Fiat 125

The Fiat 125 was a large family car introduced by Fiat in 1967. The chassis was based on that of the outgoing model, the Fiat 1300/1500 (the longer variant), the body was a further (lengthened) development of the Fiat 124 – both had the same passenger compartment and doors, whilst the engine was derived from that in the 124: a 1608 cc dohc with 90 bhp.

In 1968 the 125S ("Special") was added to the range, with 100 bhp (from a modified cylinder head, camshaft and inlet manifold) and a five speed gearbox. A variety of other improvements were made including improved trim and styling. The 125 was praised when new for its handling and dynamics.

The Special was facelifted in 1970 with improved trim and some styling details. A three-speed automatic transmission also became available as an option.

Variations

A variant was made by dealers in New Zealand for motorsport which had larger valves, two twin 40DHLA carburettors, modified camshafts and a higher compression ratio to produce around 125 bhp. Only 84 were modified before Fiat headquarters found out and stopped this venture.

Other versions were built by Moretti, who made the 125GS 1.6 with styling similar to the Fiat Dino Spider. Zagato made the 125Z; Savio, a 125 Coupé and 125 Station Wagon; Pininfarina, a 125 Executive; and Vignale produced the Samantha, a two door coupé with pop-up headlights.

Foreign production

Production by Fiat in Italy ceased in 1973 when the Fiat 132 was introduced, a total of 603,877 cars having been built. The 125 remained in production in other countries, including Argentina, where production continued until 1982 and included estate and coupé versions. In Poland, a derivative of the model was produced from 1967 to 1991 (see below). In Egypt production went on until 1983, with the Fiat 125 remaining one of the most sought-after cars due to its strength and reliability.

Polski Fiat 125p / FSO 1300 & 1500

A licence copy was also produced in Poland by the FSO car factory from 1967 until 1991, under the brand Polski Fiat as the Polski Fiat 125p, and later as the FSO 1500, FSO 1300, or FSO 125p.

It was a somewhat simplified variation of the Fiat car, with outdated 1300 ccm or 1500 ccm engines and mechanicals from the Fiat 1300/1500. Polish cars differed in details from Italian ones, most visible were four round headlights instead of square ones. This model was also available as an estate (the Polski Fiat 125p Kombi) and a pickup, and later spawned a 5-door hatchback model, the FSO Polonez.

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