African Muscle Cars - Forum

I knew of some Fiat 1100's racing way back, but don't know who drove them. Did anything from that company run later on?

I was just about to start a Fiat thread

Fiats have raced for years in this country from the couple of Fiat engined specials in the '50's thru to the popular 1100's , 500's and Abarths .Then John Conchie and Eric Adler started a performance shop in the late '60's specialising in turning out hot Fiat Scorpions. Fiat 124 and 125 were raced very succesfully by Conchie. A 128 was raced by Don Bruins I think it was. Then came the 132 that took the Group N apart for at least a year.

So there is quite a heritage, but it is maybe a bit forgotten in favour of other more popular makes. Even Owen Ashley raced a 125.

My favourite was the Ferrari Dino engined 131 (I think it was a 131) rally car. Completely mental.

Anyone remember the Dave Hawkins Fiat 125. Complete with rubber sideskirts like F1. Any pictures?

Yup I remember the Hawkins car - it always looked like a poor mans racer (whoops, sorry Dave)

Anyone remember Errol Shearsby who raced a Fiat 500 Abarth - I am not sure he stuck to the 500 engine though, it was probably a lot higher cc. He raced a couple of different Fiats in his time.

Is Dave Hawkins related to Chris Hawkins? Chris was navigator of aforementioned Fiat Dino rally car.

I met Chris once. He taught me a very important lesson - when you have rolled, and you are upside down, hold onto the roof before you unclip your belts, saves a getting very sore neck. Some years later when I parked my Hi-Lux 4x4 on its roof in the Transkei - I remembered jut in time.

It would be nice to find a 124/5 and put one of those on the track. The only thing is spares and parts. I guess they're not too available today.

There are still a fair number of Lada knocking about in the former east block coumtries - lots of parts compatability with 124.

mmm 124 Special-T - now that was a nice car.

I have somewhere here a genuine enamel Abarth badge....bought it for R10 from a guy that went around scrap yards.....

Anyone remember the 124 OTS.....