Fiat 1900
| Fiat | |
|---|---|
 Fiat 1900 A sedan
|
|
| 1900 | |
| Production period: | 1952-1958 |
| Class : | upper middle class |
| Body versions : | Sedan , coupe , convertible |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 1.9 liters (43–59 kW) |
| Length: | 4335 mm |
| Width: | 1655 mm |
| Height: | 1590 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2425 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1130-1240 kg |
| Previous model | Fiat 2800 |
| successor |
Fiat 1800 Fiat 2100 |
The Fiat 1900 was a model by the car manufacturer Fiat , which was produced from 1952 to 1958.
Fiat 1900
At the end of the 1940s, Fiat was one of the few manufacturers in Europe to already have an extensive range of models that covered different market segments from small cars ( 500 C ) to mid-range ( 1500 ). The upper class of Italy was only occupied by competitors such as Alfa Romeo and Lancia . Vittorio Valletta , the manufacturer's managing director since 1939 , decided to fill this gap. The background to this was his idea to serve both the domestic and the US market with a large car . Due to the large number of Italians living there, he suspected that there would be sufficient sales potential that the Fiat 1900 would open up.
The Fiat 1900 was officially presented in 1952. Ultimately, it was a further development of the 1400 published in March 1950 . The shape and the chassis of the sister model needed little revision to reach luxury level. Therefore, the 1900 largely took over the body and technology of the 1400. Only a modified radiator grille with integrated rectangular indicators was noticeable.
The water-cooled 4-cylinder in-line engine was also adopted. The stroke was increased from 66 mm to 90 mm, which resulted in 1901 cm³ displacement with initially 42.5 kW, later then 44 kW. In trial operation, this increase in performance led to vibrations at higher speeds. Fiat countered this problem by installing a hydraulic clutch and a 5-speed gearbox with a fifth overdrive gear that was translated into high speed. The vehicle had a steering wheel gearshift. First gear was only necessary under heavy loads or on the mountain. The full elasticity of the translation was noticeable in fourth gear, which could remain engaged from about 30 to a top speed of 130 km / h.
The interior of the 1900 was lavishly designed in the style of American vehicles and richly equipped. If the vehicle was two-tone on the outside, both colors were also reflected in the paintwork of the dashboard. The instrument cluster comprised a clock, tank and oil pressure display as well as warning lights for the water temperature and charging voltage. The speedometer had a trip odometer and offered the possibility of calculating the average driving speed. It was later replaced by a classic variant. A modified rear seat made the space a few centimeters larger than that of the 1400.
In addition to the four-door sedan came with the Fiat 1900 Granluce same time a two-door hardtop - coupe on sale. Outside Italy it was called Grand Vue. It was based on the 1400 Cabriolet, but only had the doors in common with it, which, with their above-average width of 1,360 mm, made it easy for rear passengers to get in. Compared to the sedan, the stylists lowered the roof by 7 cm and provided it with a three-part panoramic rear window . The coupe did not have a B-pillar ; the rear side windows were retractable. Outwardly, larger bumpers , a modified rear section and a different radiator grille with round fog lights stood out. There was an Autovox RA 15 car radio as standard . The antenna could be extended and retracted with a small crank in the driver's footwell.
At 1,750,000 lire for the sedan and 2,150,000 million for the coupé in Italy and 11,000 and 16,000 DM in Germany, the prices were well above the other Fiat vehicles, but just below the prices for comparable vehicles from competitors was requested. But since the 1900 lacked charisma and reputation in comparison, the sales figures remained low. Therefore the car was not exported to the USA.
Fiat produced a small series especially for the Italian police, called the 1900 Torpedo Veloce. This was nothing more than the 1400 Cabriolet , equipped with the more powerful 1900 engine and classic power transmission. This version was a maximum of 135 km / h.
Up until the introduction of the Fiat 1900 A, a little more than 10,000 units of all three model variants had been built.
Fiat 1900 A
In 1954 the model series was slightly revised and was now called 1900 A. The sedan thus essentially followed the changes made in the 1400. Many detail improvements were made in the interior. Most noticeable was the redesigned dashboard. Outside, the enlarged rear window was particularly noteworthy. The front fenders were reshaped and fitted with larger headlights . The front grille was revised again, after which two round fog lights were integrated in the middle. New hubcaps and trim completed the optical retouching. Through an increase in compression from 6.7: 1 to 7.5: 1 and modifications to the twin carburetor, the output rose to 51 kW at 4,500 rpm. Enlarging the tank from 48 to 55 l and optimizing consumption from 11.5 to 10.5 l / 100 km resulted in the increase in range desired by customers.
The Granluce received the same revisions, but there was again its own grille variant. Rectangular fog lights were integrated below the headlights. The panorama window was also enlarged.
The 1900 Torpedo Veloce was not reissued. In total, the second series had 7 027 vehicles.
Fiat 1900 B
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It was replaced by the 1900 B in 1956.
There were only a few changes for the sedan. A modified radiator grille was used again, with a single fog lamp in the middle. For the Granluce it remained with two fog lights, but these were posted here in the lower part of the grill. The overall fenders were designed differently compared to the sedan. They now had small arched overhangs above the headlights.
The rear and the bumpers have also been changed. In line with contemporary tastes, the interior was given an upgrade through color-contrasting elements and the introduction of a belt speedometer.
Both variants benefited from increased engine performance. It was now 59 kW at a top speed of 145 km / h.
Around 2,500 buyers were found for the third series. Therefore, at the end of 1958, production of the 1900 ended. Overall, Fiat's foray into the luxury class was rather moderately successful with around 20,000 vehicles produced.
Fiat 1900 in Austria
Shortly after its presentation in Italy, the 1900 came onto the market in Austria in 1953 through the Steyr company , with whom there was a cooperation based on an assembly contract. The only difference besides the Fiat Steyr emblems was the installation of a 2-liter Steyr engine, which with 48 kW at 4000 rpm was more powerful and more revving. Accordingly, the vehicle was also sold as the Steyr 2000 . Both the sedan and the Coupé Grand Vue were available. Planning to realize your own convertible petered out in the planning phase.
Since no technical changes were made, the Steyr also had the hydraulic clutch of the 1900, which was not absolutely necessary here, but served noticeably to increase comfort. A variant with a normal clutch from the Fiat 1400 was also offered as the Steyr 2000 Standard.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Visani, Marco: Fiat 1900 A Granluce - L'Amérique en point de mire, in Gazonline , issue 2 / February 2010, 15th year, Pixel Press Studio, Bailly, p. 29 f.
- ↑ a b c d Gloor, Roger: Post-war car - passenger cars 1945-1960, 6th edition, Hallwag Verlag, Bern and Stuttgart 1986, ISBN 3-444-10263-1 , p. 151.
- ↑ Visani, Marco: Fiat 1900 A Granluce - L'Amérique en point de mire, in: Gazonline, Issue 2 / February 2010, 15th year, Pixel Press Studio, Bailly, p. 32 f.
- ↑ Visani, Marco: Fiat 1900 A Granluce - L'Amérique en point de mire, in: Gazonline, Issue 2 / February 2010, 15th year, Pixel Press Studio, Bailly, p. 30 f.
- ↑ Visani, Marco: Fiat 1900 A Granluce - L'Amérique en point de mire, in: Gazonline, Issue 2 / February 2010, 15th year, Pixel Press Studio, Bailly, p. 33.
- ^ Kuch, Joachim / Schmarbeck, Wolfgang: Typenkompaß Fiat - Passenger Cars since 1945, 1st edition, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-613-01906-X , p. 51 f.
- ↑ Visani, Marco: Fiat 1900 A Granluce - L'Amérique en point de mire, in: Gazonline, Issue 2 / February 2010, 15th year, Pixel Press Studio, Bailly, p. 30.
- ↑ Visani, Marco: Fiat 1900 A Granluce - L'Amérique en point de mire, in: Gazonline, Issue 2 / February 2010, 15th year, Pixel Press Studio, Bailly, p. 34.
