Fiat Classics on display at the Mumbai International Motor Show 2013

  • Jan 25, 2013
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A 1954 Fiat 600, a 1956 Fiat Millecento and one of the first city cars from Fiat, the cinquecento are among five fabulous examples of early Fiat models on display at the ongoing Mumbai International Motor Show (MIMS) 2013

Fiat Classics at the MIMS 2013 - 1957 Fiat Elegant

1. 1954 Fiat 600

Owner - Sameer Kadam

The Fiat 600, also called the Seicento, was introduced at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show. Measuring only 3.22 m long, it was the first rear-engined Fiat. During its heydays it became very popular in countries such as Spain (as Seat 600), where it became an icon par excellence. The car had hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels. The suspension system employed a unique single double-mounted leaf springs, which acted as a stabilizer between the front wheels coupled to gas-charged shock absorbers, and an independent coil-over-shock absorber setup coupled to semi-trailing arms at the rear. The 600 was a remarkably fast seller in its time and the millionth 600 was produced in February 1961, less than six years after the car's launch.

Salient features

Engine: 633 cc, 4-cylinder

Power: 22 bhp @ 4600 rpm

Gearbox: 4-speed

Suspension: 

Front – Independent wishbones, transverse leaf springs

Rear – Independent semi-trailing arms

2. 1956 Fiat Millecento

Owner – Sonu Singh

It was at the 1953 Geneva show that Fiat introduced the new 1100 and the 103 series was born. Although the engine retained the same superficial dimensions as that of its predecessor, it was completely re-designed and fitted in an entirely new, compact integral body/chassis. 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). Between 1956 and 1960, the new 1100 underwent several slight changes in fittings and details which included a newly designed grille, more rectangular profile, dual color dressing, and small fintails with spear-shaped backlights.

Salient features

Engine: 1,089 cc, 4-cylinder

Power: 36 bhp @ 4,400 rpm

Gearbox: 4-speed

Suspension: 

Front – Independent coil springs

Rear – Rigid axle, semi elliptic springs

Fiat Classics at the MIMS 2013

3. 1957 Fiat Elegant

Owner - Irfan Mogul

The Elegant or the 1100E was the first derivation of the 103 series introduced in 1953, incorporating mechanical and body changes. Mechanical changes included an increase in power and suspension changes. Body changes included an additional bright trim, central fog lamps in the grille and new instrumentation. 

Salient features

Engine: 1,089 cc, 4-cylinder

Power: 40 bhp @ 4,400 rpm

Gearbox: 4-speed

Suspension: 

Front – Independent coil springs, wishbones

Rear – Rigid axle, semi elliptic-springs


4. 1961 Fiat 500

Owner – Viveck Goenka

The summer of 1957 saw Fiat introduce the new 500. The new car used the latest design techniques, such as integral body/chassis structure, all round independent suspension and a rear engine. The engine however was an air-cooled 2-cylinder unit, the first ever employed by Fiat. Also known as the cinquecento, the 500 redefined the term "small car" and is considered one of the first city cars. Replacing the original Nuova in 1960, the D variant looked very similar to the Nuova, but there were two key differences. One was the engine size (the D featured an uprated 499 cc engine producing 17 bhp as standard—this engine was used right through until the end of the L variant in 1973) and the other is the roof as the standard D roof does not fold back as far as the roof on the Nuova. The D also featured suicide doors.

Salient features

Engine: 479 cc, 2-cylinder

Power: 17 bhp @ 4,000 rpm

Gearbox: 4-speed

Suspension: 

Front – Independent wishbones

Rear – Independent semi-trailing arms

Fiat Classics at the MIMS 2013

5. 1965 Fiat 1100 Delight

Owner - Pramod Malviya

The Fiat 1100D, based on the Fiat 1200 Granluce Berlina, debuted in India in 1964 with a carbureted 1,089 cc four-cylinder engine, rather than the 1,221 cc engine fitted to the GranLuce in Italy. This was basically the third generation 1100 where 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 with 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.

Salient features

Engine: 1,089 cc, 4-cylinder

Power: 40 bhp @ 4800 rpm

Gearbox: 4-speed

Suspension: 

Front – Independent wishbones, coil springs

Rear – Rigid axle, semi-elliptic springs

6. 1971 Fiat 500

Owner – Siddharth Khona

The summer of 1957 saw Fiat introduce the new 500. The new car used the latest design techniques, such as integral body/chassis structure, all round independent suspension and a rear engine. The engine however was an air-cooled 2-cylinder unit, the first ever employed by Fiat. Also known as the cinquecento, the 500 redefined the term "small car" and is considered one of the first city cars. For the 1971 car which was the penultimate model, the main change was a much modernized interior (including a renewed dashboard) which brought the Fiat 500 up to date. Greater comfort and style were provided in this new model for the new generation.

Salient features

Engine: 479 cc, 2-cylinder

Power: 17 bhp @ 4,000 rpm

Gearbox: 4-speed

Suspension: 

Front – Independent wishbones

Rear – Independent semi-trailing arms

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