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Fiat 1800 and 2100

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Fiat 1800/2100/1500L
1959 Fiat 2100 Berlina
Overview
ManufacturerFiat
Production1959–1968 (Italy)
1960–1962 (Yugoslavia)
DesignerDante Giacosa
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car
Body style4-door saloon
5-door estate
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
RelatedSEAT 1500
Powertrain
Engine
  • petrol:
  • 1500L: 1.5 L I4
  • 1800: 1.8 L I6
  • 2100: 2.1 L I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,650 mm (104.3 in)
2,730 mm (107.5 in) (Speciale)
Length4,465 mm (175.8 in)
4,750 mm (187.0 in) (Speciale)
Width1,620 mm (63.8 in)
Height1,470 mm (57.9 in)
Kerb weight1,250–1,350 kg (2,756–2,976 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFiat 1900
SuccessorFiat 2300

The Fiat 1800 and 2100 are six-cylinder automobiles produced by Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1959 and 1968. Both models were introduced in 1959. A four-cylinder 1500-cc version, the 1500L, was added to the range in 1963, when the 2100 was replaced by the larger engined 2300. The 1800/2100 were designed by Fiat's own Dante Giacosa.[1]

Fiat 1800 (1959–1968)

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1964 Fiat 1800 B

The Fiat 1800 was introduced as a four-door sedan at the 1959 Geneva Salon. A few months later, the five-door Familiare (Station Wagon) was added to the lineup, one of a very limited number of factory offerings in this class in Europe at the time. The 1800 model had a six-cylinder in-line engine of 1795 cc and a power output of 75 hp (55 kW; 74 bhp) delivered through a 4-speed manual transmission. Its maximum speed was, depending on the version, 137–142 km/h (85–88 mph). This version was replaced in 1961 with the 1800 model B: the engine output was now 86 hp (63 kW; 85 bhp), delivering a top speed of 143 km/h (89 mph) or 146 km/h (91 mph). The 1800 B also benefitted from disc brakes on all four wheels, replacing the four brake drums. Further, an automatic clutch became available.[2]: 362 

Fiat 2100 (1959–1961)

[edit]

The 2100 was a version with a bigger 2054 cc six-cylinder engine. Bore and stroke are 77.0 mm × 73.5 mm (3.03 in × 2.89 in). In autumn 1959, the 2100 Speciale was introduced with a lengthened wheelbase and different front grille. The Speciale was typically used by diplomats and for other representational purposes. Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi built a longer stretched version, but this could seat seven and was mainly intended for taxi use, although a limousine version called "President" was also available, mainly purchased by the Italian and Vatican states.

The 2100 was discontinued in Italy during 1961, when the Fiat 2300 became available.

  • Fiat 2100 Speciale
    Fiat 2100 Speciale
  • Fiat 2100 Familiare, one of the rare estates
    Fiat 2100 Familiare, one of the rare estates

Fiat 1500L (1963–1968)

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Fiat 1500L

In 1963 Fiat used the body of Fiat 1800/2100 to create a new, less expensive model, the Fiat 1500L. To distinguish it from the 1300/1500 it used the designation 1500L (for 'Lunga, "long"). The car shared its more compact sibling's four-cylinder 1481 cc engine, delivering 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp), which was increased to 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) in 1964 for the second series. The interior of the 1500L was also simplified in comparison with the six-cylinder versions.

A reduced-performance version was already offered earlier (in 1962), aimed at taxi drivers.[2]: 378  This proved popular in southern Europe, equipped with a version of the 1481 cc petrol inline-four engine developing just 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp): the low power engine permitted the transport of customers in comfort and space at urban speeds, without consuming too much fuel.

This 1500L version was produced also by SEAT in Spain, where no other petrol version of the Fiat 1800/2100 was ever on offer. It was badged simply SEAT 1500, since no equivalent of the smaller Fiat 1500 was produced by SEAT. Nearly 200,000 Seat 1500s were built until 1972.

It is estimated that total production in Italy of the Fiat 1800/2100 range is 150,000.


Derivatives

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1959 Abarth Fiat 2200 Coupé by Allemano

Abarth also proposed a sportier, 2+2 car based on the 2100. He discussed his plan with Fiat's Vice President Gaudenzio Bono in 1959 and it was arranged to supply Abarth with bare 2100 chassis and drivetrains. The chassis was strengthened and shortened, now on a 2,450 mm (96 in) wheelbase, and was fitted with a bored out and tuned engine with an Abarth exhaust system and Dunlop disc brakes on all four wheels. The bodywork was designed by Giovanni Michelotti and executed by Allemano. The Abarth 2200 was available as a two-door coupé or convertible and was introduced at the Turin Auto Show in October–November 1959.[3] The bore was increased to 79.0 mm (3.11 in), which gave a displacement of 2162 cc. Along with an increased compression ratio and triple Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, maximum power increased to 135 hp (99 kW) at 6000 rpm, making for top speeds of 197 and 186 km/h (122 and 116 mph) for the Coupé and Spider respectively.[3] Unlike Fiat's column-shifted original, the Abarth 2200 had the shifter relocated to the floor.[4] As originally presented, the Spider was given a different front end treatment of a rectilinear nature, with twin headlights mounted at an angle. This rather awkward looking arrangement was shortlived; during 1960 Abarth changed it to a single-headlight design similar to that of the Coupé.[5]

The 2200 was fully handbuilt and changes were introduced continuously throughout the production run. The very first coupés are pillarless, unlike cars built after December 1959 which received filigrane B-pillars. Subtle changes took place at the front, while side marker lights were added, and grilles and bumpers were altered several times. Always expensive and from a brand best known for tiny racing machines, the 2200 was only ever built to order and in very small numbers, probably 28 examples.[6] Of these, three examples were built with right-hand drive (two Coupés and one Spider) and delivered in the United Kingdom by Abarth's local concessionaire Tony Crook.[7] At Turin in November 1960 and again at Geneva in March 1961, an updated design by Ezio Ellena [de; nl] was shown. The Ellena design eschewed rear quarter glass in favor of longer doors and a wraparound rear windshield.[5][7] At the front, a rectangular grille with rounded corners housed two additional driving lights.[8]

In spite of the minuscule sales, Abarth updated their model at Turin 1961 after the 2100 on which it was based was replaced by the 2300, but the resulting Abarth 2400 was even less competitive in light of the appearance of Fiat's own 2300 Coupé.[9]

Fiat went on to offer their own, Ghia-designed coupé of the succeeding 2300. This design was first shown in Turin in November 1960 as the Fiat 2100 S. Thanks to triple carburettors, the tuned engine produced 130 hp (96 kW).[10] The prototype was built by Ghia's OSI subsidiary; by the time production started, Fiat had upgraded the 2100 to become the 2300 and all Ghia Coupés after the initial prototype were thus equipped.[11]

Engines

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Model Years Engine Displacement Power Fuel system
1800 1959–1961 OHV inline-six 1795 cc 75 PS (55 kW) single carburetor
1800B 1961–1968 OHV inline-six 1795 cc 86 PS (63 kW) single carburetor
2100 1959–1961 OHV inline-six 2054 cc 82 PS (60 kW) single carburetor
1500 taxi 1962–1968 OHV inline-four 1481 cc 60 PS (44 kW) single carburetor
1500L 1963–1964
1964–1967		 OHV inline-four 1481 cc 72 PS (53 kW)
75 PS (55 kW)		 single carburetor

Except for the number of cylinders, the inline-six engines were practically identical to the inline-four engines used in the Fiat 1300 and 1500, as well as in the 1500L. Because of the shared design and components, Fiat saved a lot of money and development time.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Felicioli, Riccardo P. (1999). Fiat 1899 - 1999. Italy: Automobilia, Bruno Alfieri. pp. 82–83. ISBN 88-7960-094-X.
  2. ^ a b Mazzocchi Bordone, Maria Giovanna (2010). Fiat, tutti i modelli del novecento [Fiat, all the 20th century models]. Un secolo di auto italiana. Vol. I. Rozzano (MI): Editoriale Domus.
  3. ^ a b "Al 41° Salone dell'Automobile di Torino quasi nulla di nuovo" [Practically nothing new at the 41st Turin Auto Show], Galleria Ruoteclassiche, Le fuoriserie 1956-1970. Il meglio di Quattroruote (in Italian), 2: 1958-1959 (55), Editoriale Domus S.p.A. (published March 2013): 108, November 1959, ISBN 9788872127704
  4. ^ "Abarth oltre le «2200» presenta una «1600»" [In addition to the 2200, Abarth presents a 1600], Galleria Ruoteclassiche, Le fuoriserie 1956-1970. Il meglio di Quattroruote (in Italian), 2: 1958-1959 (55), Editoriale Domus S.p.A. (published March 2013): 119, December 1959, ISBN 9788872127704
  5. ^ a b "Una proficua ricerca d'eleganza" [A fruitful pursuit of elegance], Abarth Collection (pamphlet) (in Italian), no. 8, Hachette-Fascicoli, p. 4, 2008, archived from the original on 2023-05-24 – via Berni Motori
  6. ^ "Abarth 2200 Coupe by Allemano". Veni Vidi Vici. Archived from the original on 2019-12-24.
  7. ^ a b Heseltine, Richard (2022-05-23). "Abarth 2200 Spider: on a softer note". Classic & Sports Car. Haymarket Media Group. Archived from the original on 2022-07-07.
  8. ^ Mazzocchi, Gianni (December 1960), "Ecco il Salone di Torino" [Here is the Turin Auto Show], Galleria Ruoteclassiche, Le fuoriserie 1956-1970. Il meglio di Quattroruote (in Italian), 3: 1960-1961 (56), Editoriale Domus S.p.A. (published April 2013): 62, ISBN 9788872127704
  9. ^ Guétat, Gérald (2022-08-05). "The Fiat-based, Michelotti-styled Abarth 2400 Coupé Allemano was Carlo Abarth's magnum opus". Hemmings Motor News. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on 2022-12-08.
  10. ^ Mazzocchi, Ecco il Salone di Torino, pp. 64–65.
  11. ^ "1960 Fiat 2100 S Coupé Prototipo by Ghia". Story-Cars.com. Archived from the original on 2023-07-06.
  12. ^ Giacosa, Dante (2014) [1st pub. Automobilia, 1979]. I miei 40 anni di progettazione alla Fiat [My 40 years of design with Fiat] (in Italian). Centro Storico Fiat. p. 229.
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