Brand: Maxxis, Width: 15, Width: 5 | 131 & Mirafiori 1974 to 1983

Fiat 131 & Mirafiori 1974 to 1983

Italy's Ford Cortina, with a bit of Escort thrown in too, in terms of size and sporting pretensions. Replacing the 124 was always going to be difficult, but the 131 was a domestic success, and did well enough overseas (and in competition) to hold its head up reasonably high! Boxy styling, excellent engines (especially in twincam Super Mirafiori models) and engineering, plus lots of room and all the features the market demanded.

Despite this, it was always seen as a leftfield choice in the UK. Which is strange really, especially as the 131 was a successful rally car at a time when the sport was very popular, and the TC and Sport models were marketed as road versions of the rally cars.

Standard tyre for the 131 saloon was a 155SR13, with the option of a 175/70SR13 (or even a strange 175/75SR350 Denovo runflat). The estate had a 165SR13.

The Mirafiori (1981-1982) had a 165SR13 tyre, and from 1983, the option of 175/70SR13 or 185/60HR14 on a 14-inch wheel (as did the Super model).

Sport & TC models normally had a 14-inch wheel and a 185/60HR14 tyre.