Tuesday, August 16, 2016

1969-1976 Fiat 130 Opera

Offered first with a 2.9 140-bhp V6, then upgraded to a 3.2 160 (some references say 165)-bhp V6 in 1970, the estate version of the 130 was a real handler while still being very comfy. The myth that it shared the Ferrari Dino engine is not true, though the bottom end is apparently the same. I don't believe it was ever officially imported into the States.

That's right; "wood" paneling...

Posted by K2

5 comments:

  1. BobinottAugust 16, 2016 at 10:15 AM

    Another "never knew there was one" posting. Well done K2. We received a few Fiat 131s here in Canada in the 1970s, but like you, I have never seen a wagon. Looks rather Opel-esque in profile. I love that full-length wicker roof rack.

    BTW is this the only example of non-North American fake wood paneling? Time to crank up that Google thing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BoloAugust 16, 2016 at 12:51 PM

    Okay K2, you've been asking for on-blog comments and questions. Here's one for you - do you agree with the latest rumors that the mid-sized sedan is dead?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 16, 2016 at 9:19 PM

      Thanks, Bolo. It's clickbait, in my opinion. I was saddened to see Timothy Cain jump on that bandwagon, someone who is as focused on the industry as we are. Or so I thought. Remember when the media called the time of death for the "personal coupe"? Yeah, they were SO wrong about that. Midsized sedans aren't going anywhere. YES, CUVs are on the rise but they won't kill off an entire class of cars. Sheesh.

      Delete
    2. BobinottAugust 16, 2016 at 10:51 PM

      I have to agree with K2 on that question. Last week I visited the local Kia dealer. I wanted to try out some "useful" vehicles. So I drove a Soul and a Rondo. Both left me "unmoved". Just not engaging to drive. Before I left, I spotted a Forte 5 and decided to try that too. Joy of joys, it was entertaining to drive. I realized that I just plain prefer cars to any of the "UVs". I suspect there are still quite a few that share this view. For me, a car-based station wagon is still the ultimate. Sort of like the automotive equivalent of a reverse-mullet: fun/car in the front, and business/capacity in the back.

      Delete
    3. BoloAugust 17, 2016 at 1:04 PM

      Yah, guess you're right. Pretty dumb to think they're going away anytime soon. Like that analogy, Bobinott.

      Delete

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