Fiat 1400

Fiat 1400/1900
Fiat 1400 Berlina 1951
Overview
Manufacturer	Fiat
Also called	Zastava 1400 BJ
Production	1950-1958
Designer	Dante Giacosa[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door cabriolet (1400) 2-door coupé (1900)
Layout	FR layout
Related	SEAT 1400 & Zastava 1400 BJ
Powertrain
Engine	straight-4
Transmission	4 and 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	265 cm (104.3 in) [2]
Length	424 cm (166.9 in) [2]
Width	166 cm (65.4 in) [2]
Height	153 cm (60.2 in) [2]
Curb weight	1,150 kg (2,540 lb)-1,250 kg (2,760 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Fiat 1500
Successor	Fiat 1800/2100

Fiat 1400 Berlina 1956

The Fiat 1400 is a model of car produced by Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat between 1950 and 1958. The car was introduced in 1950 Geneva Motor Show. It was the first chassisless Fiat automobile. In 1953 the introduction of a diesel version with a 1900 cc engine marked another Fiat first, although the diesel version was known as the 1400 Diesel.

Also in 1953 the Fiat 1400 became the first model to be produced by SEAT in Spain and the first model of passenger car^[3] produced by Crvena zastava in FNRY.

Possibly the 1.9 litre diesel-engined version was branded as a 1400 in order to avoid confusion with the petrol-engined Fiat 1900 which announced in April 1954, when the entire range received a facelift. The petrol-engined Fiat 1900 A now offered a claimed 70 bhp.^[4] It also featured a hyrdraulicly operated clutch and, unusually for that time, a five speed (manual) geabox.^[4]

Features

• The engine had a 1,4 ltr capacity and a power output of 44 hp (33 kW) with 4400 rpm.^[2]
• The larger engine offered from 1953 engine had a 1,9 ltr capacity and a power output of 70 hp (52 kW) with 4400 rpm.^[4]
• It had a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) (1400 cc version).
• Unloaded weight of 1,120 kg (2,469 lb).
• Hand brake handle under instrument panel,
• Retaining loops for front seat passengers at the roof and at the backrests,
• Armrests in the doors
• Fuel filler access was through a trap door in the floor of the trunk/boot, thus keeping the fuel safe once the car was closed and locked^[5]

Approximately 77,000 of the cars were built.

A 1400 cc model tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1950 had a top speed of 74.4 mph (119.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 35.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of 24.2 miles per imperial gallon (11.7 L/100 km; 20.2 mpg_-US) was recorded. The car was never sold in the UK, but the Italian market price would have equated to approximately £750 including taxes.^[2] Having eulogised the performance and "quite exceptional...top gear flexibility", British journalists went on to praise the "astonishing silence, smoothness and comfort provided by the vehicle", highlighting various "unique features designed to prevent the transmission of noise and vibration to the passengers".^[5] Great use was made of rubber and of "a sound-proofing compound...liberally coated...[on the car's]...integral structure".^[5]

The The Motor tested a 1901 cc diesel model in 1954 and recorded a top speed of 63.8 mph (102.7 km/h), acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 45.2 seconds and a fuel consumption of 33.9 miles per imperial gallon (8.3 L/100 km; 28.2 mpg_-US). The car was not at the time available on the UK market but a price in Italy of 1,545,000 Lire was quoted which they worked out as equivalent to £909.^[6]

Models

References