In 1971 FIAT launched the Sport Coupé SL variant of the FIAT 128 on a shortened chassis platform.

The Coupé was available with either a 1,116 cc / 68 cui or 1,290 cc / 78.7 cui four cylinder motor with iron block and aluminium head., the one seen in these photographs taken at Auto Italia Brooklands a couple of years ago.

When photo upload Mario Andretti tested one on the 13th of November 1972 at Pocono he was impressed with the under steering, tight, front wheel drive handling, braking, interior size and styling.

The only thing he thought was missing was a couple of hundred horsepower with which to scare the guy’s in Ferrari’s at Pocono.

Sport Coupé’s were popular cars for touring car racing with Hans Hettelder and Freek Plasmeijer recording over 50 race appearances between them in Europe, slightly better known Italian racer Lella Lombardi recording at least seven appearances in 128 Sport Coupés starting in 1977.

Today’s featured car, seen in these photographs taken at Auto Italia Brooklands a couple of years ago, is powered by the larger engine and was first registered in the UK on October 1st 1974.

Thanks for joining me on this “Short Chassis” edition “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow.