Fiat 1300/1500

Fiat 1300 (1961-1966)

The Fiat 1300 ( Italian: Milletrecento ) was a model of the car maker Fiat, which was produced from 1961 to 1966.

The development

Shortly after the presentation of the Fiat 1200 Gran Luce 1957 began preparations to design the successor model. Clear target for inclusion in future model range was that it had to position itself between the 1100 and the 1800/2100. Fiat developed by 1300 a vehicle to combine the economy of the small and the great comfort of the car together. It created the models 116C.000 and 115C.000, which were sold under the name Fiat 1300/1500. Both were identical apart from the engine.

The development called for an unusual Italian standards of the time trial. 19 prototypes completed 1.5 million kilometers of testing before the launch. With success, the vehicle was presented in April 1961 and it proved far beyond its production overtime as technically very robust.

The design features

The body

Viewed from the side front and rear section are approximately equal, so that the carriage will almost symmetrical. Designed the car was in the then modern trapezoid shape, slightly playful and stylistically similar to that of the then highly publicized Chevrolet Corvair. In particular, three characteristics were found again: approximately 5 cm from the rear window overhanging roof, enclosed in an oval metal plate dual round headlights and the orbiting body at hip level edge. Despite these high-sided shape of the car had not chubby. There was only a four-door version. The most popular color was white. The self-supporting body had dimensions of 4030 mm x 1545 mm x 1420 mm.

The interior

The middle-class Fiat was about 20 cm shorter than the contemporary notchback VW Type 3, but had a 10 cm larger interior. He was easily reached by the four standard doors, and five people were without problems place. Due to a significant curvature of the roof also found great rider on the rear seats enough headroom. The pews were in cloth or optional - 100,00 DM against extra charge - in Skai. However Contemporary Autotester criticized the lack of wear of the upholstery fabrics. But reclining seats were standard.

The dashboard was standard exceptionally well equipped: Band tachometer, warning lights for the turn signals (separated in the first series more for the right and left side), choke, oil pressure, parking brake, Stand-/Abblend- and high beam. In addition to the fuel gauge, there was a complementary red warning light that lit up as soon as the reserve limit has been exceeded. A manually adjustable mechanical cruise control ( as " hand gas") was also available. These features could not even offer an additional charge many competitors. A Hupring graced the steering wheel, the gear selection was made by the steering wheel circuit. In the center of the dashboard, a removable lid with large Fiat emblem was mounted, who disappeared in the event of a radio installation. A golden type lettering found on the lid of the glove compartment.

The technique

The engine developed 60 hp / 70 DIN or PS / SAE (equivalent to 44 kW) at a total displacement of 1295 cc. The ratio of bore to stroke was 72 mm x 79.5 mm. The top speed was 140 km / h Gear selection was carried out by a fully synchronized 4 -speed transmission. The selector lever was always to be found on the steering column; also an additional charge there was no floor shift, however, was on request, a semi-automatic, that is an automatic clutch ( ' Saxomat "by Fichtel & Sachs) available. The front wheels were independently suspended by double wishbones, the rear a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs was installed. Both front and rear, there was hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers.

The 1300 and the German market

At the premiere in Germany at the IAA 1961 both versions ( 1300 and 1500) were seen as competitors for example for the new class of BMW, which ought not to be underestimated. The price of DM 7,100 for the 1300 has got a lot of attention, and in terms of equipment, interior dimensions and costs he wrestled such as a VW Type 3 down easily. Consequently, in the subsequent period the Fiat 1300 was the most popular imported car in Germany and in several other countries around the world.

In contemporary tests of the trade press he cut off generally above average. Even in April 1966, he finished second in a trade press test the second place, not least because of its high reliability and its unbeatable price-performance ratio.

An accurate estimate of how many cars were sold in Germany in 1300 the type is difficult today, as the figures usually together with its sister model - were recognized - the Fiat 1500. It is known that from both a monthly basis between 800 to 1800 were imported, and from 1961 to 1968 a total of 86 945 vehicles of the type 115/116 received their approval.

Facelift

The success led to an expansion of the range of programs.

Thus, a five-door station wagon version was offered shortly after the presentation at the Salon in Turin, which was mainly aimed at artisans, but " familiars " called. The tailgate of this model was sufficiently narrow cut, so that the tail lights of the sedan could also use here.

1964 was followed by the usual in Italy luxury models that were featured in the model number with C.. Externally the 1300 C differed by a modified front grille with integrated turn signals. At the rear, showed altered taillights and a mounted on the driver side fuel filler neck, hidden under a lockable door. In the normal version, he was open under the left taillight. He repeated designmäßig the round reversing lamp under the right tail light and found that a certain symmetry of the rear view of her.

There was also a slightly longer wheelbase. The dashboard has been enhanced by an aluminum bezel. In addition, the bumper horns had a slightly different shape and were blinded with rubber buffers. Technically consisted mainly of slightly more powerful engine ( 65 hp / DIN or 48 kW ) and power-assisted brakes, which were later used in the basic models, the weight. This luxury variants were not offered as a station wagon.

The popularity of the 1300/1500 meant that many coachbuilders in Italy dealt with special models. However, these had in common are generally out of the motor and the platform is not much with the standard model.

The end

The time taste overtook the Fiat 1300., The " New Objectivity " demanded straight, cubic forms. After five years of construction, the production of the 1300s in 1966 has been set, and was succeeded by the Fiat 124 total, more than 600,000 units of the series 1300/1500 emerged. Originally afflicted with the character of a stopgap, but ultimately convinced the mix of family car, sporty and reliable, conventional technology.

Today the car in Germany is almost forgotten. The magazine "Der Spiegel " believes that there are two main reasons for this. On one hand, leads the author to the sober, based on engine capacity model name, on the other hand the cars disappeared due to severe rust relatively quickly from our roads. Thus, in 1988 only 519 registered cars of both variants at Kraftfahrtbundesamt were known.

However, this is different in other countries: In Arab countries the carriage pleased because of its robustness and the " rust ( un) favorable " climate continues to be very popular; it is still often used, for example in Cairo as a taxi. Even in the former Yugoslavia are still some of these vehicles on the roads, which were built there under license in Zastava.

Fiat 1300 C ( 1964 to 1966 )

Interior of the 1300 C

Swell

  • Heiko Haupt: Shrunken street cruiser, in: Der Spiegel, June 5, 2003
  • Automobile review, catalog number 1965, pp. 246ff. (technical data and prices)
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