FIAT 1100 STW - 61

The Fiat 1100 is a compact automobile produced from

1937 to 1969 by the Italian car maker Fiat. It was built in

several generations, with a separate chassis (until 1953)

and then monocoque bodywork.

The 1100 was changed steadily and gradually until finally being replaced by the inventive  new Fiat 128 in 1969. There were also a series of light commercial versions of the 1100 built,  with later models called the Fiat 1100T, which remained in production until 1971. The Fiat  1100D also found a long life in India, where Premier Automobiles continued to build the car  until the end of 2000.  er 1204 TS. 

508C Nuova Balilla 1100

The Fiat 1100 was first introduced in 1937 as an updated version of the 508 "Balilla" (its real  name was the 508C) with a look similar to the 1936 Fiat 500 "Topolino" and the larger 1500,  with the typical late-thirties heart-shaped front grille, with styling by the emerging designer  Dante Giacosa. It was powered by a 1,089 cc four-cylinder overhead-valve engine rather than  the earlier Balilla's 1-litre unit. Power was up by a third, to 32 PS (24 kW) at 4000 rpm. There  was also a more sporting model on offer, the 42 PS (31 kW) "508 CMM".  Drive was to the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox, and for the period, its comfort,  handling, and performance were prodigious, making it "the only people's car that was also a  driver's car". Unusual for a modestly priced car of the time was the independent front  suspension, while the rear had a leaf sprung live axle. Subsequently the car underwent a  partial restyling around the front end and gained new streamlined window-shaped louvres  and was renamed the 1100B and was popularly known as the "1100 musone" (i. e. "big nose").  After World War II, in 1949, the car was re-introduced with a curvy trunk and new name, the  1100E. The 1100E also received a bit more power, and now had 35 PS (26 kW). Both the 508C  and the 1100B were also available as the long wheelbase 508L which was mainly used for  vans and taxis. 

1100–103

In 1953, the 1100 was completely redesigned as a compact four-door sedan, with a modern  monocoque bodywork and integrated fenders and front lights. The new model was called the  1100/103 after its project number, and was offered (as usual at that time) in two different  versions: "economica" (cheaper) and "normale" (standard). In October 1953, the car became  available in a sporty version, the 1100TV (Turismo Veloce) with a third light in the middle of  the grille and 51 PS (38 kW) rather than the 36 PS (26 kW) of the regular versions. It was also  available in station-wagon version, with a side-hinged fifth door at the back.  In March 1955, the 1100/103 Trasformabile, a two-seater roadster, was introduced at the  Geneva Motor Show. Equipped with the mechanics from the 1100TV, the American-inspired  design was the work of the special bodies division of Fiat (Sezione Carrozzerie Speciali). 571  of these first series Trasformabiles were built. In 1956 it received a more powerful engine  (three more horsepower) and a modified rear suspension; 450 more of these were built. From  1957 the Trasformabile was equipped with the more powerful 55 PS (40 kW) "1200" engine  (1,221 cc). Production of this model continued until 1959, with circa 2,360 of the 1.2 liter  Trasformabiles built. The 1.2 also received slight changes to the front and rear design, with  bigger headlights being the most noticeable difference.  Between 1956 and 1960, the new 1100 underwent several slight changes in fittings and  details, e.g. newly designed grille, more rectangular profile, dual color dressing, and  eventually small fintails with spear-shaped backlights. A special version, the 1100 Granluce  (i.e. "Large light"), no longer with rear-hinged-doors, launched in 1959, had both fintails and  wider windows. As an option it could be fitted with a new powerful 1221 cc engine. The Fiat 1100/103 was imported and sold by Premier Automobiles Limited (PAL). The older  model was known as the Millecento and the one with the center light on the front grille as  the Elegant. In 1958, the fintail model was introduced as the Select. It was followed by the  Super Select in 1961. By 1964, the 1100D was introduced and it was assembled in India by  PAL. This model has most of the parts manufactured locally. In India it was considered a  sportier alternative than the Hindustan Ambassador.

1100D

Retaining the exterior changes of this model, in 1962 Fiat introduced the third generation  1100, called the 1100D ("D" stood for Delight). It was a sober yet comfortable four-door  sedan, very similar to the Granluce but with simpler sides and a new simpler rectangular  front end. The 1100D was a successful Italian Standard in the early sixties and along with its  own Estate or Family car version and a Deluxe model that offered a higher performance of 50  PS (37 kW), extra side moldings, front bench seat with two reclining backs and carpet floor  mats. These survived without any substantial alteration until 1966, when the introduction of  the groundbreaking 124 model imposed a further change in styling. Power was 40 PS (29 kW)  at the time of introduction, which was soon increased to 43 PS (32 kW). The Fiat 1100D was manufactured under licence in India by the Premier Automobiles Limited  beginning in 1964. The vehicle was initially marketed as the Fiat 1100D, as the Premier  President for model year 1972, and as the Premier Padmini since 1974 until its  discontinuation in 2000. By 1993, a diesel version with a 1366 cc diesel engine made in  collaboration with FNM from Italy and was badged as the Premier Padmini 137D.The car  manufacturing plant was closed down by 2000. 

1100R

The very last 1100 model, born in February 1966, was the 1100R ("R" stood for Rinnovata). It  had a longer, straighter and slimmer line, with a square back and a front-end look not very  different from its bigger sister the Fiat 124. In terms of styling cues, the vestigial fins were  further suppressed and the simple round rear light cluster from the Fiat 850 replaced the  vertical form seen on the 1100D. At the same time, the larger engine was withdrawn in order  to avoid undue overlap with the 124. The 1100R was offered only with the older 1,089 cc  engine, now with a compression ratio of 8:1 and a claimed output of 48 bhp (36 kW). This  engine (with a somewhat narrower bore) had been first introduced in the 1932 Balilla.  Clutch and gearbox were little changed, but the return of a floor mounted gear lever  positioned between the front seats and connected to the gearbox with a rod linkage system  was welcomed by the motoring press. The absence of synchromesh on the bottom forward  speed nevertheless offered a reminder that under the surface this was becoming a somewhat  aging design. Between the gearbox and the differential, the propeller shaft had now been  separated into two parts with three couplings. The boot was usefully expanded, helped by a slight increase in the car's overall length, and  with more careful packaging of the spare wheel (under the floor) and the fuel tank (in the  rear wing on the right). As configured for UK sales, reclining front seats were available as an  optional extra for £8.  The 1100R finally gave way in 1969 to the new middle-class Fiat 128. It was also assembled  by the Neckar-Automobilwerke in Heilbronn, Germany. Called the Neckar 1100 Millecento it  only differed lightly in trim. 

1100T

The 1100T was made from 1957 as a van, pickup and bus. The car was equipped with a in-line  engine with 1,089 cc (type 103 D.007) with 38 PS (28 kW) at 4800 rpm and it had a top speed  of 90 km/h (56 mph). In 1959, its successor was unveiled, the Fiat 1100 T2, that had a 45 PS  (33 kW) 1,222 cc engine. Production continued with a steady stream of updated engines,  until production of the 1100 T4 finally came to an end in 1971. 

1961

Engine 1098 cc 4 cylinders 48 hp Transmission 4-speed manual Top speed 120 km/h An original Finnish registration card.