to apply a bit o0f structure and focus if you want people to watch your videos. This is everything and nothing all mixed up in a bucket.
Click bait, rubbish. Not a video about the Fiat Mirifiori131Sport. No it is a video about him and his lfe and friends and other things, even his holiday!!! A Fiat is just thrown in to get your attention., waste of time .
Your heading is about a Fiat 131..........and out of 21plus minutes .......the Fiat 131 only received only about 4.5 min...!!!!!!...What nonsense is this...?????......As a Fiat Fanatic ....this is clickbait...!!!!..you have lost a subscriber..!
