Fiat 130 Coupe by Pininfarina.  The saloon was launched at the 39th Geneva motor show in March 1969, replacing the previous largest and most exclusive Fiat saloon, the Fiat 2300.  It was a thoroughly modern car with four wheel independant suspension ( torsion bars in front and coil springs at rear), standard power steering and four wheel disc brakes and was the first Fiat to adopt an alternator instead of a direct current generator.

 The coupe, based on the same platform was introduced in March 1971 having been designed by Paolo Martin of Pininfarina, who also manufactured the car. With a unique interior design, it featured a button operated mechanism allowing the driver to open the passenger side door. Production of the saloon ended in 1976 with 15093 produced, the coupe co

ntinued until the following year and 4294 were built in total.

Using the 128 type A motor as a basis a new crossflow V6 engine with a 60 degree vee angle and rubber toothed belt driven twin overhead camshafts was developed for the model by Aurelio Lampredi. It became known as the 130 type A engine with a capacity of 2866cc and a power output of 140 bhp at 5600 rpm. In 1971 the 130 type B engine was introduced featuring a slightly increased bore (102mm instead of 96mm) displacing 3235cc and producing 165bhp at 5600 rpm.

Power was delivered to the rear axle via standard Borg Warner three speed automatic transmission and a 5 speed ZF S5 -18/3 ZF manual was an option.

Front suspension was Macpherson-like with torsion bars instead of springs to allow room for the wide V6 and the optional A/c. The height of the front suspension is adjustable using eccentric cams in the ends of the torsion bars where they are attatched to the body. the rear suspension is independant using conventional springs with good wheel geometry and a limited slip differential. The 130 coupe had ZF power steering and the seats were shaped and designed by Paolo Martin with the collaboration of Giovanni Gottin of Turin. The dashboard was redesigned with sporty round dials using white needles.                                                                                                                                                          The example we are pleased to offer here was first registered in July 1978 and it was one of the last models produced. It was Ziebarted from new and has the late addition of the rare plastic arch liners. It also has the similarly rare factory fitted seat covers made in velour which was the same fabric used to cover the seats in Italian luxury trains. The second owner aquired the vehicle on 19/9/1980 and he kept the car in semi storage and only used it sparingly until sold 22 years later when emigrating he sold it to owner number three. At this time the original purchase receipt stated that the mileage was a genuine 14023 miles. The car at this point was fully serviced mechanically at a cost of over £6000. The next owner was Chris Evans the BBC and radio presenter who kept the car for around 12 months before the current vendor purchased the car through Graeme Hunt of Kensington. Since then the car has been fully serviced and has benefitted from having a new clutch fitted, a stainless steel exhaust system added and is in overall excellent condition both mechanically and cosmetically.          

The current vendor has only covered 700 miles in the past 18 months with the odometer now showing a mere 17000 miles. The vehicle comes complete with a large history file with invoices for servicing, old mot"s and purchase invoices, also included is the registration number NLZ 130 . 

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