He 124 family grew bigger in 1969 with the 1430, powered by a more powerful engine, and in 1970 with the unique 124 Sport Coupé 1600, premiered in Barcelona's Motorshow… (read more)
Launch: Spring 1970
End of production: Ends 1972
Number built: 10.179 (1600 only)
Price: 243.500 Ptas.
Petrol, 4 cylinders in-line
Position: At front, longitudinal
Bore x stroke: 80 x 80 mm
Capacity: 1.608 cc
Valvetrain: Double overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Carburettors: 2 double choke Weber 40
Max. power: 110 HP at 6.400 rpm
Max. torque: 137,3 Nm at 3.800 rpm
Max. speed: 180 km/h
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, plus reverse
Clutch: Dry single-plate
Front suspension:
Independent, double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar
Rear suspension:
Live axle, coil springs and telescopic dampers
Steering: Worm and sector
Front/rear: Discs/discs
165 SR 13
Body: 2-volume coupe, 2+2 seats
Length/width/height: 4.120/1.670/1.340 mm
Wheelbase: 2.420 mm
Weight: 995 kg
The launch of SEAT's 124 in 1968 marked a clear step in the diversification of the Spanish brand's range - at last, a true medium-size European car was available to customers. The 124 family grew bigger the next year with the 1430, powered by a more powerful engine, and in 1970 with the unique 124 Sport Coupé 1600, premiered in Barcelona's Motorshow.
It was an attractive and elegant coupe - 4,12 metres long with 4 seats (2+2) - built on the platform of the 124 saloon - so it shared its spaciousness and comfort, but the whole package was endowed with an exquisite sportiness and delivered the level of performance that a select group of motorists demanded, thanks to a 1.6-litre, 110 HP twin-cam engine, with two double-choke carburettors and less than 1.000 kg of weight.
The 124 Sport Coupé caused sensation in the domestic market, both for its gorgeous lines and for its powertrain. For instance, it was the first Spanish car fitted with a 5-speed gearbox. In 1971, it won the Spanish Car of the Year award. It was the third year in a row the 124 and its spin-offs were granted this prestigious title, which goes some way to explain the impact of the whole 124 family on the domestic market.
At the end of 1972, the 1600 was replaced by the 124 Sport Coupé 1800, now powered by a 1.8-litre, 118 HP engine. The new model could be recognized by its bigger bumpers, a new rectangular and more solid grille, and vertical instead of horizontal tail-lights. Inside, the only change was the addition of an aluminium panel on the dashboard. Exactly 10.179 units of the 124 Sport 1600 were built, and 12.704 of the 1800 - 22.883 in total.
The 124 Sport Coupé 1600 unit that forms part of the SEAT HISTÓRICOS Collection is a wonderful 1972 example. It is kept in pristine condition and used extensively in regularity rallies for historic cars.
The 124 Sport's performance and road holding make it a very driveable car in this kind of events. Actually, in the 1971 Monte-Carlo Rally, a SEAT 124 Sport Coupé 1600, driven by RACC's Salvador Fàbregas and César Apezteguía, finished third in the Chevronnés category for veteran drivers.
