Production | |
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Model Year: | 1967 |
Production Years: | 1967 - 1975 discontinued in 1975 |
The Fiat 124 Familiare, produced between 1967 and 1975, is the station wagon variant of the popular Fiat 124 series. Renowned for its practical design and versatility, this model offered Italian automotive enthusiasts a reliable family car option with increased cargo capacity. The Familiare combines the compact dimensions typical of the 1960s sedans with the added functionality of an estate car, making it ideal for transporting passengers and luggage alike.
Although specific dimensions for the Familiare model are less frequently documented than its sedan counterpart, the station wagon maintained a length roughly around 4,230 mm (approximately 166.5 inches), a width near 1,630 mm (64.2 inches), and a height around 1,400 mm (55.1 inches). These measurements placed the 124 Familiare comfortably in the compact family car category, offering a balanced footprint for urban driving and practicality.
Built on a lightweight chassis, the Familiare typically weighed about 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs), aiding its nimble handling and fuel efficiency. The design focused on spaciousness, with a rear cargo area that could be expanded by folding down the rear seats, enhancing versatility for larger loads. The station wagon's body style featured a rear tailgate, facilitating easier loading and unloading compared to the sedan version.
Under the hood, the Fiat 124 Familiare shared powertrains common to the Fiat 124 line, typically equipped with a 1.2 to 1.4-liter inline-four engine that balanced performance and economy for daily driving. Its simple mechanical setup ensured straightforward maintenance and dependable operation for families and commercial users alike.
The Fiat 124 Familiare stands as a classic example of 1960s Italian automotive design that married style with usability. Its blend of compact dimensions, station wagon practicality, and classic styling cues have made it a beloved vehicle among collectors and enthusiasts of vintage Italian cars. Today, the 124 Familiare remains a symbol of affordability and versatility from Fiat's historic lineup.
Discover the standout features that make the 1967 Fiat 124 Familiare a leader in its class
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The Fiat 124 Familiare station wagon produced between 1967 and 1975 has an approximate length of 4,220 mm (166 inches), a width of about 1,630 mm (64 inches), and a height close to 1,405 mm (55.3 inches). These dimensions made it a moderately sized station wagon for its time, providing a good balance between interior space and urban drivability. Its relatively compact size helped with maneuverability in city environments while still offering the practicality and cargo capacity expected from a family-oriented wagon.
The Fiat 124 Familiare was known for offering generous cargo space given its compact footprint. While exact cargo volume figures are not always consistently recorded for this model, the station wagon design prioritized rear storage flexibility with foldable rear seats and a wide hatch opening, enabling practical use for families and transporting goods. Compared to many European station wagons of the late 1960s and early 1970s, it provided sufficient luggage room for daily needs and vacations, though somewhat less spacious than larger American wagons of the same period. Its balance made it very functional without being oversized.
Yes, the Fiat 124 Familiare generally fits comfortably within a standard garage. Most standard garages accommodate vehicles up to approximately 2,400 mm wide (about 7.9 feet) and 5,000 mm long (about 16.4 feet). With its width of around 1,630 mm (64 inches) and length of roughly 4,220 mm (166 inches), the Fiat 124 Familiare offers ample room for easy parking and maneuvering inside a typical residential garage. Its moderate height of about 1,405 mm (55.3 inches) also ensures no clearance issues with standard garage doors or ceilings.
The Fiat 124 Familiare station wagon is based on the Fiat 124 Berlina sedan platform but features an extended rear section to accommodate the wagon body style. The Berlina sedan measures slightly less in length, approximately 4,020 mm (158 inches), compared to the Familiare's 4,220 mm (166 inches), mainly due to the added cargo area. Width and height remain close between the two, with the Familiare slightly taller to allow increased interior headroom and cargo space. This extension translates into improved versatility for families or users needing more storage, while maintaining the familiar driving dynamics and size footprint of the Berlina.
With a width of about 1,630 mm (64 inches), the Fiat 124 Familiare is relatively narrow, especially when compared to modern station wagons. This narrow profile enhances its urban drivability, making it easier to navigate tight city streets, narrow lanes, and compact parking spaces common in European cities during its production era. The narrower width translates to less risk of scraping doors in tight spots and allows for more comfortable parallel parking maneuvers. Overall, this dimension was a practical advantage for an everyday family wagon of its time.
The Fiat 124 Familiare stands about 1,405 mm (55.3 inches) tall, with a ground clearance typically around 150-160 mm (approximately 5.9 to 6.3 inches), standard for compact family cars of the era. This height provides adequate headroom inside the cabin for passengers while keeping the center of gravity low enough for stable handling and manageable body roll. The moderate ground clearance ensures the vehicle can tackle common urban and rural road surfaces without much difficulty, while facilitating a convenient loading height for the rear cargo compartment—helpful for families and loading bulky items comfortably.
The Fiat 124 Familiare weighs approximately 1,000 to 1,100 kg (2,205 to 2,425 lbs), which is relatively light compared to some other mid-century station wagons whose weights could exceed 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) or more. This lighter weight contributed to relatively nimble handling and respectable fuel efficiency for a wagon, enhancing everyday usability and lower operating costs. The manageable weight also complemented the vehicle's modest engine options, allowing for acceptable acceleration and performance despite the station wagon’s added utility.
The Fiat 124 Familiare retained much of the elegant and simple styling cues of the Fiat 124 Berlina sedan but adapted those elements into a practical station wagon form. It featured a longer roofline and squared-off rear end to maximize cargo capacity without compromising the car’s clean and timeless design. Chrome trim and round headlights provided a classic 1960s European character. Its design was considered conservative but functional, emphasizing versatility and understated aesthetics rather than flashiness. The wagon’s large windows increased interior light and outward visibility, enhancing its family-friendly appeal.
The Fiat 124 Familiare stood out among small family wagons of the late 1960s for combining Italian design flair with functional space and solid mechanical reliability. Compared to German or French family wagons of that period, it generally offered a lighter chassis and more compact footprint, making it more city-friendly. British competitors often had a similar size but sometimes lacked in cargo volume flexibility. The Familiare’s balance of performance, space, and practical size made it a popular choice for European families seeking an affordable yet versatile vehicle in the growing station wagon segment.
The Fiat 124 Familiare typically offers seating for five passengers, with two seats in the front and a three-person bench seat in the rear. Interior space is reasonably generous for a compact wagon of its era, providing adequate legroom and headroom for passengers in both rows. The station wagon layout maximizes rear passenger comfort by maintaining a flat floor and elevated roofline towards the rear, enhancing headroom and cargo versatility. The rear seats can be folded down to further expand cargo capacity, making the Familiare well suited for family use and practical transportation needs.