The launch of SEAT’s 124 in 1968 was a turning point in the history of the brand and, therefore, of the domestic market. For the first time, SEAT was offering a European mid-size type car, comparable to the current C-segment of compact cars.

The unveiling of the 124 took place at the 1968 Barcelona Motor Show. It was a three-box saloon just over 4 meters long, with a traditional front engine and rear-wheel drive layout. However, it offered important details of modernity, such as disc brakes all round, synchronized gearbox or coil springs on the rear suspension (rather than leaf springs).

To prove the road capabilities of the new model, SEAT promoted the launch of the 124 with a bold adventure: to travel 8,000 km in 124 hours of uninterrupted running along Spanish roads. On April 15, at 5 a.m., two specialist drivers, Carlos del Val and Virgilio Hernández Rivadulla, left Barcelona behind the wheel of a SEAT 124 and, after a 8,303 km tour of Spain, arrived in Castelldefels on April 20, at 9 a.m. (count them: it's 124 hours!). That was precisely the day of the opening of the Motor Show in which the brand-new SEAT 124 was to be unveiled.

This first series of the 124 had two versions, Normal (FA chassis code) and Lujo (FB). The latter differed by the chrome feature lines on the sides and the edges of the hood and boot lid, and the whitewall tyres. Inside, the Lujo (luxury) featured new combinations of colours and upholstery quality, while the Normal only had brown imitation leather upholstery.

Moreover, they shared an entirely new 1.2-litre, 60 HP engine, which was then considered a medium cylinder-capacity in Spain. In the SEAT line-up, the 124 was located between the 850 4 Doors and the 1500, the brand's flagship. The first series 124s are recognized by bumpers with small rubber stops, fully chromed grille, single rear lights and the lack of air vents on the rear pillars.

In 1969, SEAT’s 124 was awarded the 1968 Spain’s Car of the Year title. On July 14 of that year, a 124 Lujo was the "1 millionth" car built by SEAT since 1953: thanks to the warm welcome of the 124 and the ongoing commercial success of the eternal 600, SEAT’s production had soared. For families where the 600 had been their first car, the 124 allowed for journeys with unknown levels of comfort.

In October 1969, the 124 L was unveiled as replacement for the Lujo. It was fitted with floor carpet, more enveloping seats and special upholstery. The most striking difference, however, was the adoption of the instrument board of the recent SEAT 1430, with two large gauges for the speedometer and the tachometer, rather than the previous rectangular dashpanel.

Finally, in March 1971 the second series of the SEAT 124 appeared, called 124 D (also with a luxury version). It was easily recognizable by larger rubber stops on the bumpers, black slats on the grille, air vents on the rear pillars and double rear lights, in addition to the dual brake circuit and radial tyres instead of cross-plies.

SEAT HISTÓRICOS completed the restoration of this first-series 124 in 2018, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the model. It is a 124 Normal, white and with the standard brown upholstery, registered in Barcelona in the first half of 1968. Therefore, it is one of the first units built of the model. The brand’s Collection includes another very special first-series 124: the 124 Lujo that the following year made the car "1 millionth" car produced by the brand.