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There are some vehicles that many classic enthusiasts regard as almost mythological.

Sometimes, you might catch a glimpse of a three-door Ford Sierra L Mk. I parked outside of the Park Gate branch of Sperrings, or a Morris-badged Metro Van in a Southampton builder’s yard.

You might also read of a Mercedes-Benz W124 with a four-speed manual  steering column gearchange aimed at  the Finnish taxi market or of the export-only Cortina Mk. II 1100.  

Meanwhile, a handful of cars are almost on a par with sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, from the Jaguar 2.4 Mk. 1 “Standard” to the two-door Austin A40 Cambridge.

A manufacturers’ price list would give details of such models, but they were apparently never to be seen on British roads.

And for many years, I put the  RHD two-door 127 in the category of ‘surely must be extinct by now’. As is well-known, the hatchback version did not make its bow until 1972, a year after the debut of this truly ground-breaking Fiat.

To state that the three-door format proved a success is a mild understatement, but Fiat continued to offer an entry-level two-door.

By the time of the Mk. III facelift in January 1982, their marketing emphasis was almost inevitably on the three-door versions, especially the Sport, with the 900L aimed at customers who might otherwise have considered the Metro City or the Fiesta Popular.

As I spent some of my childhood in southern Europe, it is entirely probable that I encountered a two-door 127 Mk.1  darting through Cagliari or Alghero.

Such Fiats were also evaluated by the British motoring press - in 1972 the scribe from Country Life bemoaned the lack of a tailgate. However, I had assumed that all examples of the later examples were now missing, believed scrapped - until now, that is.

Terry Cooper’s 1978-model  900L is not just one of the best-looking Mk. II’s that you are likely to see, but one of the most exclusive cars on the road.

Terry acquired VUR 404 S some four years ago, and he restored it in honour of his late mother.One of the most challenging aspects of the process was acquiring the parts.

He had not yet driven his immaculate Fiat but has ‘always loved their handling and cheeky ways’.

Every detail of the 900L fascinates, from the ultra-stylish instruments to the very 1970s upholstery and the lack of reversing lamps, a cigarette lighter and other such frivolities associated with more upmarket 127C.

And for a mere £2,137.59 back in 1978, you could have the pleasure of owning a car with a million pounds worth of charm.

With Thanks To:

Terry Cooper

The Fiat Motor Club GB - http://www.fiatmotorclubgb.co.uk/

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