FIAT 1100 - 63

The Fiat 1100 is a compact automobile produced from

1937 to 1969 by the Italian car maker Fiat. It was built in

several generations, with a separate chassis (until 1953)

and then monocoque bodywork.

The   1100   was   changed   steadily   and   gradually   until   finally   being   replaced   by   the   inventive   new Fiat   128   in   1969.   There   were   also   a   series   of   light   commercial   versions   of   the   1100   built,   with later   models   called   the   Fiat   1100T,   which   remained   in   production   until   1971. The   Fiat   1100D   also found   a   long   life   in   India,   where   Premier Automobiles   continued   to   build   the   car   until   the   end   of 2000. er 1204 TS.

508C Nuova Balilla 1100

The   Fiat   1100   was   first   introduced   in   1937   as   an   updated   version   of   the   508   "Balilla"   (its   real name   was   the   508C)   with   a   look   similar   to   the   1936   Fiat   500   "Topolino"   and   the   larger   1500,   with the   typical   late-thirties   heart-shaped   front   grille,   with   styling   by   the   emerging   designer   Dante Giacosa.   It   was   powered   by   a   1,089   cc   four-cylinder   overhead-valve   engine   rather   than   the earlier   Balilla's   1-litre   unit.   Power   was   up   by   a   third,   to   32   PS   (24   kW)   at   4000   rpm.   There   was also a more sporting model on offer, the 42 PS (31 kW) "508 CMM". Drive   was   to   the   rear   wheels   through   a   four-speed   gearbox,   and   for   the   period,   its   comfort, handling,   and   performance   were   prodigious,   making   it   "the   only   people's   car   that   was   also   a driver's    car".    Unusual    for    a    modestly    priced    car    of    the    time    was    the    independent    front suspension,   while   the   rear   had   a   leaf   sprung   live   axle.   Subsequently   the   car   underwent   a   partial restyling   around   the   front   end   and   gained   new   streamlined   window-shaped   louvres   and   was renamed   the   1100B   and   was   popularly   known   as   the   "1100   musone"   (i.   e.   "big   nose"). After   World War   II,   in   1949,   the   car   was   re-introduced   with   a   curvy   trunk   and   new   name,   the   1100E.   The 1100E   also   received   a   bit   more   power,   and   now   had   35   PS   (26   kW).   Both   the   508C   and   the   1100B were also available as the long wheelbase 508L which was mainly used for vans and taxis.

1100–103

In   1953,   the   1100   was   completely   redesigned   as   a   compact   four-door   sedan,   with   a   modern monocoque   bodywork   and   integrated   fenders   and   front   lights.   The   new   model   was   called   the 1100/103   after   its   project   number,   and   was   offered   (as   usual   at   that   time)   in   two   different versions:   "economica"   (cheaper)   and   "normale"   (standard).   In   October   1953,   the   car   became available   in   a   sporty   version,   the   1100TV   (Turismo   Veloce)   with   a   third   light   in   the   middle   of   the grille   and   51   PS   (38   kW)   rather   than   the   36   PS   (26   kW)   of   the   regular   versions.   It   was   also available in station-wagon version, with a side-hinged fifth door at the back. In   March   1955,   the   1100/103 Trasformabile,   a   two-seater   roadster,   was   introduced   at   the   Geneva Motor   Show.   Equipped   with   the   mechanics   from   the   1100TV,   the   American-inspired   design   was the   work   of   the   special   bodies   division   of   Fiat   (Sezione   Carrozzerie   Speciali).   571   of   these   first series   Trasformabiles   were   built.   In   1956   it   received   a   more   powerful   engine   (three   more horsepower)   and   a   modified   rear   suspension;   450   more   of   these   were   built.   From   1957   the Trasformabile   was   equipped   with   the   more   powerful   55   PS   (40   kW)   "1200"   engine   (1,221   cc). Production   of   this   model   continued   until   1959,   with   circa   2,360   of   the   1.2   liter   Trasformabiles built.   The   1.2   also   received   slight   changes   to   the   front   and   rear   design,   with   bigger   headlights being the most noticeable difference. Between   1956   and   1960,   the   new   1100   underwent   several   slight   changes   in   fittings   and   details, e.g.   newly   designed   grille,   more   rectangular   profile,   dual   color   dressing,   and   eventually   small fintails   with   spear-shaped   backlights. A   special   version,   the   1100   Granluce   (i.e.   "Large   light"),   no longer   with   rear-hinged-doors,   launched   in   1959,   had   both   fintails   and   wider   windows.   As   an option it could be fitted with a new powerful 1221 cc engine. The   Fiat   1100/103   was   imported   and   sold   by   Premier   Automobiles   Limited   (PAL).   The   older model   was   known   as   the   Millecento   and   the   one   with   the   center   light   on   the   front   grille   as   the Elegant.   In   1958,   the   fintail   model   was   introduced   as   the   Select.   It   was   followed   by   the   Super Select   in   1961.   By   1964,   the   1100D   was   introduced   and   it   was   assembled   in   India   by   PAL.   This model    has    most    of    the    parts    manufactured    locally.    In    India    it    was    considered    a    sportier alternative than the Hindustan Ambassador.

1100D

Retaining   the   exterior   changes   of   this   model,   in   1962   Fiat   introduced   the   third   generation   1100, called   the   1100D   ("D"   stood   for   Delight).   It   was   a   sober   yet   comfortable   four-door   sedan,   very similar   to   the   Granluce   but   with   simpler   sides   and   a   new   simpler   rectangular   front   end.   The 1100D   was   a   successful   Italian   Standard   in   the   early   sixties   and   along   with   its   own   Estate   or Family   car   version   and   a   Deluxe   model   that   offered   a   higher   performance   of   50   PS   (37   kW), extra   side   moldings,   front   bench   seat   with   two   reclining   backs   and   carpet   floor   mats.   These survived    without    any    substantial    alteration    until    1966,    when    the    introduction    of    the groundbreaking   124   model   imposed   a   further   change   in   styling.   Power   was   40   PS   (29   kW)   at   the time of introduction, which was soon increased to 43 PS (32 kW). The   Fiat   1100D   was   manufactured   under   licence   in   India   by   the   Premier   Automobiles   Limited beginning    in    1964.   The    vehicle    was    initially    marketed    as    the    Fiat    1100D,    as    the    Premier President   for   model   year   1972,   and   as   the   Premier   Padmini   since   1974   until   its   discontinuation   in 2000.   By   1993,   a   diesel   version   with   a   1366   cc   diesel   engine   made   in   collaboration   with   FNM from   Italy   and   was   badged   as   the   Premier   Padmini   137D.The   car   manufacturing   plant   was   closed down by 2000.

1100R

The   very   last   1100   model,   born   in   February   1966,   was   the   1100R   ("R"   stood   for   Rinnovata).   It   had a   longer,   straighter   and   slimmer   line,   with   a   square   back   and   a   front-end   look   not   very   different from   its   bigger   sister   the   Fiat   124.   In   terms   of   styling   cues,   the   vestigial   fins   were   further suppressed   and   the   simple   round   rear   light   cluster   from   the   Fiat   850   replaced   the   vertical   form seen   on   the   1100D. At   the   same   time,   the   larger   engine   was   withdrawn   in   order   to   avoid   undue overlap   with   the   124.   The   1100R   was   offered   only   with   the   older   1,089   cc   engine,   now   with   a compression   ratio   of   8:1   and   a   claimed   output   of   48   bhp   (36   kW).   This   engine   (with   a   somewhat narrower bore) had been first introduced in the 1932 Balilla. Clutch   and   gearbox   were   little   changed,   but   the   return   of   a   floor   mounted   gear   lever   positioned between   the   front   seats   and   connected   to   the   gearbox   with   a   rod   linkage   system   was   welcomed by   the   motoring   press.   The   absence   of   synchromesh   on   the   bottom   forward   speed   nevertheless offered   a   reminder   that   under   the   surface   this   was   becoming   a   somewhat   aging   design.   Between the   gearbox   and   the   differential,   the   propeller   shaft   had   now   been   separated   into   two   parts with three couplings. The   boot   was   usefully   expanded,   helped   by   a   slight   increase   in   the   car's   overall   length,   and   with more   careful   packaging   of   the   spare   wheel   (under   the   floor)   and   the   fuel   tank   (in   the   rear   wing on   the   right).   As   configured   for   UK   sales,   reclining   front   seats   were   available   as   an   optional extra for £8. The   1100R   finally   gave   way   in   1969   to   the   new   middle-class   Fiat   128.   It   was   also   assembled   by the   Neckar-Automobilwerke   in   Heilbronn,   Germany.   Called   the   Neckar   1100   Millecento   it   only differed lightly in trim.

1100T

The   1100T   was   made   from   1957   as   a   van,   pickup   and   bus.   The   car   was   equipped   with   a   in-line engine   with   1,089   cc   (type   103   D.007)   with   38   PS   (28   kW)   at   4800   rpm   and   it   had   a   top   speed   of 90   km/h   (56   mph).   In   1959,   its   successor   was   unveiled,   the   Fiat   1100   T2,   that   had   a   45   PS   (33 kW)   1,222   cc   engine.   Production   continued   with   a   steady   stream   of   updated   engines,   until production of the 1100 T4 finally came to an end in 1971.

1963

Engine 1098 cc 4 cylinders 48 hp Transmission 4-speed manual Top speed 120 km/h