GTI OF THE STORM
It struggled to find buyers in the 1980s, and few examples remain, but the Strada Abarth 130TC is a characterful Golf GTI-baiting hot hatch of the old school
It’s often said that the hot hatchback democratised the idea of high performance for the road, and the 1980s was the decade in which this lucrative concept really came of age. But while the likes of Volkswagen and Peugeot were squeezing more power out of little engines with higher levels of tune and modern fuel injection, Fiat stayed old-school. The Abarth 130TC Strada hatchback used Fiat’s glorious normallyaspirated, twin-carb 2.0-litre twin-cam, a real belter that made the 130TC the quickest hot hatch on the block… briefly.
Peugeot came out with the superb little 205 GTI in early 1984, to which VW responded with a 16v twin-cam 1.8, which boosted the Golf GTI’s output from 112bhp to 136bhp, by which time the Fiat was distinctly behind the curve.
As such, fewer than 900 Abarth 130TCs were sold in Britain. Very few survive today. Less warmed-up Strada models catered for the hoi polloi, plus diesels, a cabriolet, and even a sensible saloon by the name of Regatta, though precious few of any of these variants exist today.
If you want to get maximum driving pleasure, however, it’s the Abarth 130TC you want. While the competing Golf and 205 GTI feel clever and sophisticated for the era, there’s a slightly unhinged character about the Fiat, which makes it colossal fun. It’s not the high-revving thrash-fest that you might expect; the 2.0-litre engine is under-square, delivering its horses with a meaty whoosh through the middle of the rev range. But there’s an urgent enthusiasm so typical of small Italian cars, with the twin-cam offering up a sparkling response to even the tiniest nudges of your right foot. The steering is beautifully-weighted once you’re on the move and the front-wheel drive handling is accurate and rewarding once you’ve become accustomed to the slight understeer. The slightly offset pedals aren’t too tightly grouped for dumpy Anglo- Saxon feet, with the light clutch allowing for some swift shifts despite the gearstick being on the lengthy side. The whole cabin actually feels pretty spacious, with excellent visibility, and it’s a pleasingly logical dash layout with a long, rectangular instrument cluster that offers enticing orange zones on each of its gauges.
The exterior, too, provides plenty to woo anyone intrigued by Italian design. Those alloy wheels are a dream, and look at those circular door handles and chiselled indicators. Quirky.
If this car has foibles, they’re mainly felt in those initial moments when you try to settle in. It’s just a little awkward to get comfortable in, thanks mainly to a slightly high driving position, and a gearlever that requires a small stretch to reach. But this isn’t a car to lounge about in – it definitely wants to pick a fight. WHAT TO PAY // CONCOURS £9-10.5K // EXCELLENT £7.5-8.5K // USABLE £5-7K // PROJECT £2-3K