After launching it’s first front wheel drive model the FIAT 128 in 1969 FIAT extended the range with a sporty saloon in 1971 with the introduction of the 128 Rally.

The 2 door only saloon / sedan came with the larger 1290 cc / 78.7 cui version of the Lampredi designed 128 engine tuned to give 67hp.

The front of the sporty runabout featured a pair of modest Rally lights and unique to this edition split front bumpers joined by a thin chrome bar, for any additional ancillary lights that might be required for competition.

Also fitted to the Rally were a set of attractive and purposeful alloy wheels.

The rear bumper curiously remained as per the rest of the 128 range but the Rally did feature a set of recessed rear lights which replaced the standard all in one oblong units.

I suspect much of the FIAT 128 Rally’s circuit competition history has been lost in the midst of time because the model was not differentiated from the regular 128’s in contemporary entry lists.

From the little recorded in the substantial RacingSportsCars.com archive linked here it appeared that the model regularly suffered from gearbox issues.

The example seen in these photo’s at Auto Italia, Brooklands features non standard large rally lights and non standard competition flared wheel arches, it was first registered in the UK on 18th September 1976.

Thanks for joining me on this “Sporty Runabout” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking a GN special called Spider. Don’t forget to come back now !