Fiat 1400 and 1900

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Fiat 1400/1900
Fiat 1400 Berlina 1951
Overview
ManufacturerFiat
Also calledZastava 1400 BJ
Production1950-1958
DesignerDante Giacosa[1]
Body and chassis
Body style4-door sedan
2-door cabriolet (1400)
2-door coupé (1900)
LayoutFR layout
RelatedSEAT 1400 & Zastava 1400 BJ
Powertrain
Enginestraight-4
Transmission4 and 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase265 cm (104.3 in) [2]
Length424 cm (166.9 in) [2]
Width166 cm (65.4 in) [2]
Height153 cm (60.2 in) [2]
Curb weight1,150 kg (2,540 lb)-1,250 kg (2,760 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFiat 1500
SuccessorFiat 1800/2100
Fiat 1400 Berlina 1956

The Fiat 1400 is a model of car produced by Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat between 1950 and 1958. The car was introduced in 1950 Geneva Motor Show. It was the first chassisless Fiat automobile. In 1953 the introduction of a diesel version with a 1900 cc engine marked another Fiat first, although the diesel version was known as the 1400 Diesel.

Also in 1953 the Fiat 1400 became the first model to be produced by SEAT in Spain and the first model of passenger car[3] produced by Crvena zastava in FNRY.

Possibly the 1.9 litre diesel-engined version was branded as a 1400 in order to avoid confusion with the petrol-engined Fiat 1900 which announced in April 1954, when the entire range received a facelift. The petrol-engined Fiat 1900 A now offered a claimed 70 bhp.[4] It also featured a hyrdraulicly operated clutch and, unusually for that time, a five speed (manual) geabox.[4]

Features

  • The engine had a 1,4 ltr capacity and a power output of 44 hp (33 kW) with 4400 rpm.[2]
  • The larger engine offered from 1953 engine had a 1,9 ltr capacity and a power output of 70 hp (52 kW) with 4400 rpm.[4]
  • It had a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) (1400 cc version).
  • Unloaded weight of 1,120 kg (2,469 lb).
  • Hand brake handle under instrument panel,
  • Retaining loops for front seat passengers at the roof and at the backrests,
  • Armrests in the doors
  • Fuel filler access was through a trap door in the floor of the trunk/boot, thus keeping the fuel safe once the car was closed and locked[5]

Approximately 77,000 of the cars were built.

A 1400 cc model tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1950 had a top speed of 74.4 mph (119.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 35.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of 24.2 miles per imperial gallon (11.7 L/100 km; 20.2 mpg‑US) was recorded. The car was never sold in the UK, but the Italian market price would have equated to approximately £750 including taxes.[2] Having eulogised the performance and "quite exceptional...top gear flexibility", British journalists went on to praise the "astonishing silence, smoothness and comfort provided by the vehicle", highlighting various "unique features designed to prevent the transmission of noise and vibration to the passengers".[5] Great use was made of rubber and of "a sound-proofing compound...liberally coated...[on the car's]...integral structure".[5]

The The Motor tested a 1901 cc diesel model in 1954 and recorded a top speed of 63.8 mph (102.7 km/h), acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 45.2 seconds and a fuel consumption of 33.9 miles per imperial gallon (8.3 L/100 km; 28.2 mpg‑US). The car was not at the time available on the UK market but a price in Italy of 1,545,000 Lire was quoted which they worked out as equivalent to £909.[6]

Models

Model Engine Displacement Power Fuel system
1400 straight-4 ohv 1395 cc 44-56 hp single carburetor
1400 D straight-4 ohv 1901 cc 40 hp diesel
1900 straight-4 ohv 1901 cc 60-80 hp single carburetor

References

  1. ^ "Dante Giacosa: From wartime to the present day, Paul Frère conculdes his profile of a great engineer". Motor. nbr. 3597: pages 20–22. date 12 June 1971. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f "The Fiat 1400 saloon". The Motor. December 13, 1950.
  3. ^ http://zastavanacionale.com/Default.aspx?lng=en-us&mode=heritage&id=1950s
  4. ^ a b c "Vor 20 Jahren: Verbesserter Fiat (ie a page of extracts from the same magazine's edition of exactly twenty years earlier)". Auto Motor u. Sport. Heft. 9 1974: Seite 21. date 27 April 1974. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c "Fiat 1400 Saloon (road test)". Autocar. March 17, 1950.
  6. ^ "The Fiat 1400 Diesel". The Motor. January 13, 1954.
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