Opening the way to the European fashion for station wagons, the Fiat Design Centre created the “Familiare” version of its flagship 130 in 1971.
The Familiare version of the FIAT 130 was built by Officina Introzzi, a coachbuilder just outside Como specialised in special projects and transformations. The design was by the Fiat Design Centre and originated from a specific request from the Agnelli family.
The FIAT 130 flagship sedan was launched in 1969 with a V6 2800 cc engine producing 140 HP and a three-speed automatic transmission. It was a sumptuous four-door sedan with rather boxy lines and a somewhat American look, featuring lavish chrome trims. The independent suspensions on all four wheels and the large seats made this saloon particularly comfortable on long journeys.
The engine was updated in 1971, increasing the displacement to3200 cc with 165 horsepower, and a mechanical gearbox was added alongside the automatic transmission. The Geneva International Motor Show saw the presentation of the five-seater coupé version of the model, designed and built by Pininfarina, also equipped with the updated mechanicals. The Fiat Design Centre used the sedan as the basis for creation of the 130 Familiare, just four of which were built by Officina Introzzi.
The four cars produced all featured different details and were all intended for members of the Agnelli family.
All four cars had the same basic conversion job, but they differed in colours and some additional details. They all had a huge, glazed rear hatchback with two handles either side of the registration plate. The large windows added to create the luggage compartment continued the slant of the air scoop and the rear pillar, which was fitted with ventilation fins.
The first car to be built was later called the Villa d’Este. Its sides were finished with imitation wood in the US style and the luggage rack on the roof was topped with a strange, largewicker basket: this was the personal station wagon of Gianni Agnelli, who used it in St Moritz in the winter to drive from his home to the slopes, loading his skis in the basket.
Unlike the 130 Villa d'Este, which had metallic silver paintwork, the other three cars did not have the wood and wicker details, but instead featured a two-tone livery. The grey 130 Familiare with metallic amaranth roof was a gift from Gianni Agnelli to his favourite antiques dealer, and is perfectly conserved, while the car produced with a green roof has vanished without trace. FCA Heritage possesses the car once owned by Umberto Agnelli; with tasteful cream paintwork and metallic bronze roof, it is perfectly preserved.
