The 124 family marks the second great era in SEAT's history, after the 600, and the ultimate evolution of the series is the FL 90, the SEAT 124 D Especial 2000, direct heir to SEAT Competicion's famous rally 124s. It was launched in 1979, powered by a 2-litre twin-cam engine delivering 114 HP, almost twice as much as the original 124 of 1968.

By the late '70s, the 124 was sharing the domestic market with its natural successor, the SEAT 131, which had been launched in 1975. And just a couple of months after the unveiling of the FL 90 in 1979 the Ritmo was launched, the new front-wheel drive SEAT compact car for the '80s. Thus, the 124 D Especial 2000 was the last of a saga, the successor to the legendary FU and FL with twin-cam engines.

As a matter of fact the direct predecessor of the FL 90, the 124 D Especial 1800 (or FL 80), launched in late 1976, had been the basis of the works group 4 SEAT rally car with which the Spanish brand won the trophy for the best works team on the 1977 Monte-Carlo rally, having finished third and fourth overall. Besides, at the wheel of a group 2 FL 90 Salvador Cañellas went on to win the 1979 Spanish Touring Car Championship, the last title for SEAT Competicion.

Compared to the FL 80, the 124-2000 was fitted with rack and pinion steering rather than worm and sector, an upgrade already premiered in March 1978 in the FL 82 intermediate evolution. Besides, it got 175 mm section tyres, much more in line with the car's potential than the 155 mm tyres of the 124-1800.

But the big difference was the 1919cc engine (a capacity chosen for taxation reasons) - it actually delivered the same power (114 HP) but with more torque. This engine was specifically developed by SEAT in the Martorell Technical Centre (opened in 1975). It had been premiered at the end of 1978 in the 132-2000, and in early 1980 it was also used in the 131 CLX 2000, in addition to the Lancia Coupe, which at that time was also manufactured by SEAT in the same Landaben plant where the FL was produced.

Actually, the Lancia was the only rival of the FL 90 in the domestic market, but it cost 50% more. For performance, no car of similar price could stand up to the FL 90. Its great competition potential, where it would continue to achieve successes well into the '80s, also resulted in a remarkable active security in daily traffic.

With 5 seats, a large trunk and the vivacity of its 114 HP engine, in addition to the H4 halogen headlights, the FL 90 was a family touring car with a sporty spirit. The only snag was the fuel tank of just 39 litres, which limited the range on long journeys.

Only 829 units of the 124 D Special 2000 were manufactured in a period of three months and all were bright red. Apart from the colour, the car was quite low-key, only distinguished by the black side band with the legend "2000" (also on the boot lid), in addition to the bigger tyres. Inside, the steering wheel from the Sport 1200/1430 "Bocanegra" stood out.

The FL 90 disappeared from price lists in late 1979 and its scarcity makes it a true collector's car today. SEAT HISTORICOS keeps this immaculate unit, registered in Madrid in March 1979 and always kept in totally original conditions. The FL 90 of the Collection is a regular competitor in regularity classic car rallies and various events, even in Germany