By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
A recent article in the Daily Telegraph highlighted one of the UK’s rarest Italian imports and for me rekindled a special time in motoring history.
The Fiat 125 debuted in 1967 in a market dominated by family-sized British cars like the Ford Cortina 1600E, Triumph 2000 and the Rover P6 range.
It might have had a boxy look but the 125’s main attraction was its 1608cc double overhead camshaft engine taken from the Fiat 124 Sport.
In 1968 along came the 125 S, a highly desirable sports saloon, complete with five-speed gearbox, ample interior space, servo-assisted twin circuit brakes and a modified engine capable of reaching 100bhp. The ‘S’ rightly stood for Special!
Both the 125 and 125 S took parts off the big selling Fiat 124 saloon and would run for five years to 1972 as a manufactured Fiat. It would be a lot longer under license in various countries, from Poland (remember the Polski-Fiat) to Argentina.
Later 125 and 125 S’s came with three-speed automatic transmission and air-conditioning options.
Looking back, the 125 S might be described as understated but inside it exuded Italian chic and it certainly scored on performance.
Sadly, challenging import duties put the brakes on Fiat sales in the UK and helped pave the way for Ford’s dominance in the sporty saloon market.
You may have come across “My Dad had one of those”. Yes indeed my Dad did. Always fairly keen on decent motors he started looking to foreigners to meet his desires. His next was a Renault 16 (or would that have been before?). I guess those experiences had me more open to the French & Italian marques when I was of an age to be buying family cars.
The Polski 125 was actually a different car, having the body if the Fiat 124/125 but the mechanics of the older Fiat 1500
Yes, a licence copy was made in Poland from 1967 to 1991 and known as the 125p. It had a smaller engine and differed in a number of details including four round front lights. An amazing 1.45 million were made.