1985 Fiat 127 1050 Sport review from Poland

Rust. Rust everywhere, especially the back of the car due to poor repairs made by the used car dealership. I didn't pay too much attention until I hit a kerb while sliding (in an amateur rally) with the side of the car and the rear axle came off... But after a lot of welding and changing all three doors (also rusted) it was more or less OK.

Cool car! A special version, the small engine pumps out 75 horse power! And weighting just 750 kilos it is a real rocket! The manufacturer also tweaked the suspension: sport springs and shocks. Stiff and some 3 centimeters lower than the standard 127. The handling is very good even though the rear suspension is somewhat primitive. Interior has nice sporty feel to it thanks to a leather covered sport steering wheel. Car is quite long, but taller people will have trouble with finding room for their heads.

There can be some problems with servicing. I didn't waste my time with Fiat service as they have trouble servicing "odd" cars (well, at least they do in Poland). Bodywork parts had to be imported from Italy as well as the exhaust system, but the latter can be put together from different pieces (pipes from an FSO Polonez, mufflers from Zastava 1100, etc.), unfortunately doing so reduces power. Other "strange" part was the air filter (strange dimensions) but I wasn't hard to get one.

The rear axle coming off... Well all the trouble with excessive rust on the back of the car was connected (again) with amateur rallying. The previous owner skidded and hit a tree with the back of the car at some 50 kph and the used car dealer made some hasty (and cheap) repairs which actually doomed the car in result. Even after welding it never was quite as good as before...