In 1966 FIAT replaced it’s 1300/1500 range with the FIAT 124, a fresh design led by Chief Engineer Oscar Montabone which was awarded the 1967 European Car Of he Year accolade by a collective of European journalists.

The 124 range, which included 4 door saloon/sedan, 5 door estate / station wagon, Coupé and Spider models, was powered by a variety of motors producing from 60hp to 115 hp for the 2 litre / 122 cui overhead cam motor that was used in the Spider.

Today’s featured 1969 FIAT 124 S is powered by a 1,438 cc Over Head Valve 4 cylinder engine that produces 74 horsepower transmitted to the rear wheels through a 4 speed fully synchromeshed manual transmission.

FIAT 124 trivia includes a one off 124 2 door convertible that turned out to be the last car built by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan.

The FIAT 124 went on to become an early global car as production expanded to the Soviet Union with the Lada brand, India, Spain with the SEAT brand, Bulgaria, Turkey, Korea, Egypt, Morocco and land locked Zambia in southern Africa.

It was in Zambia that this correspondent took his first driving lessons on the open road at the wheel of a Zambian built ’74 FIAT 124 S.

Thanks for joining me on this “’67 ECOTY” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another 500 Formula 3 car built just down the road from me in Clifton, Bristol. Don’t forget to come back now !