FIAT 128 1300 CL
RUN BY Simon Hucknall
OWNED SINCE April 1977
PREVIOUS REPORT February
Boringly, the 128 sailed through its MOT once again. With it now showing just 7600 miles, you may wonder why I bother since, a) I donʼt have to, the Fiat being registered as a historic vehicle, and b) itʼs effectively a new car leading a privileged existence. But itʼs still nearly 50 years old, and somehow missing out on an annual check for the sake of £40 seems plain stupid. I certainly feel reassured by it, anyway.
Another job that may seem superfluous given the external condition of the 128ʼs bodywork is Waxoyling. But, as any owner of a 1970s Fiat will concur, the threat of rust is constant, and no matter how diligent you are about its use (for me, no salted roads and always tucked away in a dry garage), there are always nooks and crannies that attract small amounts of surface rust.
Just before SFP came back from its recommissioning at Middle Barton Garage three years ago, it received a good dose of Waxoyl, so I thought it was about time for another goingover. The floorpan appeared still to have a good covering, so my focus was on box-sections and the insides of door, boot and bonnet panels, all of which have tiny pressing holes ideal for pumping in loads of waxy gunk.
At the end of my previous report, I mentioned that SFP had paid a visit to our February issue ECOTY shoot at Bicester Heritage. We used Ton van Zijlʼs lovely 1970 car on the day, but when it came to recreating our cover pic in Bicesterʼs main hangar for the first Sunday Scramble of 2024, SFP was enlisted to stand in for Tonʼs first-series 128. Even with Porsche UKʼS immaculate 928 sitting next to it, I still reckon that it received just as much attention. Thatʼs the good thing about Bicesterʼs Scrambles: thereʼs just as much interest in rare underdogs such as the Fiat as there is for the more plentiful exotica around the site. It was also heartening to meet lots of C&SC readers who had seen the car before on these pages.
Back to Ton and his 128, and weʼre now looking to bring our cars together once again at an appropriate UK event. Theyʼre now rare cars – at least in this condition, and in this country – and look superb side by side in their contrasting Pippin Red and Positano Yellow. And if you read my New Yearʼs resolution in the February issue, I also have plans to head to Turin with my son in SFP, which – if it comes to pass – will be the longest journey Iʼve ever undertaken in the car.
Before we embark on any road trips, Iʼll be looking into why Iʼm getting some part-throttle hesitancy. I am pretty sure itʼs down to the Solex carb, so plan to seek specialist assistance before it gets any worse.