So here is what we are staring with :
A November 1979 build CS0 model 1980, with 2.0 fuel injected engine. No need to add this is a US version as this year there were no others.
- 124 production data by model.JPG (91.73 KiB) Viewed 61909 times
Why this base was selected : because this is what I have.
As I am very much against building a replica of a car that never was , I have decided to build a replica of a specific car : 124 Abarth gr 4 winner of the 1973 Polish Rally driven by Achim Wambold ad co-piloted by Jean Todt is a target
Why this one ? Several reasons :
1/ 1973 was the first season of WRC and this is HISTORY !
2/ the Polish Rally is second oldest rally in the world (second only to Rally Monte Carlo) where many world champions started their rally careers ( including Walther Rohrl in 1972 Rally Poland)
3/ the 1973 Poland Rally is recognized as the toughest in all WRC history. Out of 62 teams on the start only 6 finished and only three were classified. The other three were over the allowed time limit.
4/ the 1973 rally Poland 124 Abarths' body is relatively close to a standard 124 spider look and requires little mechanical interventions while building a replica.
5/ the 1800cc 8 valve engine will be easier and cheaper to build than any 16 valve engine
6/ because its replicas are pretty rare and
7/ I like the looks of this car better than later versions.
There will be several key aspects that need investigation:
1 /body
2/ interior
3/ engine (power train)
4/ suspension
6/ brakes
7/ miscellaneous
It makes sense to start with the
body to know how the car should look like.
Some elements are clear and others are not so obvious.
Lights:
- front headlights: appear to be the same
- front position/turn signal lights ( as in all pre-1979 models with white lenses)
- additional driving lights : Carello Megalux mounted high and large Carello fog lights mounted below somewhat to the center.
- 1973 RMC front lights .jpg (37.76 KiB) Viewed 61889 times
( NOTE: Two variations: the Megalux adjustable support rods were mounted to the car either "on top" -onto the non hood black area ; or onto the side closer to headlights on the red area.) The target car had it mounted "on top"
- tail lights as in all pre-1979 models
- 1973 Sanremo rear .jpg (30.44 KiB) Viewed 61889 times
- no rear side markers
- no front side markers ( round blinkers instead)
- 1973 Sanremo side .jpg (35.4 KiB) Viewed 61889 times
- auxiliary back up light ( small anti-fog Carello)
- 1973 rally poland car nr 3 .jpg (43.11 KiB) Viewed 61887 times
(In '73 Polish Rally this car ( #3) was driven by Alcide Paganelli/ Ninni Russo who retired due to loss of oil pressure.
Note the fog light on the rear panel. )
Body panels:
- front fenders : made from steel - appear to be almost the same (except for openings for the turn signals and vents)
- front wall ( made from steel) but a different : with smaller and "slimmer" air opening
- front bonnet looks similar but as Tom has pointed out the CSA bonnet had smaller bulges than the later US version.in CSA it was made from fiberglass)
- grill different with a large Fiat wreath badge
- doors -different pre 1979 handles and covered with sheet aluminum
- rear bonnet : appear to be the same but made from fiberglass
- rear fenders: (made from steel) appear to be the same ( except for presence of tank "flap" cover in CS0 in the left rear fender)
- rear wall : appear to be very similar , but with different openings for smaller rectangular tail lights.
- Abarth hard top
- wide wing exertions ( fiberglass )
- rear scattle
* had a chrome fuel cap to the left of the center of the scattle
* chrome hood hooks for soft top cover were replaced with thick aluminum hard top holders
* there were two 48 mm dia capped openings s to allow quick removal of shocks.
- shock removal openings .jpg (41.81 KiB) Viewed 61886 times
(Picture above is from 635 FIA homologation.)
- 124 abarth assembly .jpg (39.47 KiB) Viewed 61886 times
Abarth assembly picture looks like the latest version of the car, but i used this picture because it leaves no doubt this was installed at the Fiat Abarth works on all cars. Other pictures I have ( of poor quality and resolution confirm this is the way it was done)
- AJaroszewicz original marked .jpg (49.63 KiB) Viewed 61886 times
The is a car in the latest and most advanced gr 4 body configuration which started with 9ยบ Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto in July 1975. However, this is the best picture I have with these details , and it appears that all gr 4 cars had these elements from the beginning until the end.
Windows :
- front windshield - the same
- door windows including the quarters : light made from prosplex
- rear window light made from prosplex
Miscellaneous :
- front and rear mud flaps
- only left side VItalloni Sebring mirror
- tank cap mounted between the rear window and the rear bonnet
- chrome wipers and arms
- wheels : Cromodora 66 magnesium 7J x13
I will try to document all these elements with pictures but hope other members will also contribute as well as comment and verify the above lists.
Let's get to it !
Miro