Saleofcar.com :Fiat

Fiat 131 Brava (1979)
for sale

Price: US $7,500.00

Description:

1979 FIAT 131 Brava. Please note that the car is titled in California as a 1978 because it's an early car, but we know it's a 1979. Twin cam motor, 5 speed transmission, 2 door body. The speedometer shows 50, 075 miles. As an introduction, the 131 series was sold in the North American market between 1975 and 1982. It replaced the 124 Sedan and Wagonseries. The 131 was the top of the line model until Fiat pulled out of North America in 1982. Cars sold were either 2 door Sedans, 4 door Sedans, and 5 door Wagons. The 1975 to 78 cars were named Mirafiori to honor the factory outside of Torino Italy, where they were built. There was an interm car built in 1978 1/2 named the Super Brava, then in 1979 the car was again redesigned and named the Brava. The Brava names were used only in the North American market from 1979-82.All of our North American cars came with a very reliable DOHC engine, and either an outstanding Fiat 5 speed or a GM 3 speed transmission.Air conditioning was an option, and in the last two years leather interiors became an option. In the rest of the world, the 131 series had a pushrod gasoline or diesel engine until 1979, when the twin cam engine became available. Italian production ceased in 1984 when front engined rear wheel drive cars fell out of Fiats sales brochures. A total of 1, 513, 800 cars were built in Italy. The car was also built under license in Spain, Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela, Indonesia, Morocco, Poland, Egypt, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Zambia, and Turkey. The 131 was a very successful rally car winning 20 WRC events between 1976 and 81. It won the group 4 world rally championship outrightin 1977, 1978, and 1980. ABARTH modified the car to have a 16 valve twin cam motor, fully independent rear suspension, and Bertone did the body modifications on the 2 door factory racers. This car just had an over $22, 000.00 restoration invoice done by one of North America's leading Fiat restoration and service experts, C.Obert & Co in Santa Cruz California. The car is an original San Francisco California Bay Area car that has been owned by Fiat America club members since the mid 1980s. It wasparked in 1992 in the back yard of a club member with a blown differential, and when the member had to get rid of his cars, I bought it. I am technically the third owner of record.A used differential was installed in February of 2011 and the car ran great, so everything the car needed mechanically was done:
The cooling system was fully serviced, the radiator and heater core was flushed. New hoses and seals as needed, a new thermostat, correct radiator cap, and new coolant were installed. The cooling fan works as it's designed, and the car does not overheat. Even the coolant recovery tank was cleaned. The fuel system was completely cleaned, including the fuel tank and all hard lines. The rubber fuel lines were upgraded to be compatible with current fuels, and a new filter was fitted. A new fuel tank sending unit was fitted. The carburetor was rebuilt with diaphragms compatible with today's fuels. A new air filter element was fitted. All vacuum hoses were checked andreplaced as needed. All fluids were changed. Coolant, brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid, gasoline... A major service was done to the engine. The timing belt and tensioner were replaced, all of the seals on the front of the engine were replaced, the valves were adjusted, the head bolts serviced. Engine oil and filter was changed, new spark plugs fitted, distributor serviced with a new pick up, and a new vacuum advance fitted. New spark plug wires were fitted. The alternator and water pump belt changed.Every specification was set so the car runs excellent and will pass California emissions testing without issues. Everything the brakes needed was done. The front calipers were rebuilt, the rear wheel cylinders replaced. All friction material was checked to make sure at least 50% or more was remaining. New flexible hoses were fitted after all of the hard lines were flushed. A new brake master cylinder was fitted, then the entire system was bled with new DOT 4 brake fluid, and the parking brake was adjusted. The 5 speed transmission was serviced with a fluid change, a new output seal, and new mount. The driveshaft was rebuilt with new universal joints, flexible coupling, and center support. In the suspension, new front struts and upper mounts were fitted, and the rear shocks were changed. The steering rack was serviced with new grease and a right side internal bushing, and the tie rod ends were changed. A 4 wheel alignment was done. Even 4 new tires were fitted and balanced on restored original rims! The spare holds air. There is even a jack. The rust free body was sanded to bare metal, and minor dings were removed. The car was then primered, sealed, and painted with top of the line DuPont Chromaone products in the original champagne color. A new headliner and door panels were installed. Used good seats installed, factory new original upholstery was fitted to the left front lower seat cushion. Even a new windscreen was installed. The entire lighting system was checked. Every light, gauge, and control functions. Everything the car needed to be my own reliable driver has been done. And I have driven the car long enough to feel good about it! This car's goal was done to be driven. I require my cars to be able to be driven as cars at any time. It doesn't matter if it's to thelocal grocery store, on a club tour, or to a show. I expect to be able to get in it and drive. Reliably. And I want a car to look great so I can take it to car shows. This car has been to several. The 131 runs great, performs great, and looks great so you can take it to car shows. I even regularly get asked about it while sitting in traffic. It's such a nice car that driving it home, wherever that may be, shouldn't be a problem. Ok, every car has it's bad points. This one's is that an air conditioned heater box is installed, but there is not air conditioning in the car. So if you try to turn on the air conditioning, no cold air is going to come out.The original dealer installed Sonata radio is funky. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. If you want a great stereo in your car, you will get to install it! If the buyer is in California, this car passes California emissions testing with ease. So a smog certificate will be included. What will I sell it for? My house needs a roof, and the estimate is for 50% of what I have in the car. So entertain me with a serious bid so I can fix my roof, and you can get one of the best 131s there are. Lots of pictures of anything you want to see can be provided. I invite you to come and drive the car. Our closest airport is San Jose, but San Francisco and Monterey are also close by. Please excuse some of the dust in the pictures. We live in a part of California that has not had rain for a long time, so air borne dust is standard! A better condition 131 would be very hard to find.
_{update: 2015-10-16}