MG METRO TURBO
Catch me if you can
FIAT RITMO ABARTH 130 TC
With a knife between the teeth
YEAR: 1983
From the two-box compact sports car segment, known today as hot hatches, here is the legendary Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130 TC. Demanding and fast, it has a great setup and a highly responsive engine. Give it a handful of hairpin turns and low profile tyres: you will see a real “Golf-eater” performance car.
Historical background
Evolution/Revolution
The sports version of the well-known Ritmo was born with the first series in 1981: the 105 TC (twin cam), then advanced in Abarth’s care to 125 TC.
In 1982, four years from its launch, Fiat decided to facelift the model. It was not just about a thorough restyling. Besides the new shape designed by Centro Stile, with Marco Maioli at its head, the car was reconsidered in terms of substance as well, starting with the re-engineering of the platform inherited from the 128 for the first series, and as a result dropped 70 kg. The sports version, that is the Ritmo 130 TC, gained not only 5 hp, but also two 2-barrel carburettors, a specific suspension, digital electronic ignition, and more torque compared to the previous model.
The result was a high-performance car capable of winning several championships on both road and track. It was aesthetically recognisable mostly for its sizeable spoiler at the base of the rear window, the plastic rocker panels, and the exclusive 14’’ alloy rims.
The price was around 15,500,000 liras—not the cheapest at the time, but absolutely justified by the technical features and the performance of one of the most appreciated cars of its kind.
The Ritmo 130 TC went out of production in 1987 with the arrival of the Tipo. What is really surprising is that, by the time it was retired, this race car in disguise was still one of the fastest in its category.
Technical specifications
- BODY STYLE: 3-door hatchback
- SEATS: 5
- LENGTH: 401 cm
- WIDTH: 166 cm
- HEIGHT: 137 cm
- WEIGHT: 1,070 kg
- ENGINE: Fiat/Abarth
- DISPLACEMENT: 1,995 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: 130 hp
- FUEL TYPE: Petrol
- DRIVETRAIN: FWD
- TRANSMISSION: Manual
- SPEED: Over 190 km/h
Driving experience – Clutching the wheel
In the ’80s understatement was not a thing: the attitude of a car was expressed by its performance, and even more with a number of aesthetic details—those frills sometimes having no other function than to guard against insecurity and to bolster its owner’s self-esteem.
The 130 TC is mean, and when you are sitting behind the wheel, you cannot relax—at least, that was my impression. Everything about this car is built for speed and keeps you always on edge. A couple of kilometres are enough to realise such an aggressive aesthetic is fully matched with an equally bold driving dynamic: 130 hp, 1,070 kg, and with such a balanced setup it is fully capable of making sharp turns in quick succession with zero effort. Its inherent tendency to understeer makes the Ritmo 130 easy to handle for sports car lovers without pilot skills. In this case, the only unknown would be the driver’s skill, whereas the car—despite its audacious nature—is always predictable. The steering is very forceful, so you would do well to keep a tight grip on the wheel and be prepared to put in some muscle, especially on uneven grounds. If you have a need for speed, this car goes from 0 to 100 in under 8 seconds (a reminder this was in 1983.) With this specific vehicle, it is even faster, thanks to a slightly shorter ratio that enhances the 2.0 L engine’s exuberance.
What can I say… Phenomenal!
Passione Classica’s Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130 TC
I got this Ritmo Abarth 130 TC from a Fiat mechanic with a love for historical cars. It was in excellent shape after countless interventions perfectly performed, as confirmed by my trusted workshop. We found that many components had been replaced, such as the brake callipers, the dampers, the tie rod joints, the clutch, and several tie-rods and cables. Pictures of the restored engine and transmission are also available.
As usual, I had the car brought in for a tune-up, which included replacing the belt (invoice available). I also had the bodywork restored, due to a few scratches suffered throughout the years. The Quartz Grey Metallic paint is now shiny and gives an unusual elegance to the car, creating a pleasant contrast between the chromatic choice and this model’s racing nature. The rims were also completely restored, and are now equipped with semi-slick Nankang tyres. Another stylistic quirk: the fantastic original mud flaps (Fiat Linea accessories). All this for over 17 million liras in 1983. The operation, maintenance and instruction manuals are stored in the dashboard, plus the rare technical support handbook for repair shops (in the picture).
A 130 TC so complete and “healthy” is hard to find in a market made of test mules, and badly repaired or rusty cars.
No surprises: from one fan to another.
Driving experience – Clutching the wheel
In the ’80s understatement was not a thing: the attitude of a car was expressed by its performance, and even more with a number of aesthetic details—those frills sometimes having no other function than to guard against insecurity and to bolster its owner’s self-esteem.
The 130 TC is mean, and when you are sitting behind the wheel, you cannot relax—at least, that was my impression. Everything about this car is built for speed and keeps you always on edge. A couple of kilometres are enough to realise such an aggressive aesthetic is fully matched with an equally bold driving dynamic: 130 hp, 1,070 kg, and with such a balanced setup it is fully capable of making sharp turns in quick succession with zero effort. Its inherent tendency to understeer makes the Ritmo 130 easy to handle for sports car lovers without pilot skills. In this case, the only unknown would be the driver’s skill, whereas the car—despite its audacious nature—is always predictable. The steering is very forceful, so you would do well to keep a tight grip on the wheel and be prepared to put in some muscle, especially on uneven grounds. If you have a need for speed, this car goes from 0 to 100 in under 8 seconds (a reminder this was in 1983.) With this specific vehicle, it is even faster, thanks to a slightly shorter ratio that enhances the 2.0 L engine’s exuberance.
What can I say… Phenomenal!
Passione Classica’s Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130 TC
I got this Ritmo Abarth 130 TC from a Fiat mechanic with a love for historical cars. It was in excellent shape after countless interventions perfectly performed, as confirmed by my trusted workshop. We found that many components had been replaced, such as the brake callipers, the dampers, the tie rod joints, the clutch, and several tie-rods and cables. Pictures of the restored engine and transmission are also available.
As usual, I had the car brought in for a tune-up, which included replacing the belt (invoice available). I also had the bodywork restored, due to a few scratches suffered throughout the years. The Quartz Grey Metallic paint is now shiny and gives an unusual elegance to the car, creating a pleasant contrast between the chromatic choice and this model’s racing nature. The rims were also completely restored, and are now equipped with semi-slick Nankang tyres. Another stylistic quirk: the fantastic original mud flaps (Fiat Linea accessories). All this for over 17 million liras in 1983. The operation, maintenance and instruction manuals are stored in the dashboard, plus the rare technical support handbook for repair shops (in the picture).
A 130 TC so complete and “healthy” is hard to find in a market made of test mules, and badly repaired or rusty cars.
No surprises: from one fan to another.
Price
€ 23,800.00
The cars in my garage
