Treasure Found.(Escape Roads)

Byline: ERIC TEGLER

Every once in a while we're reminded why Escape Roads is such an apropos part of AutoWeek. Sure, the cars are interesting, but far more important are the associations they evoke.

It's like that for Chris Fumagalli, who has a deep emotional attachment to his 1969 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe. The 124 is a great car, but for Fumagalli it is also a vital part of his past.

A native Venezuelan, Fumagalli emigrated to the United States in 1983, carrying with him memories of a versatile Italian sports coupe. Fumagalli's father and grandfather imported the second and third 124 Coupes to Venezuela in 1969. The president of Fiat Venezuela owned the first one. The Fumagallis sold one car but kept the other, a maroon 124 Sport.

The 124 Coupe is based on the 124 Saloon, a boxy economical four-door that appeared in 1966. Despite its pedestrian role, the 124 Saloon had roots from which enthusiast machines could grow. In Fiat tradition, the 124 was fertilized, resulting in the popular 124 Spider and the Coupe that debuted in 1967.

The coupe body was designed in-house at Fiat using the same saloon wheelbase but substituting spider mechanicals. These included a high-revving, 1438-cc ohc four-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual transmission, worm-and-roller steering, four-wheel disc brakes and a double-wishbone coilover front/live-axle Panhard rear suspension.

While not as sexy as the Pininfarina-designed Spider, the Coupe's angular body was applauded by the press for looks and versatility. Car and Driver loved the whole machine, calling it "a GT car and then some.''