Fiat 128 Original Italian Generation Rally
Introduced in March 1971, the Fiat 128 Rally combined two-door saloon bodywork with a 1,290 cc engine and distinctive sporting details. Its final production year remains unconfirmed here.
A sporting saloon
The Fiat 128 Rally debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971. It was a sporting two-door saloon within the original Italian generation of the Fiat 128, distinct from the later Sport Coupé. Stellantis identifies Rivalta as the starting point of Italian 128 production, although its account does not separately document Rally assembly locations.
Its significance was the addition of a sporting saloon to Fiat’s front-wheel-drive family-car range. Stellantis Heritage describes the sports versions as accessible foundations for competition preparation.
Design and equipment
A matte-black grille, laurel-framed Fiat badge, additional front lamps, black lower-body stripes and four round rear lights distinguished the Rally. The rear lamps came from the 850 Sport Coupé. Inside, sporting front seats incorporated headrests.
Stellantis describes a single-overhead-camshaft engine enlarged to 1,290 cc, quoting 67 hp, and the addition of brake assistance. That published power figure is retained without assuming a measurement standard or applying it to other markets. Manufacturer history.
Engineering and competition identity
The FIA database identifies the Rally as an Italian, front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder car of 1,290 cc, homologated in Group 1 under number 5415.
The accompanying homologation form documents two-door steel monocoque construction, independent front and rear suspension, front coil springs, a transverse rear leaf spring, and servo-assisted brakes with front discs and rear drums. These details describe the documented homologation configuration; competition extensions should not be treated as universal showroom equipment.
Production chronology and scope
The original homologation form, page 1, states that construction of the documented model began on 30 December 1970. This production milestone precedes the March 1971 public introduction; neither date is presented here as a market-specific model year.
The form gives homologation validity from 1 July 1971, whereas the FIA database entry lists 2 July 1971. The one-day discrepancy is retained. The database’s 1 January 1981 end-of-homologation date concerns competition eligibility, not the end of manufacture.
A final Rally production year and total production figure are not established here. The parent generation’s 1969–1985 span must not be transferred to this variant. This record covers the Italian Rally saloon; export specifications and overseas-built 128 derivatives require separate evidence.
Fiat 128 Original Italian Generation (1969–1985)
Parent generation record for the wider Italian 128 range.
Sources and photograph
- Stellantis Heritage — Fiat 128: manufacturer history and Rally introduction
- FIA Historic Database — Fiat 128 Rally, homologation 5415
- ACI/CSAI — original FIA homologation form 5415 and extensions
- Lucarelli — Fiat 128 Rally photograph, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Browse related records
1 records
Fiat 128 Original Italian Generation Rally 1290 cc SOHC Engine
The Fiat 128 Rally used a 1290 cc single-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine. Its quoted 67 hp output distinguishes this sporting saloon application from the 75 hp Sport Coupé.
Engine
No matching records.