Fiat rattle

Sir,
I have read with interest the comments by Bill Boddy on the Fiat 124 Sport in your September issue.

I have owned the 1,483-c.c. version of this well-engineered model for some time, and concur with the remarks made, especially the oil pressure.

The statement that the engine sounds rather rattly at 500 r.p.m. is true, this I must add is not the engine, but the gearbox. Fiats are rather cagey about this and it is obvious they have as yet not overcome this irritating symptom which spoils an otherwise excellent car. Their only comment is to increase the tick-over revs to 1,000 r.p.m. plus but can offer no other cure!

J. E. Goodman.
Loughton.