Fiat
(1899 - today)
Brand:
Country:
Italy
Fiat stands for ‘Fabbrica Italiana Automobili di Torino’ and was founded in 1899. The company developed into the largest car manufacturer in Italy. Famous models included the Fiat ‘Topolino’, the Fiat Balilla, the Fiat 500, the Fiat 600, the Fiat 124 and the Fiat 1100. For a long time, the focus was on small cars and mid-range vehicles. Fiat took over Lancia and Ferrari in 1969 and Alfa Romeo in 1986. In addition to car manufacturing, the portfolio also included the production of lorries, industrial vehicles and even aircraft and ships. In the new millennium, Fiat merged with Chrysler (FCA) and finally merged into Stellantis, which also includes the French PSA Group.
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When Fiat won major prizes
FIAT (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) had barely been founded in 1899 when the Turin-based company ventured onto the racetrack and immediately claimed its first victories. Founding member and senator Giovanni Agnelli Senior immediately understood the advertising power of motor racing and Fiat took on the foreign competition with ever more powerful racing cars. The first major success was celebrated in 1904 at the Brescia-Cremona-Mantua-Brescia race, the last in 1927 at the Gran Premio di Milano. Fiat bid farewell to Grand Prix racing and only returned to today's Grand Prix scene much later through Ferrari. This report will outline some of the outstanding events and successes.
Between 1925 and 1929, Fiat built the 509, vehicles and chassis with a contemporary technical profile. The car sold well, and Fiat was able to sell as many as 90,000 units. This was helped not only by installment payments and insurance cover as an option, but also by the variety of models. This report portrays a Fiat 509A from 1927 and briefly describes the history and technology of the model series, supplemented with historical images and brochures.
An 85-year-old fire engine narrowly escapes a blaze and is rediscovered after almost being forgotten. It almost sounds like a fairy tale, but that's exactly what happened recently. Now the 1928 Fiat 521, which was restored around 30 years ago, is looking for a new owner. This vehicle report describes and shows the unusual car in many pictures, looks back at its past and gives an insight into the operation of such an old vehicle.
What do a Fiat 508 S from 1935, a Jaguar E-Type from 1961 and a Ferrari Testarossa from 1985 have in common? They are all sports cars and icons of their era. And above all, they are sought after and coveted today. But can they be compared? And how do they feel when you sit behind the wheel? This driving report brings together three legendary cars that represent five decades of sports car development. Many photos, sound recordings and documents show what they have in common and where the differences lie.
In 1935, Fiat presented the 1500 with a six-cylinder engine, a car with a sophisticated aerodynamic design that was several years ahead of its time. However, this did not deter buyers, and the four-door saloons even achieved brilliant results on the racetracks. Even today, the Berlina looks more modern than its vintage would suggest. This vehicle report portrays a Fiat 1500 from 1936, explains the technology and development history and also shows the car in historical photos.
In the post-war years, CarGem built twelve racing cars. The first was completed in 1946 and was based on the chassis of a 1937 Fiat 508 C. It took part in the Mille Miglia in 1947. This report briefly describes the history of the Fiat 508 C and its predecessors and then describes the CarGem variant in words and pictures. Illustrations of the Fiat 508 C base vehicle and two brochures round off the article.
Anyone who wanted a sports car after the Second World War usually had to build it themselves due to the lack of alternatives and the high prices of the few factory sports cars. The Bevilacqua brothers did the same and had a 1937 Fiat 1500 fitted with an elegant Ponton-Barchetta body in 1945. The car has survived and is an attractive contemporary witness. This report characterizes the Fiat 1500 saloon (16 HP) and shows its transformation into a sporty six-cylinder two-seater in many pictures.
The Fiat 1100 S was built 401 times as a competition coupé from 1947 to 1950. Three of the cars finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th overall in the 1948 Mille Miglia, beating the big names from Ferrari, Maserati and Cisitalia. The aerodynamic coupé was of course just the right car for the first Ennstal-Classic in 1993. This report looks back on the first Ennstal-Classic, shows Herbert Völkers' car in many pictures and reminds us of the beautiful stories surrounding this rare piece.
Hardly anyone would have bet in the 1930s that it would be possible to earn money with a small car and set a real mass motorization in motion. The Fiat 500 came onto the market in 1936 and was built as the 500 A and 500 B until 1949 with hardly any changes to the bodywork. Hundreds of thousands of them! Today, the early Topolino is a popular and much-loved classic car that makes passers-by smile. This report is about the early Fiat 500, built from 1936 to 1949, and shows the Topolino in current and historical pictures as well as in the sales literature of the time.
Between 1936 and 1955, Fiat built the 500 Topolino, a small car with a conventional front-engine and rear-wheel drive design, which sold over 500,000 units and became a bestseller. This report describes the impressions of a test drive with the 500C model, the third evolutionary stage, which was sold in 1949, and goes into the history and technology of the popular compact car.
Between 1937 and 1953, Fiat built the 1100 model with frame construction, which became a great commercial success and was also built under license as the Simca 8, among others. A robust four-cylinder engine and a modern aerodynamic shape allowed a long construction period. The Fiat was produced in a wide variety of versions, one of the rarest being the factory convertible, which had a partially independent shape and cost considerably more than its closed brothers. This vehicle article portrays a Fiat 1100 B Cabriolet from 1949 and shows it in many current and historical photographs, as well as in the sales literature.
The 1400 marked the beginning of chassis-free cars for Fiat. Chief designer Dante Giacosa came up with the idea back in the 1930s. With a little know-how from Chrysler and Budd, the idea then became reality in 1950. The design of the 1400 was also shaped by American influences, as can be seen from the wide rear window. Although the car was considered large at the time, the six-cylinder engine had to be dispensed with due to the Italian motor vehicle tax. This article describes the history of the Fiat 1400, explains the development of the model and points out special features. Over 80 historical photographs and examples from the sales literature of the time illustrate the beauty and design finesse of the car.
When Fiat presented the "8 V" (pronounced "Otto Vu" in Italian) at the Geneva Motor Show in 1952, it was a real sensation. The racing coupé featured outstanding aerodynamics, an eight-cylinder engine and innovative approaches to suspension design. This report briefly describes the design and history, but above all portrays one of the surviving vehicles and shows it in many pictures. The two original sales brochures and many historical photographs are also unique.
When the new Fiat 1100 was launched in 1953, it was ahead of the competition in many ways. Sporting talent and generous space made it a high-flyer. The Fiat did not lose its strengths even with the continuous model improvements, from which the family-friendly estate also benefited. This vehicle report tells the story of the model, over 1.8 million of which were produced and which, despite its importance, has almost been forgotten today.
The Swiss Robert Fehlmann commissioned a special vehicle from Ghia for the 1953 Mille Miglia. With Alfa technology and futuristic lines, it caused quite a stir. However, the car was destroyed in the race, but the design ideas inspired 13 offspring based on Fiat, Jaguar, Aston Martin, AC Cobra and DeSoto. They are called "Supersonic". In this report, the 13 Ghia Supersonic models are discussed and shown in many historical and current pictures.
Fourteen examples of the Fiat 8V Supersonic were built in 1953. The design was based on a one-off that had been built by Virgilio Conrero for the Swiss Robert Fehlmann for use in the 1953 Mille Miglia. One of the fourteen Fiat 8V Supersonic cars was restored a few years ago and shows the great beauty of the design. This report tells the story of the "Supersonic" and shows the second-to-last Fiat 8V Supersonic built from its most beautiful side.
When the Geneva Motor Show opened on March 20, 1952, visitors to Fiat's spacious stand were in for a sensation. In addition to the well-behaved family cars 1100, 1400 and 1900 and the much-loved Topolino 500 C, the fabulous-looking Fiat 8V was presented to the public for the first time, and actually quite unexpectedly. Only 114 cars were built between 1952 and 1962. The article revisits the history and technology, garnished with historical and current images.
In a country where family saloons are more beautiful than any foreign coupé and even vans need at least two camshafts, automotive engineering has always been committed to a certain aesthetic and speed. So it comes as no surprise that the first - and to this day only - turbine-powered car from Italy was a sports car that was as racy as it was extravagant. This article tells the story of the unique Turin rocket car and shows it in many historic pictures.
With the 600, Fiat unceremoniously created a new vehicle class. Although unceremoniously is probably the wrong term, because the Turin-based company worked hard to develop it. The result was a vehicle that combined performance and economy and was as sophisticated and well thought-out as few other cars at the time. This historical test report by Motor-Rundschau describes the qualities of the Italian.
"A lure for Italy's scooter and moped riders" was the subtitle of the 'hobby' magazine's first test of the Fiat 500, which took place before the official presentation of the Fiat 600's little brother. Predominantly positive points are mentioned in the test report, only minor details are quibbled about and the car is given a good chance on the market. This article reproduces the original wording of the test at the time and supplements it with historical images and the original brochure from the time.
The magazine 'hobby' was able to test drive one of the first new Fiat 600s in 1955 and explore it in normal road traffic. The impressions were very positive, especially with regard to the engine and comfort. No wonder the small family car was a success and was built until 1969. The original wording is reproduced in full in this restored report, the pictures have been supplemented with contemporary factory photographs and the sales brochure of a later year.
Around 50 years ago, five Fiat 1100/1200 S Barchetta with aluminum bodies were built in Italy, based on the sports car classics of the 1950s. Technically, they were based on the Fiat 1200 Spyder and its predecessor, the 1100 TV Transformabile. This report portrays one of the five well-known Fiat 1200 S Barchetta built in 1957, showing it in many pictures and its relatives in historical footage. The engine sound of the small sports car is a treat for the ears.
They were only good for nice weather and were barely tolerable on long journeys, but the Fiat 500 and 600 Jolly beach cars of the fifties and sixties were very popular with the top ten thousand. This report briefly describes the history of the small leisure vehicle and shows it in current and historical pictures. As a foretaste for next summer ....
From 1956 to 1965, Fiat built the 600 Multipla, a versatile van with saloon qualities. Although the early microvan remained a niche product, its practicality and the space it offered on a very small footprint are still impressive today. And not surprisingly, the Multipla achieves high market quotations and auction prices today. This report describes the history of the practical multi-purpose vehicle and shows the Multipla in many current and historical pictures and in the brochure from back then.
When Fiat presented the new 1800 and its bigger brother, the 2100, in 1959, many previous predictions did not come true. The car was not revolutionary, but it was elegant and technically outstanding. In any case, the 'hobby' tester gave it a good chance in the sporty saloon market. This report shows the carefully edited original text from 1959, supplemented by many archive pictures and even the original brochure from the time.
Fancy something other than an open-top Alfa Romeo? In the 1950s, Fiat offered a small sports convertible called the "Trasformabile", which is likely to cause a stir at many an Italian or classic car meeting today. The design was (presumably) by Fabio Luigi Rapi, who also gave the famous 8V "Otto VU" its timeless bodywork. This report tells the brief history of the Fiat 1200 TV Spyder and its close relative 1100 TV Trasformabile 2 Posti and shows it in many current and historical pictures, as well as in the sales brochure.
With the 1800, Fiat launched an absolute all-rounder in 1959. The elegant saloon masterfully combined comfort, space and appealing driving performance. The overall package was so convincing that the 1800 could almost be considered an "auto vitruviano". However, like any anthropogenic product, the Italian model student was not immune to flaws. This article reproduces an original test report from spring 1960 and shows the Fiat 1800 in extensive historical images and sales material.
Between 1956 and 1964, Carlo Abarth built racing-oriented coupés based on the technology of the Fiat 600, but equipped with an independent and attractive GT body. At that time, these coupés had to be beaten in their class in motor racing, which only a few succeeded in doing in the long term. This report briefly outlines the history of the Fiat-Abarth Zagato coupé and looks at the technology and one example in particular, which raced at Le Mans in 1960/1961 and at the Targa Florio in 1967, supplemented by archive photos from the time.
The chassis of passenger cars from the fifties provided a good basis for custom-built vehicles. The MEB, the Meister's own 1961 model, was based on a 1953 Fiat 1100, but where is it today? This short article tells the story of the MEB 1961, as far as it is known, illustrated with beautiful historical pictures.
The new Fiat mid-range was awaited with great interest in 1961. And the Fiat 1300/1500 did not disappoint, at least not the 'writer' of the magazine 'hobby'. He found hardly a fly in the ointment and praised the interior design, performance and driving characteristics. This article reproduces the original wording from 1961 and shows the Fiat 1300 and 1500 models in historical photos and in the original sales brochure of the time.
In 1961, the magazine 'hobby' "cross-examined" affordable sports cars. Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, Fiat 1500 Spider, MG A, MG A Twin Cam, Triumph TR 3, Porsche 1600 and 1600 S, as well as Sunbeam Alpine and Mercedes-Benz 190 SL were contrasted and compared. And the winner? Read for yourself! Let's just say that although the most expensive car was almost twice as expensive as the cheapest, the best sports car scored just under 3% better than the worst. This report edits the comparison test of the time and supplements it with many contemporary photos and sales brochures of the vehicles involved. To revel in!
Thanks to a "wanted ad" on Zwischengas, a prototype, built on a Fiat 1100 chassis, found its way back to the original owner family. The unique car will be completely restored over the next few years. This report portrays the barn find and tells the story up to the present day.
Between 1961 and 1967, the Siata company built an elegant, sporty coupé based on the Fiat 1300/1500 saloon. In some markets, the car was also offered by the German NSU-Fiat. The design of the coupé, of which several thousand were produced, was by Giovanni Michelotti, with 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 liter engines being used. This report portrays a Siata Fiat 1300 Coupé 2+2 from 1962 and tells the story of the pretty small-series vehicle, supplemented by sales literature, historical illustrations and a sound sample.
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.
While the competitors in the mid-range only offered mundane four-cylinder engines, Fiat offered its customers a smooth six-cylinder with the 1800 B. The 1.8-liter engine was refined, quiet and easy to rev. Only its own temperament could quickly become the six-cylinder's undoing. This article reproduces a test report from the Motor-Runschau of 1962 and reveals what the testers scribbled on the clipboard at the time.
With the Jagst 770 Riviera, Neckar-Automobilwerke offered a lot of style for little money. Although the small coupé based on the Fiat 600 was not exactly fast or particularly practical, it was all the more elegant for it. You could also put a "genuine" Vignale, i.e. one built by the master himself, in your garage for little money. This report reproduces the wording of the 'hobby' test, describes the strengths and weaknesses of the little beauty and shows it in historical photos.
At the end of 1962, the magazine 'hobby' carried out a major comparative test with eleven saloons from Germany, France, England and Italy. In a tough competition, hot-blooded family sports cars had to be compared with utility saloons designed for comfort. The fact that a German representative won was not a matter of course, as places 2 to 4 went to "foreign countries". This article reproduces the original wording of the report at the time and shows all eleven sedans compared in many archive photos.
With the Fiat-Abarth 850 TC, Carlo Abarth created an almost unbeatable weapon in touring car racing, as evidenced by countless championship titles and hundreds of victories. With the compact sports car, you could take the whole family on vacation and excel at hill climbs or on the circuit at the weekend, regardless of whether you had bought the car ready-built from the factory or built it yourself with Abarth conversion kits based on the Fiat 600/600D. This report shows a Fiat-Abarth 850 TC "Nürburgring" from 1963 and goes into the history of this lively little car, supplemented by sales brochures and sound samples.
DKW vs. Fiat vs. VW - this is the title of the third hobby super test. The third edition of this popular test series chases the aforementioned vehicles with the maximum permissible load weight over a total of 25 mountain passes. Of course, crazy experiments, as they can only come from the hobby testers, are not missing here either... A subsequent dissection of the vehicles and a comprehensive evaluation are of course also included.
The Fiat 1500 was not cheaper than its German and French competitors at the time. However, as Turin supplied expensive extras such as front disc brakes as standard and gave the pretty car a good dose of temperament, the Italian was ahead of its competitors in many respects. This original test report from 1963, illustrated with many historical photos, explains how the Fiat defied common prejudices and what the idiosyncratic chassis was all about.
The Fiat 1500 L was not a new model as such, but was the enlarged version of the Fiat 1500. The size and price were aimed at families and their budgets. For a relatively fair price, it offered a high level of comfort and safety. In the summer of 1963, the magazine 'hobby' wanted to find out whether the Fiat 1500 L was also convincing in everyday use. This report reproduces the original wording of the test report from that time and shows the Fiat 1500 L in many photos and in the original brochure.
The predominant car on the roads of Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the early 1960s was the Volkswagen Beetle. Over the years, the Wolfsburg-based company had perfected it and made it better and more reliable step by step. However, a circle of competitors formed around Wolfsburg that were superior to the Beetle in terms of comfort, space, driving performance and economy ... and still lost out in the local market. This report characterizes the generation of thousands using the examples of the Austin Mini Cooper, DKW F12, Fiat 850, Ford Anglia, Morris 1100, Opel Kadett, Panhard PL17, Renault R8 and Simca 1000. The article is illustrated with over 120 archive photos and over a dozen original sales brochures.
The Fiat 1100-103 was manufactured and sold in Germany as the NSU-Fiat Europa, benefiting from the long production period of the original. A mature car, therefore, as confirmed by the test in the magazine 'hobby', which, with the exception of the pricing, had almost only positive aspects to report. This article reproduces the original wording of the test at the time and shows the car and its corporate brother in historical illustrations and in the sales brochure of the time.
The Fiat 1600 S Cabriolet is the final evolutionary stage of the open-top Fiat 1200 presented in 1959, on which three different "hot" variants with the twin-camshaft engine adopted from Osca were based. Initially with 1.5 and later with 1.6 liter displacement, the small sports convertibles excelled with competitive driving performance and good manners. This report summarizes the history of the Fiat 1200/1500 Cabriolet and portrays a Fiat 1600 S in detail, including archive photos, brochures and sound samples.
More than any Fiat before or after it, the 2300 S Coupé had the appearance of a small Ferrari. The car was fast, dignified and safe to drive - and despite its dainty shape, it occasionally required a firm hand. The test driver of the time was full of praise and only criticized minor things about the 20,900 Mark car. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report from September 1964, illustrated with lots of historical pictures and a sales brochure.
The combination of a large engine and small body made for a whole series of lively sports saloons in the mid-sixties. With the 1500 L, Fiat took the opposite approach and created a spacious car for drivers without much forward thrust. However, since the heart was still Italian, the sedan's temperament could sometimes run away with it. This historical test report analyzes the Fiat 1500 L and its target group.
For a completely new car, the Fiat 850 contained shockingly few innovations. On the contrary: it stuck to the technical concept of its predecessor, which had only been modernized in a few respects. However, with its free-revving four-cylinder engine and fiery 37 hp at the rear, it not only drove away from its competitors, but also poached in the territory of the one-liter class. It almost goes without saying that so much power at such a competitive price meant that savings had to be made elsewhere, as this historical test report shows.
The Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, the "dream car" of the sixties from Germany, is pitted against the exotic from Italy, the Fiat 2300 S Coupé. "What does a touring sports car have to offer?" asked the magazine 'hobby' and measured the two incomparables against each other. And the result was far less clear-cut than some fans of one brand or the other might think. This comparative test report reproduces the original wording from 1964 and supplements the pictures from that time with extensive archive material.
Between 1961 and 1966, Fiat built over 600,000 type 1300/1500 vehicles, a small number of which were delivered as station wagons (Familiare). And a very small number were converted into hearses by the Pilato company. At least one of these special vehicles has survived, reason enough to experience it in the driver's seat! This vehicle report describes the history of the Fiat 1300/1500 and portrays a hearse version from 1965 in detail, supplemented by archive material and even a sound sample.
It was nimble, economical, spacious and safe to drive - there really wasn't much to criticize about the revised Fiat 1500. With an extended wheelbase and hardened crankshaft, it made up for the two biggest weaknesses of its predecessor. The negative aspects of the Italian were limited to minor details and the stubborn steering wheel gearshift, for which there was an alternative, at least in Germany. This article provides a historical test report and makes it clear how well the Fiat 1500 was received at its debut.
Everything about the Fiat 850 was just right: engine, gearbox, space, fuel consumption and driving performance. Only the weight distribution was not exactly ideal, which could occasionally even cause a scare on a straight stretch of road, as can be seen in this historical test report.
Those who could afford it were well advised to buy a Fiat 500 for the city bustle in addition to their "normal" car. Nimble, spacious and safe to drive, the tiny car made the most of the limitations imposed on it by its design. Measured against its size, the little Fiat was actually a really big car - a (historical) driving report.
In the early 1960s, the Italian coachbuilder Ghia offered a beautiful coupé based on the Fiat 1500. The idiosyncratic 1500 GT was called the Gran Turismo, which was eventually produced in several hundred units but is as rare today as the rarest Ferrari or Lamborghini. This report tells the story of the Ghia 1500 GT and portrays an example from 1965, supplemented by extensive historical images.
In 1965, Fiat presented the latest version of the Fiat 500 small car. hobby' magazine took a look at the slightly more powerful four-seater and wanted to know whether such a car was a suitable replacement for the big car. This report reproduces the wording of the test at the time and shows the Fiat 500 in many historical pictures, including some revealing crash tests.
The Abarth 1300 OT was built in around 50 units between 1965 and 1966 and dominated Division 1 of the GT World Championship in 1966 and 1967. Beneath the attractive fiberglass body, designed by Mario Colucci, are a Simca 1000 box-section frame, Fiat 850 suspension components and the twin-camshaft engine from Abarth. This article goes into the history of the 1300 Omologato Turismo and shows a vehicle from 1966 in detail, both visually and tonally, as well as on historical photo material and in the original sales brochure.
A sports coupé with the elegance of a Ferrari, an in-line six-cylinder engine and space for four people, not just for the highest earners? The air was thin at the beginning of the sixties. But that's exactly what the Fiat 2300 S Coupé offered. No wonder customers ordered like crazy and could hardly wait for their new darling to arrive. Delivery times of over a year were no exception. This article goes into the history of the pretty Ghia coupé and describes the impressions that you get when you drive one of these rare coupés today. The report is rounded off with many current and historical photos, two original brochures for the Coupé and the super-rare Ghia Cabriolet, as well as a sample of the characteristic engine noise.
With the 124, Fiat presented a car that was at the lower end of the mid-size class in terms of engine capacity, but whose engine power, spaciousness and possible driving performance were far higher. Four doors, a powerful engine, plenty of space and excellent roadholding were offered at an unusually attractive price. This test report explains whether the Fiat 124 had to fight for its market share in Germany in 1966.
Exterior beauty is often intended to disguise the fact that the inner values are not so good. Not so with the Fiat 850 Coupé. The sporty hatchback not only looked significantly faster than the saloon, it was also able to deliver on this visual promise with 47 instead of 34 hp. But that wasn't the only way the little coupé won the hearts of the female (and male) members of the AI editorial team, as this historical test report explains.
Between 1965 and 1967, almost five dozen Ghia 450 SS were built, which received the technology from the Plymouth Barracuda S, but the rest from Carrozzeria Ghia. The design came from the Sartorelli/Giugaro team, but the idea for the car came from the American Burt Sugarman, who later became a film and TV producer. This report tells the story of the unusual convertible and shows it in current and historical pictures.
The Fiat 124 Sport Spider immediately captured the hearts of sports drivers all over the world. Even the test editor of the magazine "hobby" could not resist the charm of the elegant sports car from Italy. Our report contains the original wording of the hobby test from 1967 and is supplemented with the photos published at the time and additional historical photographs.
Hardly any other car combines racing car genes, design elegance and granturismo qualities as perfectly as a Fiat Dino Spider. It was built from 1966 to 1973, first as a two-liter and later as a 2.4-liter version. Almost 1,600 Spiders were sold, and today they are coveted classics. This report describes the history of the Fiat Dino Spider and portrays an example from 1968, supplemented by many archive images, the sales brochure and press documents.
It resembles a shrunken (Ferrari) Dino, but is unknown to most people. Yet the Moretti 850 Sportiva, also known as the Fiat-Moretti 850 Special, offered many attractions for comparatively little money at the time, not least thanks to the favorable Fiat 850 mechanics. This driving report shows one of the rare Morettis together with pictures from the time and an original brochure.
Hobby tested the performance-enhanced Fiat 850 Sport with the increased cubic capacity of 903 cm3. The enthusiasm was great, especially because the price had remained practically the same. The restored photo report from 1968 summarizes the impressions and test results.
In 1966, Fiat presented the 124 Sport Spider at the Turin Motor Show. The design came from Pininfarina/Tjaarda, the technology from the 124 saloon. The package turned out to be a hit, as the convertible was built until 1985 and around 200,000 units were sold. This vehicle report portrays an early 1.4-liter version from 1969 and describes the history of the beautiful Spider in words and pictures.
Between 1966 and 1971, Abarth produced the 124/1300 model, which combined the coupé body of the Fiat 850 with the engine of the 124 saloon. With 75 hp, the compact car offered very competitive driving performance, but this was also reflected in a self-confident price. This report portrays a Fiat-Abarth 124/1300 Series 2 and shows the various models in historical photographs.
In a good 20 years, Carlo Abarth built over 200 different types of car and his vehicles won over 7000 races. Reason enough to compare two of his successful models with a modern successor. A 595 essesse, a 1000 TCR (Berlina Corsa) and a 695 biposto competed against each other on the race track. This vehicle report describes the characteristics of the three vehicles and shows them in current and historical images, as well as in brochures.
Between 1967 and 1975, Fiat built the 124 Sport Coupé, which combined sportiness, comfort and family-friendly space with an elegant design like almost no other competitor. Its success proved the Turin-based car manufacturer right, as the coupé, which was designed internally at Fiat, sold considerably better than the Spider from Pininfarina, which was produced at the same time. Today, however, the Coupé is rarely seen, while the Cabriolet has become a popular classic. This report describes the development history of the Fiat 124 Sport Coupé, provides driving impressions and shows the car in current and historical images, supplemented by an original sales brochure.
Fiat built the 500 model for 20 years and the former entry-level car has become one of the most popular classic cars of all time. However, its success was not guaranteed, as Fiat took some risks when building it and buyers soon preferred larger and faster vehicles. But the Fiat 500 remained true to itself and gained (many) new fans. To this day. This driving report describes the history of the Fiat 500 Nuova and shows it in historical and current pictures, as well as in the sales brochure from back then.
At the end of the sixties, the Ford Capri was the family coupé to beat. Fiat competed against it with the 124 Coupé, but even with the most powerful variant it had to overcome a deficit in cylinders and displacement. In practice, however, two fewer cylinders and a 700 cm3 smaller displacement had much less of an impact than expected. Thanks to its modern design, the Fiat was also aimed at real sports car fans. This faithful reproduction of the historical test report in the magazine 'hobby' compares the Ford Capri 2300 XLR and Fiat 124 Coupé 1600 in their most powerful variants, supplemented by plenty of historical images.
Suppose you have You have 7000 marks in the bank and a soft spot in your heart for coupés, how can you combine the one with the other? Well, with 7000 Marks you are a coupé candidate who is by no means spared the agony of choice! How would you like it? Sporty, automatic, family-friendly, rally-like? You can have it all in the variants we want to present here... However, in the selection of Fiat 850 Coupé, DAF 55 Coupé, Opel Rallye Kadett and Ford Capri tested, the elegant and sporty Capri comes out on top. The details can be found in the comparison test from 1969.
This hobby Super Test is an exception. For the first time, the jury that tests and then evaluates the vehicles consists not only of specialist journalists and experts, but also of hobby magazine readers! Together with specialist journalists, they test the NSU 1200 C, Simca 1100 and Fiat 128 models in various tasks. Braking tests, climbing extreme inclines and, of course, a subsequent evaluation of the vehicles are not to be missed!
The Fiat 128 was launched on the West German market in the fall of 1969 as a half-finished clunker. Gross manufacturing defects and glaring technical weaknesses quickly ruined the reputation of the small saloon that had been so hopefully anticipated. Fiat quickly made improvements. How did the "disappointment of the year" of 1969 fare around six months later? This historical test report reveals the answer.
A semi-automatic was also worth considering for spirited drivers in spirited cars. After initial doubts based on experience with other automatic clutches, the Fiat 125 Idroconvert knew how to surprise with easy operation, precise guidance and fast gear changes. This historical test report explains why the Fiat semi-automatic was one of the best of its kind.
The Fiat 850 Spider was one of the most successful sports cars of its era. It was built by Bertone and this offered opportunities for special versions. One of these was the Bertone Racer Berlinetta, basically a Spider with a fixed tin roof. This was particularly popular in the USA, but also made many friends in Germany. However, only a few have survived. This driving report describes the development history of the Bertone Racer and shows it in historical and current pictures.
For most people, the VW Beetle is the Volkswagen par excellence, in every sense of the word. A car for the people, a people's car. And the Beetle was indeed an above-average success. But before it, Ford's Model T had already passed the 15 million mark, and in modern times the Toyota Corolla, VW Golf and Ford's F-series even managed to reach over 30 million, although they were not the only people's cars to do so. This report looks back at some selected production successes in car history and shows them in 200 pictures. A feast for the eyes!
Fiat hit the bull's eye with the Fiat 850 Coupé presented in 1965. Almost 350,000 of these small and compact sports coupés were sold at attractive prices. The combination of mass-produced components and pleasing Italian styling appealed. The car had hardly any real weaknesses, but many strengths. This report goes into the history and technology of the Fiat coupé, describes driving experiences and is illustrated with many photos, the original brochure, technical data and a sound sample.
When the Fiat X 1/9 appeared at the end of 1972, it was by far the most affordable mid-engined sports car on the market. Despite its low price, it drove like a "big car", looked like a concept car and impressed with its torque and excellent driving characteristics. This article tells the story of the development of the mid-engined Fiat and describes the impressions of a journalist who attended the press presentation in Sicily in the fall of 1972.
2550 Fiat Dino 2400 Coupés were built between 1969 and 1973, captivating with a V6 engine inspired by racing car technology and an elegant yet practical body with a tasteful interior. To get the maximum enjoyment out of his coupé, one owner invested in a complete restoration that took two years and left hardly a part untouched. This report tells the brief history of the Fiat Dino Coupé and goes into many details of the restoration in the photo gallery.
Around 40 years ago, the World Rally Championship was contested with special Gran Turismo sports cars in the style of an Alpine-Renault, Lancia Fulvia or Fiat 124 Abarth. Those who wanted to be at the front of the field ensured the best possible conditions with a small series of at least 500 units. In those years, Fiat had acquired a taste for rallying and commissioned the newly acquired Abarth racing car manufacturer to upgrade the Fiat 124 Spider into a rally-winning vehicle. The result was the road-going version of the Fiat 124 Abarth Rally, an evolutionary vehicle with sporty characteristics. Around four decades later, Fiat once again presented an Abarth 124 Spider. This report will show whether the new model has anything in common with its rally ancestor.
A good DM 11,000 was enough to buy a Fiat X 1/9 in 1973, while almost DM 14,000 was needed to purchase the VW-Porsche 914/4 1.8. Both were real sports cars, and in terms of design they stood out clearly from the everyday pulp of the time. However, despite the price difference, there was no clear winner in the comparison test, rather the desire for the ideal mix.
Gone were the days in the seventies when hardly anyone drove small cars, because in the age of parking space shortages and second cars, short, agile cars with as little superfluous sheet metal as possible were in demand like never before. Especially if they were also a bit sporty. The four candidates in the 1974 comparison test - Fiat 128 Rally, Simca 1000 Rallye 2, Autobianchi A 112 Abarth and Mini 1275 GT - had to prove themselves both in everyday traffic and on the Hockenheimring.
In 1971, Fiat presented the new 128 Coupé, intended for everyday use and the not-too-large family, as a competitor to the Ford Capri, the Opel Manta and the Renault 15/17. The significantly larger successor to the 850 Coupé benefited from the modern technology of the 128 saloon, which had already been presented in 1969, and managed to establish itself on the market and with buyers thanks to its low prices and excellent driving performance. Today, the early coupés with a hip swing and no tailgate have become particularly rare, but this report portrays an early example with less than 20,000 km on the clock that looks almost like it did on day one. And of course you can hear it too.
With the Fiat 130 and the Opel Admiral, two limousines for the executive floor appeared in 1969. Both models have since become rarities, but when they are reunited, they reveal unexpected qualities, as this comparison drive shows. This article shows the two luxury limousines in many pictures and tells their story
Just over 1000 examples of the Fiat Abarth 124 Rallye were built between 1972 and 1974 and they actually served only one purpose, namely to enable Fiat to win rallies. It was only marginally successful in this, but as a "waste product", so to speak, an attractive road version was created for anyone who could afford a car costing around 20,000 francs/mark at the time. This report describes the history of the Fiat Abarth 124 Rally and shows it in historical and current pictures. There is also a sound sample.
In 1972, Fiat presented the X 1/9, which was to replace the 850 Sportspider as a mid-engined sports car. Compact and with a Targa body, the wedge-shaped car was intended to cause a sensation, especially on the American market. Auto Revue tested the car in 1973 and was very impressed by the little speedster. This article reproduces the original wording of the test at the time, supplemented by historical photo material and the original brochure.
From 1971 to 1977, Fiat built the 130 Coupé, parallel to the previously introduced 130 saloon. Pininfarina and its designers Paolo Martin and Leonardo Fioravanti had created a straightforward and elegant luxury coupé that made the most of the saloon's advanced mechanics. Despite this, sales remained modest and even today the beautiful coupés are still available at reasonable prices. This report describes the genesis of the beautiful coupé, describes driving impressions and shows it in 70 pictures and in the sales brochure. You can even hear the car!
In 1974, the magazine 'hobby' compared the three affordable mid-engined sports cars Fiat X 1/9, Matra-Simca Bagheera and VW-Porsche 914 2.0 over 4,000 km. They were measured and felt, looked at and listened to. Many a flaw came to light and the qualities of the individual concepts became clear. This report edits the wording of the article at the time and supplements the illustrations with archive pictures of the three vehicles, as well as a whole series of sales documents.
In 1969, Fiat presented an innovative successor to the Fiat 1100. The Fiat 128 had a transverse front engine that drove the front wheels. And this engine was a bravura piece, with a modern design and incredibly high revs. As early as 1971, the 1.1-liter was followed by a 1.3-liter; as the Fiat 128 rallye, the conservatively styled sedan now produced 67 hp and ran at over 150 km/h. This meant that more expensive sports cars could be blown away. This driving report describes the history of the Fiat 128, describes the "rally" version and shows historical and current pictures, including sound samples.
In the winter of 1974/1975, the magazine 'hobby' compared eight compact cars from five countries in a meticulous test that required driving on the Nordschleife and the participation of eight test drivers: the Audi 50 competed against the Citroën Ami Super, Datsun Cherry, Fiat 127, Innocenti Mini, Peugeot 104, Renault 5 and Simca 1000 GLE and won hands down. The Datsun Cherry came second, but this was not the only surprise in the extensive comparison test. This article re-edits the findings of that time, showing the results in detail and the vehicles in many archive photos from back then.
Gianni Agnelli liked something special, but liked to drive cars that didn't stand out too much. The Fiat 130 Famliare fitted perfectly into the concept, especially as it was ideal for transporting skis and accessories in St. Moritz. Only three (or four?) examples were built, all of which were different. This article tells the story of the Fiat 130 Familiare and shows it together with the series base in current and historical images.
Under the modernized bodywork of the Fiat 133 from Spanish Seat production, a good old acquaintance reappeared, namely the Fiat 850 from 1964. The 133 appearance did not appear stylistically outdated, even though the mechanics had already been built for more than a decade. This report explains how the car, which was practically unrivaled in the 6000 DM class, fared in the 1975 test.
The new 131 with the nickname Mirafiori - named after its main plant in Turin - marked a turning point for Fiat in several respects: an emphatically functional shape, low maintenance requirements thanks to relatively simple technology, special emphasis on a durable and impact-resistant body. This test report from 1975 explains what characterized the 131 with the 1300/55 hp or 1600/75 hp engine variant and basic or special equipment.
Five mid-range coupés from four countries were compared by the magazine 'hobby' in 1975: Toyota Celica, Ford Capri II, Renault R15, Fiat 128 SL and VW Scirocco. And the question was whether the beauty of the cars would win out over their reduced utility value. This carefully edited original comparison test from 1975 reproduces the text and findings and is illustrated with many additional archive images.
The Berlinetta was Fiat's second attempt to turn the 128 front-wheel drive saloon into an appealing sports model. The attempt - after bodywork tweaks and conversion into an estate coupé - was largely successful. The result was a car with an appealing design that was safe to drive, economical and well equipped for the price. The test report from 1975 summarizes its strengths and weaknesses.
In 1980, Walter Röhrl won the World Rally Championship with the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally, and Fiat won three times in the one-make world championship with the car. The Fiat 131 Mirafiori was by no means born to win rallies. However, this changed with the evolution version 131 Abarth Rally 1976, which was built 400 times. Around 350 of these were "Stradale" versions, one of which was portrayed for this driving report. Many historical photos and illustrations complete the article.
The Fiat 132 actually had all the ingredients for great success, e.g. a twin-camshaft engine, safe driving characteristics and generous space. Nevertheless, the model is almost extinct today. Why is that? This vehicle report tells the story of the Fiat 132 and its successors.
In 1975, Fiat replaced the 128 Coupé launched in 1971 with the three-door 128 Berlinetta, a much smoother vehicle with more utility and roughly the same performance data. The car was well received, but was still only built for around four years, which is why the number of cars in existence today is relatively small. With its classic and elegant appearance, it is now a welcome guest at car meetings and rallies. This driving report looks at the characteristics of the Fiat Coupé, compares it with its predecessor and shows it in many pictures.
At the end of 1972, Fiat presented a new sports car called the X 1/9, which was clearly different from the competition: it had two seats, a wedge shape and a mid-engine. And it was considerably cheaper than it looked. No wonder it became the dream of many young and young-at-heart. This did not change when it was given a more powerful engine and stronger bumpers after seven years. It was built for almost 18 years. It is still attractive today. This driving report tells the story of the Fiat X 1/9, showing it in current and historical pictures as well as in the sales brochure from back then. And of course you can also hear it.
"The great box" is what the German marketing specialists called the Fiat Panda. And they were probably closer to the truth than the Fiat managers, who, in a departure from the previous naming system based purely on numbers, named it after a bear. However, the appearance of the car was clearly reminiscent of a box or crate.
In the spring of 1978, Fiat launched the Ritmo as the spearhead of a comprehensive renewal of the car range, which had to hold its own in an already well-stocked competitive environment with the VW Golf, Opel Kadett, Simca Horizon and Renault 14. An individual appearance and a well thought-out design were to make this possible. Did they succeed? This article portrays an early Fiat Ritmo 75 CL, tells the model history and shows the car in historical and current pictures. The sales brochure and sound samples are also included.
When the Fiat 127 Sport 75 HP appeared in the fall of 1982, it was already an eleven-year-old discontinued model. But the Fiat 127 had never been better: faster, wilder and more entertaining than ever before, the 75 hp compact was able to skilfully disguise its age. After a ride on the little cannonball, it's not the Fiat, but the driver who has it in the back. This driving report presents the hottest of all 127s and shows it in many photos.
In 1983, Fiat presented the Uno, a pretty and not overly complicated compact car. In 1984, the speedster, which was available as a three- and five-door model, was voted "Car of the Year". Just how right the Fiat engineers were is shown by the fact that almost nine million Uno cars were built. This historical technical report analyzes the design of the Fiat Uno, supplemented by many illustrations.
After the open-top VW Golf had established the genre of the compact bow-top convertible in 1979, the European competition gradually began to cut the roof off their hatchback saloons as well. One of the first to enter the ring against the open-top Wolfsburg exile was the Fiat Ritmo Cabriolet from 1981, which was not officially called that at all and also did not roll off the production line with its closed brothers. This article sheds light on the development of the Ritmo offshoot built by Bertone and shows a fine "Palinuro" from 1985 in many photos as well as other models on historical material.
When the Fiat 124 Sport Spider returned to Europe in 1982 under a false name, it was unrecognizable at first glance. But those who could look past the exterior soon realized that not so much had changed between the thick bumpers. At a time when reason increasingly ruled in automotive engineering, it was nice that it still existed at all. As the Pininfarina Spidereuropa, it was one of the last representatives of the classic two-seater sports convertible.
In 1995, Fiat applied a tried and tested recipe and (once again) designed a small, open-top sports car. The result was the Barchetta, a lively spider with a name steeped in history, affordable to buy and with manageable maintenance costs. Even today, it can still score points with these qualities, which is why it is considered the ideal entry into the world of Italian sports cars. This article tells the story of the little Fiat and shows it in modern and historical pictures.
Some described the design of the Fiat Coupé as attractive, others called it bizarre; in any case, Chris Bangle's design was received controversially. All in all, however, the unusual two-door car had many convincing qualities and is still popular and sought-after as a classic car today. This driving report focuses on the weaker two-liter four-cylinder version and shows the coupé in current and historical photographs as well as in the sales and press literature of the time.
In 1995, the Fiat Barchetta appeared as an MX-5 competitor and an affordable entry-level convertible. Almost 30 years later, the Fiat is already a classic, which makes a comparison with its actual ancestor, the Fiat 850 Spider, all the more interesting. This driving report takes a closer look at the differences between the two Fiat models and shows both in many pictures.
Fiat is said to have been asked at the time whether they really wanted to build this car like this. That's how controversial the styling was discussed. But Fiat showed courage and today the Multipla is certainly one of the coolest "people movers" ever. We took it for a test drive and tell its story ...
Current market prices for Fiat
null, 16 PS, 570 cm3
Convertible Sedan, 16 PS, 570 cm3
null, 16 PS, 569 cm3
Convertible Sedan, 16 PS, 569 cm3
null, 16 PS, 569 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 13 PS, 499 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 21 PS, 479 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 17 PS, 499 cm3
null, 17 PS, 500 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 21 PS, 499 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 21 PS, 499 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 17 PS, 594 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 21 PS, 633 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 28 PS, 767 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 28 PS, 767 cm3
Minivan, 21 PS, 633 cm3
Minivan, 28 PS, 767 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of Fiat
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500C 1955 Sold H&H Classics Duxford Sale (October 16, 2013) |
500C | 1955 | Sold | H&H Classics Duxford Sale (October 16, 2013) | |
| Fiat Barchetta 2000 Sold RM/Sotheby's Open Roads, European Summer (July 14, 2020) |
Barchetta | 2000 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Open Roads, European Summer (July 14, 2020) | |
| Fiat 1500 Coupé by Vignale 1964 Sold RM/Sotheby's St. Moritz (September 15, 2023) |
1500 Coupé by Vignale | 1964 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's St. Moritz (September 15, 2023) | |
| FIAT 600D 1964 Not Sold ACA Kings Lynn (January 23, 2016) |
600D | 1964 | Not Sold | ACA Kings Lynn (January 23, 2016) | |
| Fiat Dino 2400 Spider (Hardtop) 1970 Sold Bonhams Les Grandes Marques à Monaco (May 11, 2018) |
Dino 2400 Spider (Hardtop) | 1970 | Sold | Bonhams Les Grandes Marques à Monaco (May 11, 2018) | |
| Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye Groupe 4 ex-usine 1975 Sold Bonhams Grand Palais Paris (February 8, 2018) |
124 Abarth Rallye Groupe 4 ex-usine | 1975 | Sold | Bonhams Grand Palais Paris (February 8, 2018) | |
| Fiat 1200 Wonderful Coupe by Vignale 1958 Sold RM/Sotheby's Shift Monterey (August 14, 2020) |
1200 Wonderful Coupe by Vignale | 1958 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Shift Monterey (August 14, 2020) | |
| Fiat 500D 'Trasformabile' 1962 Sold Bonhams Zoute (October 9, 2022) |
500D 'Trasformabile' | 1962 | Sold | Bonhams Zoute (October 9, 2022) | |
| Cap-FIAT 500 Scoiattolo 1971 Sold Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais (February 9, 2017) |
500 Scoiattolo | 1971 | Sold | Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais (February 9, 2017) | |
| Fiat 500 D 1963 Sold Silverstone Auctions The May Sale 2014 (May 24, 2014) |
500 D | 1963 | Sold | Silverstone Auctions The May Sale 2014 (May 24, 2014) |
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