FIAT 127 Panorama 1980-1983 Photos, engines & full specs

Fiat noticed an increased demand for station wagons in the late '70s, so, in 1980, it added the Panorama version of the second series of its supermini model, the 127.

Even though the model 127 was introduced in 1971, it didn't run out of steam and was still in high demand in the European market. Moreover, the car was already produced in Spain as a SEAT 127 and in Poland, under license, as a Polski Fiat 127. In 1977, the Italian automaker launched the second series of this popular vehicle, and three years later, it added a three-door station wagon bodywork for it.

Thanks to the transversely mounted engine at the front, the 127 featured a short hood and a minimal front overhang. For the 127 Panorama, the automaker implemented the front fascia of the newly developed model 147 with rectangular headlights and corner-mounted blinkers. Like its sibling, the Series 2 127 hatchback sported plastic bumpers instead of the metallic ones used between 1971 and 1977. Its profile revealed a new shape, with two new side windows behind the doors. At the back, the car featured a large, raked-forward tailgate flanked by low-mounted taillights.

Inside, the 127 Panorama featured a squarish dashboard, with an instrument cluster extended above the center stack. Fiat placed a pair of bucket seats at the front with a tilt-forward function to ease the ingress and egress of the rear passengers. At the back, behind the flat-folding bench, the 127 featured a larger trunk than its hatchback sibling, making it an ideal, affordable vehicle for families.

Fiat installed either a gasoline or a diesel engine underneath the 127 Panorama's hood. Both were paired with a four-speed manual, while a five-speed manual was available as an option for the gas-powered unit.