MEET THE OWNER – BRIAN HALL AND HIS FIAT 132

You are very unlikely to see another Fiat 132 and Brian Hall’s 1976 1600GLS is believed to be the sole 1.6-litre version on the road in this country. Yet, in its heyday, the 132 was a rather stylish machine, the sort of car for the driver with aspirations of the Italian jet set and the income of an insurance broker somewhere near Gosport.

Fiat introduced the 132 in May 1972 as the replacement for the 125. The original engine choices were 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre DOHC power plants. UK sales began in 1973, with the concessionaire aiming the 132 at BMW 2002 and Triumph 2.5 PI Mk.2 drivers. Some motorists complained of the Fiat’s over-assisted brakes; this was said to be due to the conversion to right-hand drive. 

In 1974, Fiat upgraded the 132 with a pleasing new grille, larger windows and revised suspension geometry. Drivers were urged by the importer to “Experience the ease with which the new Fiat 132 takes to the road.” As for the GLS, it was “designed to combine the need for comfort, performance, reliability and economy in modern motoring conditions”. 

When Car tested the 1.8-litre version form, they moaned about the handling but praised its ride, engine and comfort. Motor Sport rather liked the Fiat, describing it as a “sporting saloon and well contrived family coach combined, it merits attention”. Autocar thought it “a pleasure to drive” as well as “capacious, well-equipped and good value”.

In late 1975, a 1600GLS cost £2,399, while a Ford Cortina 1600XL Mk. III four-door was £2,084 and a Granada 2000L £2,474. British Leyland offered the Princess 1800HL at £2,399 and Vauxhall the Victor 1800 FE at £2,205. Your friendly local Fiat dealer would probably tell you that none of these British alternatives offered the 132’s brio – or its adjustable steering column, all-disc brakes and five-speed gearbox. The sales copy claimed the Fiat offered “higher standards of comfort than any other car in the 1,500cc to 3,000cc class”. Besides, who could resist that mock-wood fascia with its Veglia Borletti speedometer?

132 production ended in May 1981 when the upgraded Argenta replaced it. Brian became the second owner of his GLS in 2004; fortunately, its original driver had the Fiat painstakingly Waxoyled. Brian says:

“It is a great car to drive comfortable and very good all-round vision, still a very usable and practical car. I have enjoyed a few holidays in Scotland and Northumberland when my three children were younger with the large boot crammed to capacity. Difficult to choose my favourite aspect - technically it would be the twin cam engine, personally it is the fact it is so rare and being original and unrestored with only two owners since new.”

Naturally, the 132 causes a minor sensation at car shows, for yesterday’s executive transport is now one of the rarest cars in the UK. Not to mention that the 132 has some of the most stylish door handles of any car. It is such small details that linger in the mind – and this is probably why I still crave a Fiat as handsome as Brian’s after 50 years!

With thanks to Brian Hall for his time and for the permission to use the images in this blog.