1977 Fiat 127 1.0L 4MT FWD (70 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Fiat introduced a refreshed version of its supermini model 127 in 1977, and besides some stylistic changes, it also came with a sport version.

When the Italian automaker introduced the 127 in the late ’60s, it was surprised by the car’s success on the market. Thanks to the innovative solutions adopted, such as the transversely-mounted engine, it became a hit on the European market. In addition, the car was licensed for other countries such as Poland and Yugoslavia. So, even though it was about time to be replaced, the automaker kept building it until 1981.

After the mid-70s, the automakers started to introduce plastic wrap-around bumpers on their cars to make them more aerodynamic and also to comply with safety standards. Thus, the 127 received a new front fascia. Its turn signals were moved from under the headlights into the bumper for a sleeker look. Another significant change was at the rear, where the car finally received a tailgate instead of a separate trunk lid that opened without the rear window, as in the first series.

Inside, the 127 provided plenty of legroom for front passengers thanks to the transversely-mounted engine. That solution allowed the automaker to move the seats forward so the rear occupants could get better legroom in the back as well. In addition, since it was already a hatchback, Fiat installed a flat-folding rear bench instead of the fixed one on its predecessor.

Under the hood, the automaker kept the 0.9-liter powerplant from its predecessor and added a 1.0-liter option that provided up to 70 PS (69 hp).