Fiat 127
The Fiat 127 is a supermini car made by the Italian manufacturer Fiat.
The 127 was introduced in 1971 as Fiat's first supermini-sized hatchback, and was the logical replacement to the Fiat 850. The 127 used the tried and trusted 903cc overhead valve engine that had powered many earlier generations of Fiat cars. The state-of-the-art transverse engine and front wheel drive layout which had been pioneered in the Fiat 128 was carried over. The 127 also featured a unique transverse leaf spring suspension at the rear. The 127 was an instant success, being voted European Car of the Year in 1972.
The Mark 2 version of the 127 debuted in 1977. It featured a restyled front and rear, a revised dashboard, larger rear glass area and a new 1049cc engine option. This aluminium headed, overhead cam engine was unique to the 127 range. At the same time a 5-door derivative became available in certain countries.
The final revision of the 127 came in 1982 with the Mark 3. Once again the front and end styling was freshened up, and a new 1301cc engine option was introduced. The interior was redesigned and made more modern looking.
However, like all 1970s-vintage Italian cars, the 127 was prone to severe body corrosion, something which was excacerbated by Fiat's use of recycled steel and inadequate undersealing. In warm, dry Mediterranean countries, a surprising number of 127s have survived, but in Northern Europe the combination of damp weather and salty roads had the obvious effects on the 127s fragile bodywork, most ending up in the crusher before their eighth birthday.
Production ended in 1983 following the introduction of its replacement, the Fiat Uno.
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The Spanish twin
As it happened with other Fiat models of that era, SEAT made a Spanish version of this car called the SEAT 127. When the agreement expired, SEAT redesigned some parts of the car and created the SEAT Fura. Some design parts of this model were also used in the Ibiza Mk. 1.
Other international variants
The 127's underpinnings were also used in certain Fiat-sponsored products such as the Yugo and Yugo Florida from Yugoslavian Zastava company and the Fiat 147 of Brazil.