Classic Cars
From Italy
FIAT S.p.A.
Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (F.I. A.T.) was founded
on 11 July 1899 and Giovanni Agnelli, the driving force behind the company's
strategic planning in the
early days, was appointed managing director in 1902.
By 1916 the company began construction of its factory at Lingoto which became
the largest automobile factory in Europe. Construction was completed in 1922.
Like all auto manufacturers, World War II forced substantial increases in the
production of commercial vehicles with a synonymous reduction in production of
personal vehicles.
The first diesel engined vehicle was introduced to the public in 1953, the Fiat
1400.
In 1978 the company introduced robotic assembly with its self-named "Robogate".
To celebrate the company's 100th anniversary, the corporate logo that had become
recognised around the world, was changed.
(*1)
Today, Fiat operates in 61 countries, via 1,063 companies employing over 223,000
people, one half of whom are employed outside Italy.
Since the "European Car of the Year" award was launched in the 1960s, Fiat has
won the trophy 12 times and many of those can now be legitimately called
"classics".
Fiat's massive growth pattern is demonstrated by the fact that it acquired Alfa
Romeo from the Italian government in 1986 and Maserati in 1993. Over the years
it has also made bodies for Ferrari., flirted with a joint venture with General
Motors and recently with Chrysler LLC, and had considerable investments in other
auto manufacturers including SEAT of Spain.
Fiat has produced some beautiful classics worthy of standing in anyone's collection - here are my
choices
We
cannot begin a gallery of classic Fiat vehicles without the Fiat 500 (often
referred to as the "bambina" (baby) and in Argentina and Paraguay as
the "bolita" (little ball).
Most countries had their "city cars" - Italy had the 500.
The 500 was first produced
in
1957 with a 479cc two cylinder air cooled engine, half the size of Volkswagen of
the day. It was less than 3 metres long and weighed only 499kg.
My choice is the 1962 500D, the second model in this amazing vehicle.
The Fiat 124 sold over 15
million units during its 1966 to 1974 life span. It is chosen not just because
it was one of the winners of the European Car of the Year award but also because
it spawned the Coupe, the Sport Spider, the up-market Fiat 125 as well as being
the basis for the almost identical Russian Lada which has also sold over 14
million units.
and elsewhere.
* left - The
Fiat 124 Sport Spider was produced with 1400cc, 1600cc, 1800cc and 2000cc
engines between 1966 to 1985. They sold over 200,000 units,
mostly for the American market. This is the 2000cc model of 1979.
*
left - This 1969 Fiat 124 Coupe
is the 1600cc version. They also came with a 1400cc
or
1800cc engine.
Nearly 300,000 Coupes were sold between 1967 and 1975, surprisingly proving more
popular than the Spider.
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References
There is no doubting that the Fiat 128 was almost as successful as the 124 and
that it
also
won the European Car of the Year award in 1970. The 128, like the 124 also
formed the platform for vehicles produced in other countries, notably Zastava of
Serbia. Production continued from 1969 to 1985.
My choice of the 5 models produced is the 1100cc 128 Sport Coupe SL of 1972.
The Fiat 132 was the first genuine family car produced between 1972 and 1981 and
with the upgraded Argenta, continued until 1985. The 132 came in many forms but
1 basic shape. Engine capacity ranged from the original petrol driven
1600cc up to the diesel 2.5 litre. There was also a direct relationship to the SEAT
of Spain.
Sold in conjunction with and not competing against the 124 Sport Spider, this Fiat X1/9 was
produced between 1972 and 1982 and later under the name Bertone X1/9, through until 1989.
Some will argue that the car had many problems never completely overcome - fuel
feed, rust and engine bay access, but the model was revered by journalists and
owners alike.
(*2)
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See my Blog.
*1 -
Fiat Motor
Company
*2 -
Wikipedia