FIAT Regata Weekend
Generations Timeline, Specs and Pictures
Fiat introduced a station wagon version for its mid-size sedan range, the Regata Weekend, in 1986, as a family vehicle based on the Regata sedan.
The Italian carmaker introduced the Regata range in 1983 as a successor for the 131 model and built it as a station wagon as well, starting with 1984. Two years later, in 1986, the carmaker decided to introduce a facelifted version for the entire range and improved the engines and transmissions. Unlike its three-box sedan sibling, the Weekend version didn’t get the automatic transmission.
Fiat tried to make the Regata looks better on the market and slightly tilted the headlights. They sported a rectangular shape and flanked the black plastic grille. At the front, Fiat deliberately left the wrapped-around plastic bumper unpainted to withstand better minor scratches while parking. On the sides, the carmaker added black plastic moldings for the same reason, and the same went with the rear bumper. Specific detail for the Regata Weekend was the split-opening system for the tailgate, where the lower part was lowered while the upper part was up-hinged.
Inside, the carmaker continued its wedge-shaped design with a squared-looking dashboard with a long instrument cluster extended over the center stack. On the passenger side, the carmaker installed a glove compartment. The Regata Weekend featured a folding bench at the back, which increased the trunk size from a regular 460 liters (16.2 cu-ft) to 1400 liters (35.3 cu-ft).
Under the hood, the 1986 Regata Weekend offered a choice of four gasoline or diesel engines ranged between 64 hp and 80 hp.