FIAT 1100 was a car manufactured by the Italian manufacturer FIAT between the years 1937 and 1953.

The project rested on the evolution of old FIAT 508 Balilla of 1932. It receipt the number of code 508C, while keeping the generic name of Balilla. Presented in 1937, it began again in smaller the aerodynamic line and the style of FIAT 1500 6 cylinders which had created sensation in 1935. A version 508L, limousine with three lines of seats, was also worked out for the taxis.

It was followed in 1939 by one second called series " musone" (muzzle) because of its front cap out of V characteristic. This Balilla then took the simple denomination of 1100 (Millecento) as its lengthened version 1100 L. These versions will evolve/move in 1100 B and BL in 1948 (suspensions before improved), then in 1100 E and EL of 1949 to 1953 (speeds at the wheel, cases accessible from outside). It was also declined as of the beginning in a version convertible 4 places derived from the truck of series, then with a specific body since 1948.

Equipped with famous engine FIAT 108C of 1089 Cm3 developing 32 cv, this car had a line studied out of blower. It preserved the system of doors opening in wallet, without central amount, appeared on the preceding model. With valves at the head, its nose gear wheels independent, its 4 speeds, its brakes hydraulic, its modern body any steel with 4 doors and its brilliant performances, it dominated competition in its category of cubic capacity and price.

In 1939, FIAT answers an invitation to tender of the Army and presents the 508C Militaire and Colonial which will be the vehicle of the Italian army during the second world war.

In 1947, hardly the finished war, FIAT produce a small series of the half-compartment sportsman 1100 S, derived from a model of prewar competition. Its thorough aérodynamisme and its elaborate engine enable him to reach 150 km/h.

In 1949, FIAT presents a last version of the 1100 S, the model 1100 ES, splendid half-compartment drawn by Pinin Farina.

Production in Italy

The production of this model was the following one:

• 57.000 specimens of the first series 508C - Balilla 1100 of 1937,

• 74.000 specimens of second series 1100 of 1939,
• 401 half-compartments 1100 S,
• more than 25.000 specimens of the version 1100 B/BL (L = long frame for the taxis in particular) of 1948,
• more than 58.000 specimens of the version 1100 E/EL/ES.

The FIAT 1100-103 its heiress

In 1953, the FIAT 1100 underwent a total recasting. It taken code name FIAT 1100-103 and kept its devancière only the engine of which legendary reliability and the great flexibility had conquered the whole of the technicians.

The FIAT 1100 in the world

The FIAT 1100 was one of many cars FIAT to being also built in several countries out of Italy (where it was manufactured with more than 157.000 specimens); it is thus necessary to add manufacture abroad following:

• Austria : in the AustroFiat factory of Vienna and the same configuration of the Italian original, between 1948 and 1959, Steyr-Puch manufactured FIAT 1100 pennies license in its versions B, NR and R.

• Germany : in the factory FIAT-NSU, FIAT manufactured all models FIAT 1100, since the FIAT 1100-508C until the last FIAT 1100-103 R, between 1939 and 1970 with the engines 1100 and 1200 Cm3. Almost 160.000 specimens were manufactured.

• France : the factory Simca - FIAT of Nanterre began manufacture from the FIAT 508 Balilla, rebadgée Simca-FIAT 6cv, since 1938. Then, Simca manufactured under license the Simca 8 - FIAT 1100-508C since 1950; 110.146 specimens left the chains of Nanterre. Simca will keep excellent engine FIAT 108C of 1089 Cm3 to equip all the series Aronde and P60 until the end with the Sixties.

• India : between 1954 and 1960, FIRST manufactured under license the first series of the FIAT 1100 which was stopped in Italy in 1953. FIAT having sold one of its assembly lines able to produce 40.000 models per annum. In 1967, FIAT again yielded a line of assembly of FIAT 1100-103 D to PAL-PREMIER which will continue the manufacture of the FIAT 1100D renamed Padmini, very appraisal of the Indian taxis, until 2000! On the whole they will be more than 1.500.000 FIAT 1100 which will have been manufactured in India for the only local market.

Technical data FIAT 1100 B

Engine: longitudinal front, 4 cylinders on line, valves at the head

Cubic capacity: 1089 Cm3

Boring X race: 68 mm X 75 mm

Power max: 32 CV to 4400 tours/mn

Transmission: manual box 4 speeds, dry single-plate clutch, rear drive

Suspensions: before with independent wheels, superimposed trasversaux arms, helical springs, hydraulic dampers, back rigid axle, hydraulic dampers, bar stabilizing transversal

Brakes: hydraulics on the 4 wheels

Dimensions and weight: footing 2420 mm, sees before 1231 mm, sees back 1226 mm, length 4050 mm, width 1482 mm, height 1500 Misters Poids: 905 kg with vacuum, 1185 kg with full load.

Speed max: 110 km/h

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