FIAT 127 1971-1977 Photos, engines & full specs

By the end of the '60s, Fiat was selling well in Europe, and it tried to keep that momentum with new cars. While the 124 was more or less a reworked 1300, the 127 was a completely new vehicle.

The Italian carmaker already saw the customers' interest in hatchback vehicles, such as the Renault 16 or the BMW 1600. It also knew that it had to replace the aging 850 lineup, and for that, it prepared the 127. A front-engine, front-wheel drive small-segment hatchback that was a far better concept than its predecessor.

Customers didn't want the rounded shapes of the 850 or the 600 models. The increasing sales of the boxier 124 confirmed that. Thus, the Italian carmaker penned the 127 with flatter surfaces, more angles, and, moreover, squared headlights. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the carmakers were still forced to design cars with round headlights. But since that didn't apply to the 127, and the car was not shipped across the Atlantic, Fiat could do it as he liked it. Behind the short engine compartment, a raked, curved windshield paved the way for a small greenhouse that protected the cabin from elements. At the back, the sloped tailgate was the essence of the hatchback design, with a wide and tall opening that left the rear panel in place. True, the loading and unloading were difficult, but the customers liked it, especially since the rear seats could fold flat.

The interior could accommodate up to four passengers, with improved comfort than in the cramped 850 model. Obviously, since it was a mass-market car, it was available with a four-speed manual only. Thanks to its small, 0.9-liter engine, the car managed to achieve an outstanding fuel efficiency for those times.