Fiat 127
Encyclopedia
The Fiat 127 is a supermini
produced by the Italian
automaker Fiat
between 1971 and 1983. It was introduced in 1971 as the replacement for the Fiat 850
. Production of the 127 in Italy ended in 1983 following the introduction of its replacement, the Fiat Uno
.
, using an identical body profile but with a full-depth rear door and folding rear seat, was launched the following year This was Fiat's first super-mini sized hatchback, along with a state-of-the-art transverse engine/front wheel drive layout, with the transmission mounted on the end of the engine, both design ideas had been fully trialled since 1964, by Fiat's Autobianchi
subsidiary with the Autobianchi Primula
and 1969 Autobianchi A112
. The 1970 Fiat 128
was the first Fiat badged car to use the same transverse powertrain layout. The 127 used the rugged 903 cc overhead valve engine, that had powered the Autobianchi and, with various cylinder capacities, earlier generations of Fiat cars. The 127 also featured a unique transverse leaf spring
suspension at the rear. The car was one of the first of the modern superminis, and won praise for its utilisation of space (80 percent of the floor space was available for passengers and luggage) as well as its road-holding. It was also the first car fitted with an all-polypropylene
bumper on steel support. The 127 was an instant success, winning the European Car of the Year
award for 1972, and quickly became one of the best-selling cars in Europe
for several years. It was the third Fiat in six years to receive this accolade.
In June 1974, slightly above three years following the model's introduction, Fiat reported that the one millionth 127 had been completed at the Mirafiori plant in Turin
. The (in its time) hugely successful Fiat 600
had taken seven years to reach that same milestone.
, which had initially been marketed alongside the 127, was withdrawn from most markets.
unit from the 128. The tailgate was extended and now reached nearly to the rear bumper, addressing complaints about the high lip over which luggage had to be lifted for loading into the earlier 127 hatchbacks.
There was also a "high-cube" panel van
version, known as the Fiorino
which was based on the Series 2 bodyshell, and this remained in production until 1984, when a new Uno-based Fiorino debuted.
In Scandinavia
and the Baltic
nations it was particularly successful, and there are still many in circulation today.
range. The car received a completely new dashboard design and interior, again following the design language first seen in the Ritmo. The 1,301 cc Fiat SOHC
engine was also introduced as an option for the Series 3.
In nations like Norway
, Denmark
and Finland
it was particularly successful, and there are still many in circulation today.
The 127 was replaced as Fiat's high volume product in this sector by the Fiat Uno
in January 1983, though versions manufactured in South America continued in production till 1995: Fiat imported the South American 127 Unificata to Europe, until 1987.
made a Spanish version of this car called the SEAT 127. Due to SEAT
design policy, a 4-door variant of the car was produced. SEAT also produced a unique variant of the 127 OHV engine. This had 1,010 cc instead of 903 cc and produced 50 bhp.
When their licence from Fiat expired, SEAT redesigned some parts of the car and created the SEAT Fura
Dos. Some design parts of this model were also used in the Ibiza mark 1
. SEAT produced 1,238,166 units of the 127 between 1972 and 1984.
(between 1974 and 1975) under the name Polski Fiat 127p. These were assembled using both Italian and Polish parts. Originally the Polski Fiat 127p was to be produced in large numbers as a people's car, but when it became apparent that it would be about 30% more expensive than the 126p it was decided to concentrate on the latter while the larger 127p was only produced in very small numbers.
the car was known as the Fiat 147
(later Spazio), and a 3-door station wagon
version called "Panorama" was also produced there. The Brazilian built versions also utilized a 1.3 L Diesel engine
(for export markets only). From 1981 this variant (called a 127) was actually exported to Europe, to be sold alongside the 127 sedans and hatchbacks. A total of 1,169,312 units were built from 9 July 1976 to the end of 1985 in Brazil and 232,807 units were also built in Argentina
between 1982 and 1996, as the Fiat 147, Spazio, and Vivace. It was also assembled in the CCA in Colombia
. Although the car achieved reasonable selling figures, the model was titled as "low-level" and "not so reliable" by early buyers, because of the fact that Fiat was just starting selling cars in Brazil in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
made a canvas-topped version in the style of the Renault Rodeo
and Citroën Méhari
called the "Midimaxi" (to set it apart from the smaller, 126
-based Minimaxi). In spite of its rugged appearance, the front-wheel drive underpinnings remained the same.
, centered on a (fictional) Japanese auto manufacturer reopening a shutdown automobile factory in a fictional western Pennsylvania
town, some of the movie's "Assan Motors" cars were Fiat 127s in various stages of completion.
Supermini car
A supermini is a British term that describes automobiles larger than a city car but smaller than a small family car. This car class is also known as the B-segment across Europe, and as subcompact in North America....
produced by the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
automaker Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
between 1971 and 1983. It was introduced in 1971 as the replacement for the Fiat 850
Fiat 850
The Fiat 850 is a small longitudinal-rear-engined rear wheel drive car which was produced between 1964 and 1973.-Overview:Its technical design was an evolution of the very successful Fiat 600. The internal name for the Fiat 600 development project was "Project 100" and consequently, the internal...
. Production of the 127 in Italy ended in 1983 following the introduction of its replacement, the Fiat Uno
Fiat Uno
The Fiat Uno is a supermini car produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat. The Uno was launched in 1983 and built in its homeland until 1995, with production still taking place in other countries.-First series :...
.
Overview
Initially only available as a two-door saloon when launched in April 1971, a three-door hatchbackHatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
, using an identical body profile but with a full-depth rear door and folding rear seat, was launched the following year This was Fiat's first super-mini sized hatchback, along with a state-of-the-art transverse engine/front wheel drive layout, with the transmission mounted on the end of the engine, both design ideas had been fully trialled since 1964, by Fiat's Autobianchi
Autobianchi
Autobianchi was an Italian automobile manufacturer, created jointly by Bianchi, Pirelli and Fiat in 1955. Autobianchi produced only a handful of models during its lifetime, which were almost exclusively small cars, with the biggest being the short-lived Autobianchi A111, a small family car...
subsidiary with the Autobianchi Primula
Autobianchi Primula
The Autobianchi Primula is a small car from the Italian automaker, Autobianchi , built between 1964 and 1970. It was Fiat's first automobile with the front-wheel drive, transverse engine setup, as well as the first Fiat group car with rack and pinion steering...
and 1969 Autobianchi A112
Autobianchi A112
The Autobianchi A112 is a supermini produced by the Italian automaker Autobianchi. It was developed using the mechanicals which subsequently underpinned the Fiat 127. It was introduced in 1969, as a replacement for the Bianchina and Primula, and was built until 1986, when it made way for the more...
. The 1970 Fiat 128
Fiat 128
The Fiat 128 is a small family car manufactured by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1969 to 1985. The engine was designed by the famous Ferrari racing engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.-History:...
was the first Fiat badged car to use the same transverse powertrain layout. The 127 used the rugged 903 cc overhead valve engine, that had powered the Autobianchi and, with various cylinder capacities, earlier generations of Fiat cars. The 127 also featured a unique transverse leaf spring
Leaf spring
Originally called laminated or carriage spring, a leaf spring is a simple form of spring, commonly used for the suspension in wheeled vehicles...
suspension at the rear. The car was one of the first of the modern superminis, and won praise for its utilisation of space (80 percent of the floor space was available for passengers and luggage) as well as its road-holding. It was also the first car fitted with an all-polypropylene
Polypropylene
Polypropylene , also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications including packaging, textiles , stationery, plastic parts and reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers, automotive components, and polymer banknotes...
bumper on steel support. The 127 was an instant success, winning the European Car of the Year
European Car of the Year
The European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar , Autopista , Autovisie , L'Automobile Magazine , Stern and Vi Bilägare .The voting jury consists of motoring...
award for 1972, and quickly became one of the best-selling cars in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for several years. It was the third Fiat in six years to receive this accolade.
In June 1974, slightly above three years following the model's introduction, Fiat reported that the one millionth 127 had been completed at the Mirafiori plant in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
. The (in its time) hugely successful Fiat 600
Fiat 600
The Fiat 600 is a city car produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1955 to 1969. Measuring only 3.22 m long, it was the first rear-engined Fiat and cost the equivalent of about € 6,700 or US$ 7300 in today's money . The total number produced from 1955 to 1969 at the Mirafiori...
had taken seven years to reach that same milestone.
Series 1
The Series 1 car changed little during its lifetime. However, in May 1973 saloons became available in both standard and de Luxe versions. In 1975 the 127 Special variant was released which featured a restyled front grille and detail changes to the interior. The de Luxe version was differentiated by its reclining front seats and opening hinged rear side windows as standard equipment. During the next couple of years the Fiat 850Fiat 850
The Fiat 850 is a small longitudinal-rear-engined rear wheel drive car which was produced between 1964 and 1973.-Overview:Its technical design was an evolution of the very successful Fiat 600. The internal name for the Fiat 600 development project was "Project 100" and consequently, the internal...
, which had initially been marketed alongside the 127, was withdrawn from most markets.
Series 2
The Series 2 version of the 127 debuted in 1977. It featured a restyled front and rear, a new dashboard (although almost identical in layout to that of the Series 1), larger rear side windows and a the option of the 1,049 cc engine - uniquely for the 127 this was the "Brazil" engine rather than the Fiat SOHCFiat SOHC
Designed by Aurelio Lampredi, the Fiat SOHC engine first appeared in the front-wheel drive Fiat 128 of 1969. The in-line four-cylinder engine comprised an iron block with an aluminium cylinder-head containing a single over-head camshaft operating directly on both the inlet and exhaust valves in a...
unit from the 128. The tailgate was extended and now reached nearly to the rear bumper, addressing complaints about the high lip over which luggage had to be lifted for loading into the earlier 127 hatchbacks.
There was also a "high-cube" panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
version, known as the Fiorino
Fiat Fiorino
Fiorino is a model name that Italian car maker Fiat gives to the van derivatives of its small cars and also the name of an old Italian coin, normally translated into English as the Florin.- First generation :...
which was based on the Series 2 bodyshell, and this remained in production until 1984, when a new Uno-based Fiorino debuted.
In Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
and the Baltic
Baltic states
The term Baltic states refers to the Baltic territories which gained independence from the Russian Empire in the wake of World War I: primarily the contiguous trio of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ; Finland also fell within the scope of the term after initially gaining independence in the 1920s.The...
nations it was particularly successful, and there are still many in circulation today.
Series 3
The Series 3 was launched in Italy in January 1982 and soon reached other European markets. It is distinguishable from the Series 2 by a more assertively plastic grille. The addition of a corresponding panel at the rear of the vehicle implied a new 'house style' inspired by the recently introduced Ritmo/StradaFiat Ritmo
The Fiat Ritmo is an automobile from the Italian manufacturer Fiat, launched in 1978. Styled by Bertone of Italy, it was seen by some as the most distinctive looking small family car in Europe on its launch in 1978 Turin Motorshow. It was badged in Great Britain and North America as the Fiat Strada...
range. The car received a completely new dashboard design and interior, again following the design language first seen in the Ritmo. The 1,301 cc Fiat SOHC
Fiat SOHC
Designed by Aurelio Lampredi, the Fiat SOHC engine first appeared in the front-wheel drive Fiat 128 of 1969. The in-line four-cylinder engine comprised an iron block with an aluminium cylinder-head containing a single over-head camshaft operating directly on both the inlet and exhaust valves in a...
engine was also introduced as an option for the Series 3.
In nations like Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
it was particularly successful, and there are still many in circulation today.
The 127 was replaced as Fiat's high volume product in this sector by the Fiat Uno
Fiat Uno
The Fiat Uno is a supermini car produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat. The Uno was launched in 1983 and built in its homeland until 1995, with production still taking place in other countries.-First series :...
in January 1983, though versions manufactured in South America continued in production till 1995: Fiat imported the South American 127 Unificata to Europe, until 1987.
Engines (from 1977)
| Engine | Cyl. | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 8V | S4 | 45 PS | 63 newton metres (46.5 ft·lbf) |
| 0.9 8V | S4 | 45 PS | 64 newton metres (47.2 ft·lbf) |
| 1.05 8V | S4 | 50 PS | 77 newton metres (56.8 ft·lbf) |
| 1.05 8V | S4 | 70 PS | 83 newton metres (61.2 ft·lbf) |
| 1.3 8V | S4 | 75 PS | 103 newton metres (76 ft·lbf) |
International variants
SEAT 127
As happened with other Fiat models of that era, SEATSEAT
SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer founded on May 9, 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria , a state-owned industrial holding company....
made a Spanish version of this car called the SEAT 127. Due to SEAT
SEAT
SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer founded on May 9, 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria , a state-owned industrial holding company....
design policy, a 4-door variant of the car was produced. SEAT also produced a unique variant of the 127 OHV engine. This had 1,010 cc instead of 903 cc and produced 50 bhp.
When their licence from Fiat expired, SEAT redesigned some parts of the car and created the SEAT Fura
SEAT Fura
The SEAT Fura is a supermini produced by Spanish automaker SEAT from 1981 to 1986. The Fura is a rebadged version of the Fiat 127, available in three and five-door hatchback bodystyles....
Dos. Some design parts of this model were also used in the Ibiza mark 1
SEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza is a car in the European supermini class, constructed by the Spanish car maker SEAT S.A., is SEAT's best-selling car and perhaps the most popular model in the Spanish firm's range....
. SEAT produced 1,238,166 units of the 127 between 1972 and 1984.
Polski Fiat 127p
Fiat 127 was also produced under Fiat license by Polish automobile manufacturers FSO (between 1973 and 1975) and FSMFabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych
The Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych was Polish automobile factory born from an agreement between the FSO and Fiat in 1970s for the construction of a new model, the Polski Fiat 126p, Polish version of Fiat 126. For the project a new manufacturing plant was opened in Tychy...
(between 1974 and 1975) under the name Polski Fiat 127p. These were assembled using both Italian and Polish parts. Originally the Polski Fiat 127p was to be produced in large numbers as a people's car, but when it became apparent that it would be about 30% more expensive than the 126p it was decided to concentrate on the latter while the larger 127p was only produced in very small numbers.
Fiat 147
In BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
the car was known as the Fiat 147
Fiat 147
The Fiat 147 was a three door hatchback compact car produced by Fiat in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais from 1976 until 1986, when it was replaced by the Fiat Uno. It was the Brazilian variant of the Fiat 127...
(later Spazio), and a 3-door station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
version called "Panorama" was also produced there. The Brazilian built versions also utilized a 1.3 L Diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
(for export markets only). From 1981 this variant (called a 127) was actually exported to Europe, to be sold alongside the 127 sedans and hatchbacks. A total of 1,169,312 units were built from 9 July 1976 to the end of 1985 in Brazil and 232,807 units were also built in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
between 1982 and 1996, as the Fiat 147, Spazio, and Vivace. It was also assembled in the CCA in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Although the car achieved reasonable selling figures, the model was titled as "low-level" and "not so reliable" by early buyers, because of the fact that Fiat was just starting selling cars in Brazil in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Specials
Italian coachbuilder MorettiMoretti Motor Company
Moretti Motor Company is a now defunct automobile manufacturer formerly based in Italy. It was founded in 1925 and ceased operations in the mid-1980s. Today, many of its sportscar models can still be found at various European auto shows...
made a canvas-topped version in the style of the Renault Rodeo
Renault Rodeo
The Renault Rodeo is a series of small open-top automobiles produced between 1970 and 1987 by ACL, later called Teilhol, for Renault. In total there were three generations of the Rodeo....
and Citroën Méhari
Citroën Méhari
The Citroën Méhari is a utility car and off-roader produced by the French automaker Citroën. 144,953 Méharis were built between 1968 and 1988. A Méhari is a type of fast-running dromedary camel, which can be used for racing or transport...
called the "Midimaxi" (to set it apart from the smaller, 126
Fiat 126
The Fiat 126 is a city car introduced in October 1972 at the Turin Auto Show as a replacement for the Fiat 500. Most were produced in Bielsko-Biała, Poland as the Polski Fiat 126p until 2000...
-based Minimaxi). In spite of its rugged appearance, the front-wheel drive underpinnings remained the same.
Movie roles
In the 1986 film Gung HoGung Ho (film)
Gung Ho is a 1986 Ron Howard comedy film, released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Michael Keaton and Gedde Watanabe. The film's story portrayed the takeover of an American car plant by a Japanese corporation...
, centered on a (fictional) Japanese auto manufacturer reopening a shutdown automobile factory in a fictional western Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
town, some of the movie's "Assan Motors" cars were Fiat 127s in various stages of completion.