Fiat

The Fiat 128 was introduced in 1969. With engineering by Dante Giacosa and engine design by Aurelio Lampredi, the 128 was noted for its relatively roomy passenger and cargo volume, enabled by a breakthrough innovation to the front-engine, front-drive layout which became the layout adopted by virtually every other manufacturer in the world for front-wheel drive. Giorgetto Giugiaro noted that in 1970, Volkswagen completely dismantled a Fiat 128, recognizing it as the reference for their forthcoming Golf. Initially, the 128 was available as a two-door or four-door sedan. At the 1970 Turin Motor Show, a three-door station wagon model called Familiare was added to the line-up. The car was only available with a 1,116 cc engine on launch, though the two-door-only 128 Rally edition launched in 1971 used a 1,290 cc unit. Also in 1971, the Sport Coupé, an all-new coupé body on a shortened 128 platform, was unveiled at the Turin Show. On launch it was available with both existing 128 engines.

The 128 range underwent a facelift in October 1972, featuring a revised grille. 1974 saw the launch of the 128 Special, which used the Rally engine in a four-door sedan body. In 1975, production of the 128 sport coupé came to an end as sales were dropping considerably in favor of the mid-engined X1/9. It was replaced by the hatchback coupé 128 3P; since Fiat had to pay a commission to Bertone for every X1/9 sold, it was decided to provide some internal competition.

1973

1974

1975

In 1976, the range received new bumpers, rectangular head- and tail lights and a new dashboard as well as modifications to the engines. At this time, the wagon was renamed Panorama. Production of all 128s except that of the base 1,100 cc powered model ended in 1979 after the introduction of the Fiat Ritmo in 1978. In 1980, the Panorama was dropped from the range and 128 production finally ended in 1985.