Five years after the launch of the 127, at the end of September 1977 SEAT unveiled its second series, after a complete restyling both inside and out. So SEAT’s 127 strengthened its arguments to maintain primacy in the supermini B-segment.

When it was launched in 1972, the 127 had been the pioneer of this segment, being the first front-wheel drive SEAT, with rack-and-pinion steering and McPherson struts front suspension. Back then it was a model without competition, but after five years and 800,000 units built, an update was needed, after the unveiling of new rivals in the segment.

SEAT undertook the task comprehensively. While maintaining the overall silhouette of the body, the aesthetics of the 2nd series 127 were different and, above all, much more modern. At the front, the bonnet was flat and the headlights (the same as those of the 1st series) were integrated into a black grille with horizontal stripes.

To be better protected, side and indicator lights were now housed in the bumpers, which were made of plastic material and more enveloping. The resulting image was similar to that of SEAT’s redesign of the 124 FL-type.

The profile also changed, with a lower and more horizontal waistline. In the 1st series, the waistline rising towards the rear window gave the car a fastback look. The new silhouette, however, was more contemporary. It also had protective side mouldings and the lower sidewalls were covered with black anti-corrosion and anti-gravel material.

At the rear, the load floor was lower and more comfortable, and the rear lights were new, larger, and incorporated a double reversing light. A curious detail is that the number plate became rectangular, instead of square as in the 1st series 127. Finally, the fuel filler cap no longer protruded from the body.

Inside, the dashboard was completely new, and the instrument board featured two large octagonal-shaped dials. Also new were the steering wheel, the headlamp, indicator and windscreen wiper stalks (coloured at their ends), the gear lever and the seats, with adjustable headrests and reclining backrests.

The 2nd series 127 was unveiled to the press at the Devesa Park in Girona. It was available in three body variants: 2-door, 3-door (with a large tailgate) and 4-door, the latter produced exclusively by SEAT and exported throughout Europe, as was already the case with the 1st series 127 4P. In 1980 SEAT launched the 127 5P, which combined the 4 doors with a tailgate.

There were three trim levels: basic (entry level), C (Confort) and CL (Confort Lujo). The latter featured a rev counter, chrome trim on the bumpers, velvet upholstery and opening rear windows.

The engine was the well-known 45 HP 903 cc, but now there was also a low compression, 43 HP variant for two-star petrol. This variant used cheaper fuel, performance was virtually the same and was sold at the same price as the higher-compression variant in the C and CL versions (the entry model was only available with the low compression engine). In 1978 the 127 Especial appeared, with a 1,010 cc engine developed exclusively by SEAT, and by the middle of that year the 903 engine became available only in the low-compression variant.

The 2nd series 127 was in production until the end of 1981, when the 127 Fura (3rd series) was introduced. SEAT HISTÓRICOS has recently restored this 2-door 127 CL, with HB90 type engine for two-star 90 octane petrol. Kent green in colour, it was registered in Madrid in November 1979.