The SEAT 132 was the successor to the 1500 in the high-end SEAT range. The first series of the 132 was launched in April 1973 and remained on the market for a year and a half before the second series was unveiled. The initial range culminated in the 132-1800 Lujo.

The 132 came to replace the 1500, but there was a six-month gap between the discontinuation of the latter and the launch of the former, at the 1973 Barcelona Motor Show in 1973, where it was the big novelty. The car retained the classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, but its concept was much more modern and dynamic.

The first series of the 132 was powered by the 1600 and 1800 cc twin-cam engines, mated to a five-speed gearbox (optional on the 1600). The available trim levels were Normal and Lujo, the former only available with the 1600 engine. The Lujo had chrome trim along the wheel arches and boot lid, outer rear-view mirror and a different grille, and the interior featured velvet upholstery, headrests and a wooden dashboard.

Both twin-cam engines had been introduced in the SEAT range in the 124 Sport and would later be found also in the 1430 FU and the forthcoming 131. Specifically, the 1800 made its debut in the 124 Sport 1800 at the end of 1972, although in the 132 it delivered 105 HP instead of 118, in favour of driveability and fuel economy. Only the 1600 was available until the end of 132 production in 1980. In the second series, the 1800 went on to deliver 107 HP and was replaced by the 132-2000 at the end of 1978, when the 132 was already in the third series.

First-series 132s are very rare models, as the second series was unveiled in November 1974, just a year and a half after the 132 was launched. In the second series, the bodywork changed significantly, with bigger side and rear windows, larger rear lights (with integrated reversing light) and a new grille.

The second-series 132 also received changes to the suspension layout, wider wheels and new, more comfortable and luxurious front seats. With the second series, the 132 was also available with a 2.0 diesel engine (2.2 in the third series), as well as an automatic transmission from 1976 (optional on the 1800). The 132 was therefore the first SEAT with an automatic transmission. Finally, in the third series the 132 got power steering, 14” wheels and air conditioning, while the rear brakes were changed to drums instead of discs.

Interestingly, the 132 was always available in a single body variant, a four-door saloon. Unlike the model it replaced, the 1500 (and its predecessors, the 1400 and 1400 C), and its siblings, the 124, 1430 and 131, the 132 did not have an estate version. This detail confirms its status as a high-end saloon, because back then the estate body was still regarded as a van. The 132 was a proper luxury car instead, as its refined medium-high capacity twin-cam engines and overall presence underlined.

Actually, SEAT abandoned this segment when the 132 was discontinued in 1980. As for size and capacity, it could be argued the Toledo took over from the 132 in the ’90s. However, in terms of status and technical refinement, the true successor to the 132 was the 2008 SEAT Exeo... although the Exeo did have an estate body, which was already popular with young, dynamic families at the time.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 132, SEAT HISTÓRICOS recovered and restored this first-series unit in 2023. It is a 132-1800 Lujo, registered in Zaragoza at the end of 1973 and painted in the attractive metallic green colour.