The 124 was one of the biggest commercial successes obtained by Fiat on the market.
It was a simple car, with a modern look and a very good platform. It was built by other car companies under license.

In 1966, Fiat decided to replace the outdated 1300 range, which featured an old design. The 124 work started with a clean sheet and the result was a simple, yet practical design. Its platform was so good that it was the base model for a roadster and a rally car. When the 124 was replaced, the following model, the 131, used the same platform and some of its engines and transmissions.

The exterior look was very simple, with flat surfaces. In the front, the round headlights were united by the same chromed grille with horizontal slats. The Special version (Fiat 124 S) featured a twin-headlights design and flush door handles.

Inside, the car was roomy enough for five adult passengers, even though the transmission tunnel was tall on the front side of the vehicle. The gear-stick was mounted on the floor, replacing the steering-column shifter from the previous Fiat 1300.

Under the hood, the 124 was offered with a choice of five engines ranged from 1.2-liter to 1.5-liter. Most of the engine versions were fitted with a 4-speed manual, while the “Special” 1.5-liter version was offered with a standard 5-speed gearbox. The car featured double-arm front suspension and live rear axle with coil springs.