Fiat Strada 130TC Abarth (1984 – 1987) Review

The Fiat Strada 130TC Abarth was a fascinating left-field entry in the hot hatch wars of the 1980s. The 2.0-litre Strada had been around in Europe - in the form of the 125TC - since 1981, but it wasn't until the 1983 facelift that we saw the Strada Abarth in the UK.

The Abarth 130TC was a real drivers’ car that posted better performance figures than even the omnipresent Golf GTI for a year or so. Surprisingly, in a world where fuel injection was by then king, Fiat did it the old-fashioned way with a pair of Weber carburettors and a large displacement 2.0-litre engine. Unfortunately the car found more friends among the motoring press than it did in showrooms, so they have always been quite exclusive. Also, many found their way onto race tracks, and today the Abarth has a strong but loyal following.