Racing Fiats

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Fairlane 500
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Racing Fiats

Post by Fairlane 500 » Mon 12 May 2008, 20:38

I knew of some Fiat 1100's racing way back, but don't know who drove them. Did anything from that company run later on?

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Killarney Racer
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by Killarney Racer » Mon 12 May 2008, 21:32

I was just about to start a Fiat thread :mrgreen:

Fiats have raced for years in this country from the couple of Fiat engined specials in the '50's thru to the popular 1100's , 500's and Abarths .Then John Conchie and Eric Adler started a performance shop in the late '60's specialising in turning out hot Fiat Scorpions. Fiat 124 and 125 were raced very succesfully by Conchie. A 128 was raced by Don Bruins I think it was. Then came the 132 that took the Group N apart for at least a year.

So there is quite a heritage, but it is maybe a bit forgotten in favour of other more popular makes. Even Owen Ashley raced a 125.

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zahistorics
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by zahistorics » Tue 13 May 2008, 00:35

My favourite was the Ferrari Dino engined 131 (I think it was a 131) rally car. Completely mental.

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henryk
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by henryk » Tue 13 May 2008, 10:17

Anyone remember the Dave Hawkins Fiat 125. Complete with rubber sideskirts like F1. Any pictures?
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Killarney Racer
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by Killarney Racer » Tue 13 May 2008, 10:26

Yup I remember the Hawkins car - it always looked like a poor mans racer (whoops, sorry Dave)

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Killarney Racer
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by Killarney Racer » Tue 13 May 2008, 10:53

Anyone remember Errol Shearsby who raced a Fiat 500 Abarth - I am not sure he stuck to the 500 engine though, it was probably a lot higher cc. He raced a couple of different Fiats in his time.

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zahistorics
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by zahistorics » Wed 14 May 2008, 07:10

Is Dave Hawkins related to Chris Hawkins? Chris was navigator of aforementioned Fiat Dino rally car.

I met Chris once. He taught me a very important lesson - when you have rolled, and you are upside down, hold onto the roof before you unclip your belts, saves a getting very sore neck. Some years later when I parked my Hi-Lux 4x4 on its roof in the Transkei - I remembered jut in time.

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Hi-Fi
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by Hi-Fi » Wed 14 May 2008, 07:56

It would be nice to find a 124/5 and put one of those on the track. The only thing is spares and parts. I guess they're not too available today.

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zahistorics
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by zahistorics » Wed 14 May 2008, 21:45

There are still a fair number of Lada knocking about in the former east block coumtries - lots of parts compatability with 124.

mmm 124 Special-T - now that was a nice car.

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ZA Perana
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Re: Racing Fiats

Post by ZA Perana » Fri 06 Jun 2008, 22:25

I have somewhere here a genuine enamel Abarth badge....bought it for R10 from a guy that went around scrap yards.....

Anyone remember the 124 OTS.....
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