Fiat 125
The Fiat 125 is a passenger car conceived and built by the Italian brand Fiat, which took entirely the platform of its predecessor, the Fiat 1500 C, on which a body was adopted that took certain stamping elements from the recently presented Fiat 124, a new rear suspension by leaf springs and the innovative bi-shaft engines that would make the model famous. It was produced from 1967 to 1982.
Outside Italy they were initially built as hybrid versions, with suspensions and engines from the Fiat 1500 under their updated bodywork. These versions were produced in Poland by FSO, where it was marketed as the Polski Fiat 125p until the license expired, at which time the local model FSO Polonez was developed on its basis, while in Argentina it was marketed as the Fiat 1600 until it was replaced by the Fiat 125, already with the original engines and suspension, on which an indigenous product called the Fiat 125 Mirafiori would later also be developed. Available exclusively in origin as a saloon with four side doors, in these countries it was even offered with family bodies and "pickup", plus a coupe produced in Argentina.
Features
Despite its resemblance to the Fiat 124 —appeared the year before— it was a structurally different model. Although it shared doors and a roof with the 124, it was designed on the platform of the old 1500 C, which gave it different proportions —with a higher wheelbase and visibly narrower tracks—, to which the new definition of the wings also contributed. front that adopted the style of the Fiat 130. It exclusively used the bialbero engines, which have always been associated with the model together with the double wishbone front suspension from the 1500 and a new rear axle with leaf springs, inspired by the one from the first series of the Fiat Dino.
It had a spacious passenger compartment, with a large glass surface and capacity for five seats, despite the fact that the transmission tunnel, as in many other classic-powered cars, diminished the useful space for passengers. Its habitability compared to the 124 together with more careful finishes and the exclusive use of bi-shaft engines placed it commercially one step above its brother, in what would today be "segment D".
Context
The Fiat 125 was born as a direct response to the threat posed by the change in fashion in Europe in the mid-1960s for the Fiat 1500 C, already hinted at by the Alfa Romeo Giulia just one year after the presentation of the Fiat 1300/ 1500 in 1961. Despite its good finishes and well-deserved fame, the evolution of the 1500 through the lengthening of its platform to turn it into the 1500 C did nothing but earn it a reputation for being outdated due to its similarity with the Fiats with an "Americanized" aesthetic, (the Fiat 1300 on the one hand and the fiat 1800/2100 on the other), whose replacement by the Fiat 124 and Fiat 130, with very modern lines, was imminent.
The 1500 C for its part was going to be replaced by a different and completely new model, the Fiat 132, whose development was still in its infancy along with that of the distant future Fiat 131, for which reason Dante Giacosa faced the decline of sales decides to modernize the 1500 C, giving it the "trapezoidal" Italian aesthetic in vogue of the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Lancia Fulvia and above all the Fiat 124 [1] and the future 130 [2] at the lowest possible cost until the presentation of 132 [3]. For this, the entire platform of the 1500 C was used, with a wheelbase 8 cm higher than that of the Fiat 124, which guaranteed greater habitability, placing the new model on a higher step, but taking advantage of elements in production as far as possible, such as visibly the doors of the 124 Special although with the rear seat placed substantially further back.
On the other hand, the use of the platform of the Fiat 1300/1500, which had abandoned the traditional spring suspension of the old Fiat 1400 and 1800 in favor of a conventional leaf spring suspension, made it impossible to use the rear axle with coil springs from the new 124 since this would have meant a substantial modification of the platform to accommodate them. Instead, it used a very modern rigid rear axle with leaf springs, inspired by the one originally mounted on the Fiat Dino sports car. It used leaf springs with only two "Chevrolet Uniflex" type leaves, lighter and more flexible than the conventional ones, which acted as an elastic element and as a carrier arm both longitudinally and transversally, but whose flexibility prevented them from controlling the torque reaction (tendency of the train to twist on itself and on the transmission shaft). For this purpose, he used some reaction stays on the bridge (anchored in front unlike the Dino) that together with the crossbows formed the famous "schema a quadrilatero" -or deformable parallelogram- that Fiat would also adopt the suspension by springs and rigid arms of the 124 S and later in the 131 and 132.
To maintain its status from the 124, in Italy it built only the 1608 cc twin overhead cam engines which were not originally fitted to the 124 range. Created by Aurelio Lampredi, the twin overhead cams were dragged by a neoprene belt and yielded 90 CV (DIN) at 5600 RPM in its initial basic version, and 100 CV (DIN) at 6200 RPM in the Fiat 125 Special released later. This version offered a 5-speed synchronized manual gearbox as standard, and had an optional 3-speed automatic gearbox.
The model stood out for its power and performance, which allowed it to participate in rallies and competitions of all kinds. It was manufactured in its country of origin until 1972, and in others such as Argentina until 1982, the last of the line in the Argentine range being the "125 Mirafiori" model.
Versions
First series (1967-1972)
It was the first to be launched, with a 1608 cc 90 CV (DIN) engine and a 4-speed gearbox.
In 1968 the Special version was presented, with slight tweaks that allowed it to reach 100 CV (DIN), a 5-speed gearbox, and various stylistic tweaks to the bodywork. It was highly appreciated for its performance and luxury, reaching higher-end car standards.
The second series of the Special (1970-1972): Several design details were changing year after year, such as new direction indicators located under the front bumper and a new grille.
In 1972 the new rear lights with a horizontal design were adopted.
Second series (1974-1975)
Second series featured a chrome grille, horizontal taillights, and a central reverse light under the rear bumper. It had a chrome trim at waist height. It was equipped with a 4-speed synchronized gearbox and reverse, rev counter, oil pressure gauge and voltmeter.
Engines used in the Fiat 125
1600 Engine Code 125BT.038
Longitudinal front, 4 cylinders in line, 1608 cc, 8 valves, double overhead camshaft driven by a neoprene toothed belt, and a power of 90 CV (DIN) at 4,800 RPM, 80 mm piston diameter and stroke 80mm. Compression ratio 9.0:1.Weber 34 DCHE 21 and Solex C34 PAIA carburetor, double body
This engine was also used with 76 CV and lower compression in the Argentine Multicarga and Taxi models.
Engine 1600 Code 125B.038
Longitudinal front, 4 cylinders in line, 1608 cc, 8 valves, double overhead camshaft driven by a neoprene toothed belt and a power of 100 CV (DIN) at 6,200 RPM, piston diameter 80 mm and stroke 80 mm, fed by a twin-barrel Weber or Solex carburettor. This engine was used in the Special version, and in the Argentine Berlina, Familiar, Mirafiori and Sport models until 1974.
1600 Engine Code 125BC.038 (Exclusive for the Argentine market)
Longitudinal front, 4 cylinders in line, 1608 cc 8 valves, double overhead camshaft driven by neoprene toothed belt and a power of 125 HP/ 6,400 RPM, 80 mm piston diameter and 80 mm stroke, powered by a double-barrel Solex C34 EIES carburettor. This engine was used in the Argentine models Potenciado, SL (after 1978), CL (1980-1982) and Mirafiori CLO.
Polski Fiat 125p / FSO 1300/1500
The Polski Fiat 125p / 125p/FSO 1300/1500 manufactured under license in Poland by the Factory of Passenger Cars (or FSO, for its acronym in Polish), in the period from 1967 to 1991, initially under the brand name "Polski Fiat," and marketed as the Polski Fiat 125p, and after the end of the initial license, as the FSO 1500, FSO 1300 or FSO 125p.
Fiat 125 in Argentina
In Argentina, many people confuse the Fiat 125 with the Fiat 1600, since they basically share the same body, but with different mechanics. The latter was manufactured between 1969 and 1972, it shared a bodywork with the first Italian "125", and although the displacement was similar, the engine did not share anything with the original Italian, since this was an evolution of a local conception on the veteran Lampredi engine with three bearing crankshaft and hemispherical cylinder head from the Fiat 1300/1500. In 1972 the "125" appeared, with the original double overhead camshaft engine driven by a neoprene toothed belt, presenting aesthetic updates that put it in order with the Italian line of that time. In 1976 the "125 Powered" appeared in this country, with a higher performance engine. In 1978 a new restyling was produced, but in this case they were only small aesthetic modifications without major mechanical changes. A basic version was also presented, without the chrome trims that characterized the model, and with a front identical to that of the "Multicarga" pickup. This model was mainly used as a taxi.
In 1980, the last Argentine version appeared, the 125 Mirafiori, with new changes to the headlights and bumpers, restyling that extended to the entire range, including the basic and Multicarga versions. At the end of 1982, the Argentine company Sevel decided to abandon the production of the model.
It should also be noted that in this country, the «125» range included different versions: Pickup «Multicarga» (of Argentine design), Saloon 4 doors and Familiar.
In 1972, a sports version was presented that was called 125 Sport. This car was nothing more than the evolution of a car previously fully developed in the country, which was known as Fiat 1600 Sport. Like the saloon version, the 125 Sport equipped the engines of the 125 saloon, also having its enhanced version.
.jpg)
In the sports field, in South America the Fiat 125 reaped great successes in the hands of local drivers such as Danilo Bonamici, Jorge Raúl Recalde, Ricardo Zunino, Rubén Daray and Juan Carlos Rizzuto.
Likewise, during the so-called «sweet silver» of the 1990s, a large number of Russian Lada Laikas were imported into Argentina, a model directly derived from the Fiat 124 (and not from the Fiat 125, which was a derivative of the Fiat 1500, and therefore therefore they had nothing in common), in saloon and station wagon versions.
Dimensions of Argentine models
- Long:
4251mm (berlin)
4266mm (family)
4270mm (1600 Sport coupé fastback)
4250mm (Multicharge pickup) - Width:
1612mm (bell, family and Multiload pickup)
1530mm (1600 Sport coupé fastback) - Maximum height: (c/load):
1398mm (berlina)
1402mm (family)
1380mm (1600 Sport coupé fastback)
1413mm (Multicharge pickup) - Distance between axes:
2506mm (all versions) - Front path:
1311mm (bender, family and 1600 Sport coupé fastback)
1308mm (Multicharge pickup) - Rear road:
1288mm (bender, family and 1600 Sport coupé fastback)
1285mm (Multicharge pickup) - Minimal turn radio:
5400mm (all versions)
Weights
- Weight in order of march (c/supply, spare wheel, tools and accessories):
1055 kg
1090 kg (family)
1050 kg (1600 Sport coupé fastback)
1000 kg (Multicharge) - Useful charge:
1055 kg (5 People + 50 kg) (bender)
1090 kg (5 people + 50 kg or a person + 330 kg) (family)
1050 kg (4 people + 50 kg)(Sport)-1000 kg (3 people; luggage: 50 kg in box 600 kg)(Multicharge) - Maximum tow weight:
900 kg (bender, family and 1600 Sport coupé fastback) - Total weight at full load:
1455 kg
1490 kg (family)
1380 kg (1600 Sport coupé fastback)
1850 kg (Multicharge).
Fiat 125 in Chile
The second series of the 125 Special was exported in large quantities to Chile from Argentina and Italy under the CKD regime, which were assembled at the plant that had the brand in the city of Rancagua, (notwithstanding some very specific units that They came completely finished from their country of origin) where tires, upholstery and windows of national origin were mainly installed, being the first vehicle sold in that country to be equipped with a five-speed gearbox and disc brakes on all 4 wheels. In addition, and as background, the models entirely manufactured in Italy carried electrical elements such as the Magneti Marelli alternator, wiper motor and starter motor, unlike those assembled in Chile that carried Femsaco brand elements, as well as the odometer/tachometer assembly. of the Italian model was Veglia Borletti, while the national model was Siap Veglia.
When the production of the Italian Special ended in 1972, it was quickly replaced by the Argentine I series, which meant a decrease in quality and equipment, and the walnut imitation plywood, the rear brake discs and the fifth wheel disappeared from the dashboard speed.
Historically it became famous for its use as a representative car and escort for the government of Salvador Allende Gossens, in said model the president and his personal guard, the GAP (Group of Friends of the President) traveled and it is common to see them in documentaries of era about the Military Coup, circulating swiftly through the streets of Santiago, as calm and elegant escorts during the visit that Fidel Castro made to that country in 1971, or in images after the Coup in which the military are shown pointing to the aforementioned cars inside the presidential palace of La Moneda charred.
The Fiat 125 in Chile created a myth difficult to erase, due to its role as an icon of the most turbulent time in the recent history of this country and its outstanding mechanical qualities for what was seen in the market at that time, dominated by cars with mechanics as outdated as the Citroën 2CV, or the Peugeot 404, among others.
It is a vehicle highly appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts, who as faithful and zealous guardians of their legacy, try to preserve their cars in the best way, even participating in international meetings and keeping alive the memory of that car that forever transformed the 4-wheel history of that country, with its peculiar exhaust sound and its unmistakable imprint.
Competition
Since the mid-1970s, the Fiat 125 was introduced in the Chilean motorsport championships, where it had a strong rivalry with the Peugeot 504, in 1982 the Monobrand 125 championship was created, which had almost 40 participants by date, being one of the most anticipated races by fans, due to the evenness of the races and the great duels that took place, it was also a school for many drivers who later stood out in higher categories such as Formula Three, in 1985 they had the record for the largest number of participants in a single date with 36 registered that it held until 1990 when the Nissan Sunny Trophy broke the record with 40 participants on the first date. In 1989, some modifications were made to the body to create the Fiat 125 Centurión, a racing car based on the Fiat 125 model, the design was created by Jaime Bunster and with a great organization and television broadcasts throughout the country. In addition, various and renowned drivers from the "golden age of Chilean motorsport" they made their first weapons on these powerful machines.
The Fiat 125 S was displaced by the powerful Fiat 132, which was nothing more than the commercial substitute of the same Fiat 125. Today and for several years there have been regional competition categories that have the Fiat as the base model 125. In most of the Chilean racetracks there is the category, known for its power, in the Huachalalume de La Serena, La Pampilla de Coquimbo and Villa Olímpica de Quilpué racetracks, Fiat 125s participate, cars that despite their years compete with others much more modern, being common that they emerge victorious.