My 131 abarth (never ending) story - 2017 season updates

Post pics of your car in here
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Guy Croft
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by Guy Croft »

they were red too

G
Guy Croft, owner
miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

G,

Though they say "better rad than dead " I will make my rainbow declaration and keep the bells black. I am still not sure if the disc should be red or black ?

M
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miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

Here are the promised pictures of the aluminum sheet covered , steel frame doors.
alu doors  1.jpg
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alu doors 6.jpg
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alu doors 7.jpg
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alu doors 8.jpg
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Most of this thread fans probably know already I am a safety and originality buff. All modifications I do are are subjected to three main goals:

1/ it must be work and be practical
2/ it must be safe ( meet current FIA safety requirement for historic cars)
3/ it musty be in line with FIA (ISC, appendix K, and as applicable with appendix J of the period )
3/ it should be either original or exact replica
4/ it should be as close to original homologation as possible
5/ it should look as much as original

Not everything in this car is and will be genuine or remanufactured in accordance with 1976 homologation. Some compromise is necessary. but when I change something in current car specs I try to do it either with genuine parts or genuine technology / specs. Example: I decided to go for Presplex ( lexan) side and rear windows. The Lexan windows were selected to be in line with original specs and homologation. In all honesty I have not done it to reduce weight. At the same time I decided to do the alu sheet doors and changing the handles to all black finish. Also to make as close to original as possible. This solution is fully in line with current appendix K rules.

However I have chosen door lexan windows with sliding WRC style sliding small vents. It is unlike in the original which had roll up Presplex windows. I have done it for practicality, always having a problem of reaching the roll-up handle when on a start to a stage or at a time control point. Depending how it looks and works in practice I may either keep this setup or it or go for an original. I am not entirely sure why I selected the WRC style sliding windows. FIA rules allow such modification, so the future depends on weather I am happy using it and looking at it.

I did it this way to be in line with the original specs and to be allowed to compete in this car.


There are other options like done by a friend in Germany . A lot lighter, but I think not half as safe
plactic doors 1 .jpg
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plactic doors 2 .jpg
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As another friend put it recently :

That's is car and he can do whatever he likes ... This is what I`m doing with my one -whatever I like...


Miro
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miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

Current training

For those wondering why I am not replying to emails on time and stopped the sale of spare 131 parts I have to inform you I was busy training for the 2013 rally season

As I am currently recuperating after an illness but my son decided that I should not stop training for the rally season and prepared a special rally training vehicle for me :

Vehicle model : Abarth WRC ( group NHS 60+)

- 1 old horsepower hybrid bionic engine
- 2 independent shoe brakes
- cage chassis construction
- 4 + 2 (wheel plus feet drive)
- active bionic differential with lSD ( or morphine whatever the hospital serves)
- light alloy roll cage
- soft handle bar lining
- tires : slick NHS type
- FIA helmet with intercom

( not suitable for gravel or uneven asphalt; shiny floor surface recommended)
NHS Rally Training vehicle.jpg
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Miro
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Simon
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by Simon »

I think you've dialled in a bit too much toe-out there Miro :-) Get well soon!
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miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

Simon

I suppose you are right : too much toe out ...

Thanks a lot , indeed !

Miro
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TomLouwrier
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by TomLouwrier »

Ah, that explains a lot.
Glad to hear you're recovering.

The term 'LSD' is somewhat dubious in this context... ;-)

regards
Tom
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miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

Thanks Tom,

Re: dubious LSD meaning . Try saying this over a phone in US - they will understand it only one way !

In Poland the German speakers use "szpera" ( Sperre) and the English speakers use LSD for a limited slip differential. However since the Beatles' tune : Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" every kid also know what lSD is. Thus, in Polish acronym "LSD" is used to as a name for both "types", so to speak.

When any one of my automotive friends says LSD the meaning is obvious (differential) but if a "civilian" hears this , he always thinks he should he run away now!

Thanks and thank you,

Miro
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miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

Update continues

"A picture is with a 1000 words"
rear 1.jpg
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rear 2.jpg
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rear 3.jpg
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rear 4.jpg
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rear 5.jpg
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More to come ...

Miro
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Guy Croft
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by Guy Croft »

GET WELL SOON MY BROTHER

GC
Guy Croft, owner
miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

Guy Croft wrote:
GET WELL SOON MY BROTHER

GC
GC , my brother

" ... I am getting better all the time ..." just thinking of running the first event of the season in my car .

Hopefully this will by June .

Miro
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miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

Laterst update ...

I gt sick of looking at my front indicators from 132 GLS ... and got mk1 set (with two sets of lenses - all clear and clear/amber )

I will feel much better yet once the ugly 132 GLS are replaced with a proper set.
I have .jpg
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new set.jpg
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PS : clear vs amber/clear. This is just to match my mood before the stage ....:)
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Kovacevic
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by Kovacevic »

miro-1980 wrote:Thanks,

This is exactly what I needed to understand (and was afraid of).

[Will put the Torsen in the shortest diff and try to see how it works , compared to LSD. ]

Once this is done I will post my experiences with the Torsen.

M
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.I compete in gravel and tarmac events in Australia with my 131 which has a Volvo 144 rear end with a torsen type centre and 4.6:1 gears, and I would never run anything else but a torsen. I know quite a few competitors who have changed to torsens and they all love them. I get unbelievable drive out of corners and off the line which is due to the diff coupled with a soft rear suspension set-up. I'm building a new car (131 Abarth replica) and although with an independent rear end, I've gone to a torsen again.

I can't wait to hear what you think.

Alex
miro-1980
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by miro-1980 »

Alex,

Thank you for sharing your experience.

There is nothing better than practical hands on experience . The fact that many competitor have changed to torsen and love it is music to my ears .

When we finally test ours I will post the results here.

Miro

PS I understand you guys have a few 131's competing in your neck of the woods
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Kovacevic
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Re: My 131 abarth (never ending) story 2013 season update

Post by Kovacevic »

Sadly Miro there are only two 131's competing in rallies here in Australia - Bill Dunn who runs a 131 Abarth replica and my 131 sedan. There is someone running a genuine 131 Abarth in some Targa events (bitumen road rallies), so hopefully the love of 131's may spread. Unfortunately 131 two doors and Abarths were never delivered to this country, but back in the early 80's a factory Gp4 was imported here by a rally team, driven by Greg Carr, and had some success - in the end there were funding issues- not sure but it was either an ex Munari or Alen car. You guys are spoilt by access to all these cars and parts!

Good luck with the on-going project, it's a credit to you.

Alex
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