Who isn’t a sucker for something pretty and Italian? And if it’s an unusual variant of an already-rare model, with some neat modifications, it’s like catnip to us. The Fiat 128 Sport L (also known as an SL, but this is what the badge says), with its innovative sedan underpinnings, was a pretty little coupe that took some of its lines from the Fiat versions of Dinos, not a bad place at all from which to take inspiration. You can also see some of big brother 124 coupe in there. Next to the Sport L, the successor model 128 3P looks more like Fiat’s quick-and-dirty attempt to put together a hatch to compete with the A1 VW Golf. You can find this 1973 Fiat 128 Sport L for sale in Eugene, OR with bidding at $2025, reserve not met, and about 4 days left to go.
It looks downright exotic in bright red, lowered over yellow Revolution wheels. It doesn’t hurt that it’s pictured in front of a home that’s straight out of Dwell magazine, but how can that first image not get you at least a little excited? The seller says he’s got it set up for autocrossing, although he has yet to enter it in any events. Somehow (perhaps imprisonment or major illness) the seller has only managed to put 500 miles on the thing, instead of tearing up all the local back roads every weekend. Perhaps after all that work, it wasn’t quite what he expected?
It’s said to have all kinds of performance modifications to the brakes, suspension, and engine, and is equipped with racing seats (just like today’s Monaco), seatbelts, and roll cage. Oddly enough, the roll cage is said to be not race legal, so what’s the point? Perhaps the seller is trying to avoid future liability? It’s also had many new parts, including clutch, brakes, and rear strut tower brace.
While there are some great pictures of the car in the auction, the interior is not well-photographed, so we don’t get to see the racing seats, belts, or rollcage. Unfortunately, the rear seat has been removed. It’s not like you’d use it much, but if the car’s designed for it, it’s nice to be able to take along the odd 3rd friend here and there. The heater has also been pulled to accommodate some engine modifications.
And here it is – the Lampredi Fiat 128 SOHC engine, with quad Keihin motorcycle carbs to get the fuel in there. It’s not clear why the seller specifies they’re Italian Keihins, as Keihin is a Japanese company – perhaps these are original specification for a Ducati or Aprilia? Hopefully they maintain their tune well, as synching four of these little guys is probably a right kerfuffle. But it must sound amazing at full thrust, and the seller says the car pulls really well. With only about 75,000 miles on the car, it is not said to be rebuilt, yet does not smoke or leak oil. If you do decide to take the plunge, get ready to talk to everyone you see about this little attention-getting jewel.
Rusty But Trusty 
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