Description
TWIN WEBBER CARBS FITTED
Capable of outperforming the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Escort XR3i, Vauxhall Astra GTE and MG Maestro at the time, the often forgotten Fiat Ritmo 130 TC Abarth was arguably the best hot hatchback of the 1980s. Designed by Fiat's in-house design team, the compact, lightweight Ritmo was the perfect candidate for superior performance, so they turned to Fiat's legendary coachbuilder, Abarth, to make it extraordinarily fast.
The 130TC was the second-generation Ritmo Abarth, a post-facelift successor to the 125TC that saw some success on the rallye circuit. In addition to the more powerful 128hp 2. 0 liter inline-four, we are partial to the facelifted car’s quad headlights and beefier taillights, although the basic Ritmo design – even including the funky round door handles – remained largely unchanged throughout the model’s run. The polished alloy wheels were a carryover from the 125TC, but definitely look the part, as does the oddly-shaped rear spoiler.
The heavily bolstered Recaro seats are period cool with hollowed-out headrests a ‘la Audi and the hole in the bottom cushion suitable for a racing harness, though you have to install that yourself. This car’s interior, like its exterior, is in remarkably clean condition, and in good colors. It is unusual to find any 1980s vintage cloth interior intact, so it’s a real plus in this car. The gauge cluster, despite being square and housing a bunch of square gauges, provides the driver with just about everything they could want or hope to know about the mechanical operation of the car.
The 130TC will power from 0-60mph in a hair over 7. 5 seconds, which will blow the doors off a Mk 1 Volkswagen GTI and any number of other period hot hatches. I like to think that part of that is due to the fact that this car comes with carburetors. Carburetors are just easier, and they sound cool, too. Note the trumpets in the Abarth’s airbox. Very cool.
From 60mph, the 130TC’s DOHC and close-ratio ZF 5-speed transmission will take the car all the way up to a not insignificant 121mph which, in a car this size, probably feels like about 150. But straight line performance surely isn’t what this car is about. This car is for winding out on gravelly back roads, jumping over small hills, and scaring the bejeezus out of whomever you have conned into the passenger seat. Or for showing-up the GTI guy. After all, those cars, relatively speaking, are quite common. Think different!
Here we have an example dating back to 1986. It has been well maintained by its owners and boasts serial numbers and colours matching factory specifications, along with the original Fiat/ Abarth interior, making it a highly desirable example of this iconic model.
Originally purchased in New Zealand at Christchurch Fiat its taxed there for many years until 2019 where it found itself in the UK. Just prior to being exported the engine was rebuilt in 2017.
Making it ready for modern travel the last keeper added a serious sound system with a reverse camera.
This car comes with lots of spare parts inc a second set of wheels, trims, spare door cards, seats and miscaleanous items.
This Ritmo is ready to offer its new owner an exciting driving experience.
Call us on the details below for a viewing or online purchase.
