Fiat 128 - An Ode To The Survivor
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- In 1972, it was registered as a new car in the Netherlands. The fact it is still driving on Dutch roads fifty years later is quite special. Because in the meantime, all of its direct relatives have vanished. Rusted away and discarded. Because this model was never special enough to preserve. But that's starting to turn around now. Today, it can increasingly count on approving glances and raised thumbs. That’s because when people see it now, they think of that uncle who came to visit. Of holidays to the south of France in the back seat with their siblings. Or maybe it brings back memories of that first driving lesson. And memories, they should not be discarded. They should be valued. Because that is how memories stay alive.
I had a 78 2 door. I drove it for 3 years in Sicily. The unique thing about it was that it was a US model with the big chunky bumpers. Never broke down on me. Outside of tires and brakes only other thing I replaced was the clutch. Didn't bring it back to USA, regrettably.
Strange how did it get there ? I wonder if it had a la the smog gear they had less power then the euro spec 1.3 . The are great cars rust was an issue in the states but they were good cars
@@michaelorlando6159 It had been brought to Sicily by a US Navy servicemember at some point. It had an old sticker from a Navy base in the US Northeast, so likely purchased there.
From the early 80's until 1992 we had a second hand 128,in my family.i loved that car.
What a lovely story. Thank you for sharing. I'm here because thinking of buying a 128 and you have convinced me.
You don’t know how much this spoke to me!
You see, 30+ yrs ago, these were my car of convenience and I discarded a few due to rust and cheap and plentiful replacements. The last one I had, I gave to may father when I got an x19. My father threw away NOTHING!
Ffwd ~30 yrs, and I inherited it back as he passed away. Putting it back in running order and looking forward to driving it again very soon. It’s been therapeutic, cathartic, and a precious connection to the memories we shared… and memories yet to create with my son.
Wow, your response means a lot to me. Sent shivers down my spine. Strange that we sometimes only seem to appreciate what we've actually got until it is gone. Or has become scarce instead of readily available. If you want to share your project, connect with me on Facebook if you have an account there.
Wonderful story, in our family we had Fiat 128 familiare, My Dad bought IT 1971 ,brand new Fiat . After My Dad passed away, i got IT. Drove IT 1.5 years ,until i drove an accident with IT, after that car was not able to get fixed, many good memories we had with Fiat ❤,
I had a version of this, a 128 Sport L, a 2 dr, fastback similar to a Rabbit. I saw quite a few of the 128 mentioned & 131's. They just weren't built to last but an incredible vehicle for a couple of years. Virtually everything fell apart & it was so unreliable. I recall the electric fuel pump quitting many times leaving me stranded only start working again & repeat. Even the new pump was faulty. I had an engine rebuilt, too. Wheel bearings went out and they were the sealed type that had to be pressed on, labor intensive. The plastic screws holding the tail light and front blinker lenses dry rotted and I replaced lenses & had to have screw sockets bored. The vinyl seats completely fell apart coming unstitched and tearing. It overheated frequently. I bought my car at the dealership, 2 years old, but had been sold on a 1974 Beetle that I looked at probably 10 times. I went to buy the Bug, finally, but changed my mind last minute and bought the Fiat. Lesson learned. I still love the 1974 Beetles.
Wat een prachtig eerbetoon! Hij heeft het dubbel en dwars verdiend!
50 jaar en still going strong!
What a wonderful 128 and account of your love and dedication to this lovely iconic fiat.
I had one about 40 years ago here in the UK and absolutely loved it but unfortunately its life was short lived as I wasn't as talented as yourself to save it but it was a great relationship for the short time we were together .
Thank you for sharing and hope you still have many years with this gorgeous automobile.
Que Gran y hermoso proyecto tienes y que bueno que mantengas esa pequeña leyenda italiana aún en la carretera. Ese fue también el auto que usaba Enzo Ferrari como transporte diario. Que lo sigas disfrutando y que permanezca en tu familia como una joya 💎 por generaciones venideras para su conservación y admiración 🤩😍🥰🤗🤗🤗🤗👌👍👍
I will be 50 yrs soon and I absolutely remember this car growing up. My first love was the Alfa Guilia 105 series, but all italian compacts from this era are fantastic. Cant help but smile when you see these cars.. Also ; I remember modifying my Matchbox cars too. And I actually painted mine with the nr 77!
Thank you so very much for sending me down memory lane with your beatiful video, and for keeping that lovely 128 alive.
What a coincidence. My other vintage car is an… Alfa Giulia 105! I will soon make a video about that car too. Bought it sixteen years ago. Then bought the Fiat 128 a month later because I didn’t want to drive the Giulia through the rain if there was a classic car meeting:-)
Amazing! The world is quite small sometimes :-) I will surely be looking out for that video.
Beautifully said, and such a beautiful cars the 128’s
" I arrive in Germany. Volkswagen Research Centre. It was January 1970. In the center of a huge room was a 128 completely disassembled and sectioned, piece by piece. I ask for explanations and they candidly answer that they will never be able to make a car with such refined mechanics at such a low price. For this the Golf will have to be smaller.
In short, the 128 was their reference car "
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Great video and beautiful car 👍
Your video is beautiful for many reasons. I've been thinking about buying a FIAT 128 because my father had one and I have fond memories of that car. Our vacations in the car. My first driving lesson. And yes, those memories can't and will never ever be forgotten, because they connect me to my father.
Don’t think about it too long. Just do it when the right car comes along!
Na jaren aan mijn Fiat 127 gesleuteld en mee gereden te hebben (als trackday auto.. heb ik nu een race/trackday 128 uit 1979! Mooi filmpje van jou "66" 128! 👌🇮🇪🔧🏁
Hoi Willem, veel plezier op het circuit! En met sleutelen in de garage natuurlijk…
A wonderful video Robin......so much thought and love for the 128 given by you....
I had a bright red 128 saloon back in the early 70s....one of Italy's greatest contributions to motoring for the masses...
I was seduced by the 128 Coupe a little later, and sold the saloon 128...Thank you for this video...very well done.
What a fantastic video! Back in the beginning of 80s, we had twin brother of this model Yugoslavian yellow Zastava Mediteran, 3 doors hatchback model, inherited from Fiat 128. What a great memory, thank You.
Thanks for sharing! In 1982 I was totally enamored with the 1974 128 with the same 2 door and wonderful lime green. Though the engine had to be rebuilt, and due to living in the midwest of the US, front wheel drive was fantastic in the the winter; but the salted roads slowly devoured the best travel companion. Room for friends and equipment for camping. As well with good gas mileage and the most comfortable seats. I don't believe I have found seats that where as comfortable for long trips since. Thank you again for sharing.
Thank YOU for sharing. Nice to hear stories from all over the world….
I own a green 128 3p,which I use and race..and love..Nice car by the way..
Great video and presentation style 👍
What a nice video, Robin! Great cinematography, I hope you're going to continue treating us with little gems like this. I own a 128 myself (3rd series, from 1976) and the reason I've got it is quite similar to yours: I wanted a vintage car that could still be safely driven on today's roads in most conditions, without worrying to much about the everyday city-life small incidents (parking dents and so on). I fell in love with it from the first time I sat behind the wheel and it continued growing on me, it's such a different driving experience compared to modern cars. I wouldn't know how to effectively describe it to non-car people, it just has something special to it that puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. I hope I will be able to keep it forever, I'm sure my future kids will love it just like your little ones, and maybe one day they'll too fight for the keys :) A big hug from Italy!
Nice to meet you, Dario. I was a bit surprised to get a notification of your reaction. Since this is my first video and I have done nothing whatsoever to promote it. And what a heartwarming response it is. Seems our Fiats have treated us to similar life journeys. For me the undescribable quality is: total lack of refinement in driving experience (it’s so basic, no filter between steering wheel and bumps in the road), but with an engine that revs to infinity (I have a four speed). And it almost never fails. It’s always been a thrustworthy companion. Thanks for your compliments on the camera work! I’m less happy of the sound quality. Still working on trying to improve that. Maybe I have to upload the video again. If that’s the case, would you be willing tot respond to the new video. Because the reaction above is already priceless.
Hi@@meandmymachine3735, nice to meet you too! Since this is not a common car (even here in Italy, it has never become a collector's car like its "cousins" 126 and 127) i look for 128 videos every now and then here on TH-cam, and that's how I stumbled upon your channel, pure luck I guess!
And yes, I totally agree with you: in a car like this, the very basic driving experience becomes a plus rather than an annoyance, it makes the whole package more fun (and even adventurous, in some situations). Also it is not very fuel-hungry, it's small compared to modern cars which makes traffic and small spaces more bearable... I could be here all day praising the qualities of our little friend :)
Of course, in case you will have to re-upload the video I will be very happy to post my comment there too!
Compiling another 20 versions of this video have taught me to that the original upload is probably the best compromise between different gains and drawbacks. With the benefit that I can keep my first - very special - reaction to this video! Look me up on Facebook if you have an account there too. Curious about your 128.
Charming, absolutely charming
Das Auto meiner Kindheit
Nice video, the 128 deserves, I had a cl, another series, which reminds me moreover of my father, anyway congratulations 👍🎖️🎖️👋🏻🚙
Thanks and regards, 👋🏻😁👍
Take care and enjoy !
I really, really love that you’ve connected with your 128, Robin. I have a 128 3P that I’m restoring in Australia and I can understand the attraction.
Great video with a very clever car.
Your video was very well done ✅ 👏 👍
Great video congratulations
Fiat 128 1976 my firt car , in the same colour
Amazing.
Cool car!Cool wheels!
I love this video , well done. The sentiment of it all for one, but also because the 128 was really a great car.
I had a 74 128 back in the late 70's early 80"s but I sold it for a different car. I wish I still had that car.
Just wow! Thank you from Italy and my 128 3p
Prachtig verhaal! Ik ben fan!👍🏼
Excelente el Fiat!!restauré uno...lamentablemente lo tuve que vender..ahora comenzaré la restauracion de otro..abrazo grande desde Argentina 🇦🇷
Good car...
Beautyfull
Excuse me:
- BEAUTIFUL
I use the GOOGLE TRANSLATE.
Lovely video, baie dankie daarvoor!
Mooi man, met plezier en herkenning bekeken!
Mooie auto, goed verhaal, beste eigenaar
Bellissima
My first car was a green Fiat 128 71 it was a shitty car but i still think of it with love in my heart
Being shit on a regular basis means you have to care for it continually. Which is probably why it holds that special place today :-)
Zó mooi gemaakt!