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Fiat 1800 B in the (historic) test - more bite for the bourgeoisie

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Created on May 20, 1962

Text:

Olaf von Fersen

Photos:

Archiv Karl Ludvigsen

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Archiv

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Archiv Karl Ludvigsen

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Archiv

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The saloon version of the Fiat 1800 B was called the Berlina.

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Fiat 1800 (1961) - practically identical to Fiat 2100

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Fiat 1800 B (1962) - as Berlina/Limousine

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Fiat 1800 B (1962) - View of the interior of the saloon with 5/6 comfortable seats

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Fiat 1800 B (1962) - Transparency drawing

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The Lampredi concepts for the Fiat 1800 were also applied to the Fiat 1500

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Lampredi had the combustion chamber shape newly designed for the Fiat 1800 patented. It got its name because of the three intersecting spherical shapes

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Fiat 1800 B (1962) - Engine similar in design to the Fiat 2300, but with less displacement and power

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An engine with a racing pedigree - the in-line six-cylinder engine is a source of joy and delivers an additional 5 kilowatts in the 1800 B.

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Fiat 1800 B (1962) - Disc brakes on all four wheels, identical in construction to Fiat 2300

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Fiat 1800 B (1962) - can also represent

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With the 1800 B, both husband and wife were able to show off their skills.

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An advertising image for the 1800 from 1959. The saloon enjoyed good sales figures.

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The complete Fiat range of the year 1962, including the 1800 B...

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An 1800 B in elegant company and among relatives with the 2.3-liter engine, gathered in front of a spectacular fountain.

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The Fiat 1800 combines functionality and sportiness, the "B" refers exclusively to the former.

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Fiat 1800 (1960) - austere design

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The flat roof shape has a positive effect on the headroom in the rear, and the all-round visibility is impressive.

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Fiat 1800 (1959) - rear view

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Fiat 1800 (1959) - Front section, radiator, headlights

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A look inside the spacious and well-designed interior.

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Fiat 1800 (1962) - with sunroof, identical in construction to the Fiat 2100

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Fiat 1800 (1962) - sunroof, identical in construction to the Fiat 2100

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Fiat 1800 - Powertrain also interests Swiss President Paul Chaudet - Geneva Motor Show 1959

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Fiat 1800 - Chassis model gives an insight into the technology of the new saloon - Geneva Motor Show 1959

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Fiat 1800 (1959) - Transparent drawing from the factory

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The view-through drawing shows an 1800 from 1959, the rear axle suspension was simplified for the 1800 B.

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Fiat 1800 (1959) - Experiment to illustrate the symmetry of the bodywork

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This illustration from a contemporary brochure provides a view of the steering wheel, the dashboard and presumably a Douglas DC-4 of Alitalia.

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Fiat 1800 B Familiare

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Fiat 1800 (1961) - the estate version offers space for everything, there was also a Familiare version of the smaller 1300/1500

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Fiat 1800 Familiare (1962) - as an estate car for all kinds of transportation tasks

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Fiat 1800 Familiare (1962) - similar to Fiat 2100 Familiare

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Summary

The 1800 from the Turin-based manufacturer had already gained a foothold in the German market by the end of the 1950s. The saloon impressed with its extensive and functional equipment, a modern trapezoidal body and a lively engine that bore the signature of former Ferrari chief engineer Aurelio Lampredi. In 1961, Fiat revised its mid-range car and created the 1800 B, which was equipped with disc brakes and other modifications. This article reproduces the original test report from that time and shows the saloon in many historical pictures and sales material.

This article contains the following chapters

Attractive exterior
Magnificent engine
Good gearbox - hard shifting
Conventional chassis, excellent brakes
Sitting, seeing, safety
How it drives

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Since its introduction in 1959, the FIAT 1800 has, as they say, "gone down well" in Germany. Externally, this four-door saloon designed by Pininfarina is a typical representative of the "trapezoidal line", offering maximum interior space with a clear, sharply outlined silhouette. The six-cylinder engine, the spacious four-door body as well as its price of DM 9450.00 place this FIAT model in the upper class, which ranks above the middle class. In terms of price, the car occupies a favorable position there. This is certainly one of the reasons for its popularity. The 1800 B differs from its predecessor primarily in the disc brakes on all four wheels and the modified guidance of the rigid rear axle. To anticipate the verdict right away: the brakes are among the best we have been able to test on a mass-produced car, the changes to the rear axle seem to us to have been driven more by the desire for rational production than by a further improvement in road holding. In short: we were unable to find any progress here.

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