Classic cars with history: Seat 124

The 1970s. Spain was not exactly a car-making powerhouse (a little less so than today), but at least we still had companies of Spanish manufacture and were far removed from the era of the German occupation. And among the most remembered models of that time is the Seat 124.

The 124 played the most varied roles in Spain in those days. It went from a feared police car to being on the other side, in the hands of those who could afford to tune the engine with a double overhead camshaft and a twin-barrel carburettor. Not much was needed for a 124 to run quite decently.

This Seat was manufactured from 1968 until 1980, when it was replaced by the Seat Ritmo. Notable is the 124 Sport Coupé, one of the favourite weapons of every rally or circuit race held at the time and a serious toy for anyone with a heavy right foot.

The ease with which it revved was one of its characteristics, especially once you fitted the 1,608 engine. To prove it: a Fiat 124, more or less similar to the Seat 124 and with the same engine, being driven sportingly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wlJAB90vgA

8,300 rpm in third? It was perfectly possible and even more, with a slight tune-up.

Image | Flickr