1979 Fiat 131 Brava 2 door, Excellent condition, restored as a driver!

1979 FIAT 131 Brava. Please note that the car is titled in California as a 1978 because it's an early car, ut we know it's a 1979. Twin cam motor, speed transmission, door body. The speedometer shows 50,075 miles. As an introduction, he 131 series was sold in the North American market between 1975 and 1982. It replaced the 124 Sedan and Wagonseries. The 131 was the top of the line model until Fiat pulled out of North America in 1982. Cars sold were either 2 door Sedans, door Sedans, nd 5 door Wagons. The 1975 to 78 cars were named "Mirafiori" to honor the factory outside of Torino Italy, here they were built. There was an interm car built in 1978 1/2 named the Super Brava, hen in 1979 the car was again redesigned and named the Brava. The Brava names were used only in the North American market from 1979-82.All of our North American cars came with a very reliable DOHC engine, nd either an outstanding Fiat 5 speed or a GM 3 speed transmission.Air conditioning was an option, nd in the last two years leather interiors became an option. In the rest of the world, he 131 series had a pushrod gasoline or diesel engine until 1979, hen the twin cam engine became available. Italian production ceased in 1984 when front engined rear wheel drive cars fell out of Fiats sales brochures. A total of 1,513,800 cars were built in Italy. The car was also built under license in Spain, rgentina, olumbia, enezuela, ndonesia,Morocco, oland, gypt, thiopia, osta Rica, alaysia, ingapore, hailand, ambia, nd Turkey. The 131 was a very successful rally car winning 20 WRC events between 1976 and 81. It won the group 4 world rally championship outrightin 1977, 978, nd 1980. ABARTH modified the car to have a 16 valve twin cam motor, ully independent rear suspension, nd Bertone did the body modifications on the 2 door factory racers. This car just had an over $22,000.00 restoration invoice done by one of North America's leading Fiat restoration and service experts, .Obert & Co in Santa Cruz California. The car is an original San Francisco California Bay Area car that has been owned by Fiat America club members since the mid 1980s. It wasparked in 1992 in the back yard of a club member with a blown differential, nd when the member had to get rid of his cars, bought it. I am technically the third owner of record.A used differential was installed in February of 2011 and the car ran great, o everything the car needed mechanically was done:The cooling system was fully serviced, he radiator and heater core was flushed. New hoses and seals as needed, new thermostat, orrect radiator cap, nd new coolant were installed. The cooling fan works as it's designed, nd the car does not overheat. Even the coolant recovery tank was cleaned. The fuel system was completely cleaned, ncluding the fuel tank and all hard lines. The rubber fuel lines were upgraded to be compatible with current fuels, nd a new filter was fitted. A new fuel tank sending unit was fitted. The carburetor was rebuilt with diaphragms compatible with today's fuels. A new air filter element was fitted. All vacuum hoses were checked andreplaced as needed. All fluids were changed. Coolant, rake fluid, ngine oil, ransmission fluid, ifferential fluid, asoline... A major service was done to the engine. The timing belt and tensioner were replaced, ll of the seals on the front of the engine were replaced, he valves were adjusted, he head bolts serviced. Engine oil and filter was changed, new spark plugs fitted, istributor serviced with a new pick up, nd a new vacuum advance fitted. New spark plug wires were fitted. The alternator and water pump belt changed.Every specification was set so the car runs excellent and will pass California emissions testing without issues. Everything the brakes needed was done. The front calipers were rebuilt, he rear wheel cylinders replaced. All friction material was checked to make sure at least 50% or more was remaining. New flexible hoses were fitted after all of the hard lines were flushed. A new brake master cylinder was fitted, hen the entire system was bled with new DOT 4 brake fluid, nd the parking brake was adjusted. The 5 speed transmission was serviced with a fluid change, new output seal, nd new mount. The driveshaft was rebuilt with new universal joints, lexible coupling, nd center support. In the suspension, new front struts and upper mounts were fitted, nd the rear shocks were changed. The steering rack was serviced with new grease and a right side internal bushing, nd the tie rod ends were changed. A 4 wheel alignment was done. Even 4 new tires were fitted and balanced on restored original rims! The spare holds air. There is even a jack. The rust free body was sanded to bare metal, nd minor dings were removed. The car was then primered, ealed, nd painted with top of the line DuPont Chromaone products in the original champagne color. A new headliner and door panels were installed. Used good seats installed, actory new original upholstery was fitted to the left front lower seat cushion. Even a new windscreen was installed. The entire lighting system was checked. Every light, auge, nd control functions. Everything the car needed to be my own reliable driver has been done. And I have driven the car long enough to feel good about it! This car's "goal" was done to be driven. I require my cars to be able to be driven as cars at any time. It doesn't matter if it's to thelocal grocery store, n a club tour, r to a show. I expect to be able to get in it and drive. Reliably. And I want a car to look great so I can take it to car shows. This car has been to several. The 131 runs great, erforms great, nd looks great so you can take it to car shows. I even regularly get asked about it while sitting in traffic. It's such a nice car that driving it home, herever that may be, houldn't be a problem. Ok, very car has it's bad points. This one's is that an air conditioned heater box is installed, ut there is not air conditioning in the car. So if you try to turn on the air conditioning, o cold air is going to come out.The original dealer installed Sonata radio is funky. Sometimes it works, ometimes it doesn't. If you want a great stereo in your car, ou will get to install it! If the buyer is in California, his car passes California emissions testing with ease. So a smog certificate will be included. What will I sell it for? My house needs a roof, nd the estimate is for 50% of what I have in the car. So entertain me with a serious bid so I can fix my roof, nd you can get one of the best 131s there are. Lots of pictures of anything you want to see can be provided. I invite you to come and drive the car. Our closest airport is San Jose, ut San Francisco and Monterey are also close by. Please excuse some of the dust in the pictures. We live in a part of California that has not had rain for a long time, o air borne dust is standard! A better condition 131 would be very hard to find.