Fiat Ritmo

The 1978 Fiat Ritmo, styled by Italian Bertone, was the most distinctive looking small car in Europe on its launch. It was badged in Britain and the US as the Fiat Strada but failed to attract many Ford Escort/Austin Allegro buyers because of its unconventional appearance. Legend has it that the reason for the name change was that "Ritmo" was a make of ladies sanitary towel in the US.

Underneath its quirky looks the Ritmo used most of the front-wheel drive running gear which could be found in the more conventional looking 128, which continued until 1984. Ride and handling were just about adequate if bouncy, steering vague and imprecise, with a lousy 'stirabout' gearbox. Driving this beast around town was difficult to say the least and required strength of hurculean standards and preferably a four-acre field when performing a three point turn. A poor man's alternative to the far superior Ford and Renaults of the day, which meant that outside Italy and Spain the Ritmo struggled to attract buyers. The 1.1L (60 bhp), 1.3L (65 bhp) and 1.5L (75 bhp) petrol engines were reasonably refined and economical, but were underpowered for the size of the car, and hardly the last word in excitement. In 1980 the Ritmo diesel was introduced with the 1714cc engine (55bhp) from the 132.In the following year the 'Ritmo Super' was introduced with a variety of small changes and, most significantly, revised engines with 75bhp (1300) and 85bhp (1500). Also in 1981 was born the first sporting Ritmo, the 105TC. This used a 1585cc dohc engine derived from that in the 131 producing 105bhp. A few months later the Ritmo Abarth 125TC was introduced. This was a heavily modified 105TC with a 1995cc dohc with 125 bhp, ventilated front discs, a new ZF gearbox, revised suspension settings and strengthened components.