Latest news

As a child growing up in rural Hampshire in the early 1970s, there was a select group of cars that seemed to exemplify an impossibly remote world of glamour. Admittedly, I was raised in a village where Marty Wilde was still regarded as a young Teddy Boy and watching BBC2 a sign of dangerous radicalism. The fact that my family ran a succession of near wrecks also shaped my views concerning automotive excellence. At that time I classed any vehicle where the passenger door did not actually fall off  as a “luxury car”.

But a Fiat 130 Saloon seemed utterly distant from the everyday realm of the village post office, the visit from the mobile library every Thursday and "Houseparty" on Southern Television. Just gaze at HYY 334 K owned by Mark Clinton – it exudes the Dolce Vita in every detail.

Turin commenced their plans for a successor to the 2300 family as early as 1963 and the 130 saloon debuted six years later.  It also served as the eventual heir to the Lancia Flaminia Berlina and Turin’s rival to the Jaguar XJ6, the Mercedes-Benz W108 and the BMW E3. It was equally aimed at the sort of jet-setter who drove a Maserati Quattroporte, as illustrated by these quite splendid PR films - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqgVCDrV80o  - and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7XaCi-u52M.

The styling for the 130 was low-key, as befitting transport for the Italian Entablement, and power was from an Aurelio Lampredi-designed 2.8-litre V6. The transmission choices were either a ZF automatic or, for the enthusiast, a five-speed manual box. 1971 saw the debut of the Pininfarina styled Coupe and Series II Berlina with the 3.2-litre engine replacing the 2.8-litre unit. Mark’s car is ‘probably the oldest Series II right-hand drive car left as its date of registration is December 1971’

The Clinton 130 is a former Fiat GB press car, featuring in the 1972 British-market brochure and the September 1972 edition of Autosport; the great John Bolster thought its appearance ‘dignified rather than dashing’. HYY also starred in that year’s Earls Court Motor Show - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1gYgynA290 - just imagine encountering the 130 in all its silver magnificence on the Fiat display.

However, the 130 was inevitably a rare sight in the UK due to its price. When Car magazine evaluated the saloon in 1973, the price was £3,940.89, which was more than a Jaguar XJ12. Production ceased in 1976 – the Coupe remained available until 1977  - and the Berlina now is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished, yet underrated prestige cars of its generation.

HYY is said ‘to have been bought by an American doctor off the Fiat display’ but its post-Motor Show history is limited. At one point it was owned by a very well-known classic car journalist and today Mark is promising the Fiat ‘a tidy and a proper service before I commence work on its consecutive registered brother, HYY 335 K’. Incredibly, the Clinton collection includes a second well-known Fiat 130 that starred in the automotive press – ‘I’m trying to restore it when things will allow’. And both cars exemplify the boast in the English-language advertisements – ‘rare luxury’.

WITH THANKS TO – MARK CLINTON

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limit mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your Fiat today.