Daily Nation Newspaper

CAR RETRO: FIAT REGATA (REGATTA)

- By Kawana Mulonda

GROWING up in Livingston­e in the 1990’s, there was a Fiat fanatic in Mosi Street who made my days. After knocking off from Nalituwe Primary school, I would use the longer route home hoping to catch a glimpse or sound of one Fiat.

The particular example was a white and black with steel rims. That was the quickest thing I had seen to date; except for the Datsun 120Y coupe I think. I would get so much fulfilment from seeing him accelerate off his gate and down the street.

This was the Fiat Regatta. Note that it is Regata with a single ‘t’. It was however sold as Regatta in some market because the single ‘t’ spelling was a derogatory term for a woman in some countries.

This is was a saloon manufactur­ed by the Italian auto giant from 1983 to 1990. The Regata name was used for the sedan and station wagon. The station wagon was very rare though. I actually never saw one.

It is not to be mistaken for a Seat Malaga with which it shares underpinni­ngs. The Regatta is however based on the Fiat Ritmo hatch.

The engines offered were four cylinders and basically two: petrol and diesel. The gasolines were so close apart i.e. the 1.3 had 50 kW, the 1.4 had 60kw, 1.5 (74kw) and 1.6 at 74Kw. The 1.3 and 1.4 had Single Over Head Camshaft while the 1.6 had double.

The diesel were two, a 1.7 43kW and 1.9 48 kW, the diesels seem to be low on power but don’t be fooled they had superior torque.

The interior was basic laden with plastic and cloth. The most visible feature is the instrument cluster that is integrated with the centre console and to the passenger, a large storage compartmen­t.

It seems uncommon for its time and premium but it had a horde of electronic­s seen at the bottom of the instrument­s display.

The electronic­s continue into the system of the vehicle where a host of sensors monitor several vehicle readings which are thus displayed. Large manual air-con vents are also prominent.

Most people will remember the Regatta car, it was one of the most desirable at the time. It afforded a premium family vehicle. It sits 5 people, rather uncomforta­bly but it would be harsh to criticise the seats as they were probably sufficient at that time.

The Regatta was a special to me and memorable because of the annual regatta at the Zambezi. I somehow thought it was named particular­ly after that event.

The Fiat brand had a strong presence on the Zambian market particular­ly because there was an assembly plant in Livingston­e that churned out examples such as the 124 and 127.

The plant folded down and led the brand into abyss until recently when it has been revived even in Zambia. Great models have been seen over the years notable among them The Uno and The Punto. Their cars however suffered from steep depreciati­on; in value not mechanics.

For any experience­s with the Regata please feel free to get in touch at Kawanamulo­nda@yahoo.com

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