Talk:Fiat 128

Early in the page it discussed the use of unequal length driveshafts - in a sentence comparing/contrasting it with the original bmc mini. The mini in fact had unequal length driveshafts, the location of the gearbox influenced by the driveshaft logistics, but rather the overall width/space limitations in the engine bay. Not sure if this is significant enough to bother about. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.188.49.92 (talk) 12:04, 3 June 2009 (UTC)

Simca 1100
Both this page & the one on 128 SOHC engine refer to its innovative introduction of transverse engine with gearbox on end, yet the Simca 1100 which had the same arrangement beat the 128 to the market by 2 years and its design was laid down by 1963, before the 1964 launch of the Autobianchi Primula, which all agree was the first to use now ubiquitous transverse arrangement.

The 1100 page suggests that there may have been some Fiat influence over the design, as major shareholder, but by the early 60s, they did not seem to to have had much input to Simca & sold a controlling interest to Chrysler in 1963.

I think these facts deserve a mention in this page in order to maintain its accuracy.

78.32.118.192 (talk) 12:13, 3 September 2016 (UTC)


 * There's no reason why you shouldn't add a line to that effect.  Though since the pre-launch timetables of the fwd Autobianchi and Simca designs were (presumably) subject to considerable secrecy at the time and subsequently, it's not clear - at least not clear to me - who had laid down what (and in how much irrevocable detail) by 1963.   Rather leisurely new model lead times were not unknown when Dante Giacosa was in charge of new model development, I think, at least if the earlier Fiat 850 is anything to go by.
 * As ever, (1) these things are more persuasive and less likely to be contested if they come with a reliable source - not always so easy to find, it is true, but helpful nevertheless - and (2) if you end up adding more than one (maybe two) line(s), maybe the place to place the longer edit it is the Simca entry, with just a line or two here.  ?.   Success Charles01 (talk) 12:58, 3 September 2016 (UTC)


 * At least up to 1962 the technical director at Simca was a long-time Fiat engineer (first Montabone then Montanari, per Giacosa's book). That's how little input Fiat had in it. It can hardly be a coincidence that, alone in the entire industry, both manufacturers moved from rear-engine to transverse front-engine layouts within a couple years... —Cloverleaf II (talk) 16:41, 3 September 2016 (UTC)
 * "... the Autobianchi Primula, which all agree was the first to use now ubiquitous transverse arrangement"
 * Since this page actually refers to "a breakthrough innovation to the front-engine, front-drive layout" without mentioning what the innovation was, it ends up a bit confusing -  most people would regard the innovation as being the transverse front engine, front-wheel drive setup, as used by the Mini for some years before any of the above mentioned cars.
 * If the Primula is to be anointed as as the first with the mysterious "innovation", we should specify what it actually was. Thosdot (talk) 10:09, 16 April 2024 (UTC)
 * If the Primula is to be anointed as as the first with the mysterious "innovation", we should specify what it actually was. Thosdot (talk) 10:09, 16 April 2024 (UTC)
 * If the Primula is to be anointed as as the first with the mysterious "innovation", we should specify what it actually was. Thosdot (talk) 10:09, 16 April 2024 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just modified one external link on Fiat 128. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20140408211929/http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=3994 to http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=3994

When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.

Cheers.— InternetArchiveBot  (Report bug) 08:07, 30 September 2017 (UTC)

Commons files used on this page or its Wikidata item have been nominated for speedy deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons files used on this page or its Wikidata item have been nominated for speedy deletion: You can see the reasons for deletion at the file description pages linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 08:39, 4 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Upali Fiat in newspaper.jpg
 * Upali Fiat.jpg