Later in the same year at the Paris Motorshow,
Fiat released the 103 TV (Turismo Veloce) with a modified engine now producing
50bhp. Various details were changed including trim and a new front grille
(incorporating a central foglight) and the bodywork was finished in a special
two tone paint scheme. A coupe
was also built by Pininfarina based on the TV.
The first major revision of the 1100 range
came in 1956 when the second series, the 103E, was released, in all four
(saloon, TV, 'Familiare' and trasformabile) versions. A revised engine
(power up to 40bhp and 53bhp in the TV) was fitted, the bodywork was modified
(including a new front grille), the rear suspension slightly revised and
various smaller detail changes were also made. These models were only produced
until 1957, about 115,000 being built.
The next version was the 103D, launched
in October 1957. The TV and trasformabile were discontinued, replaced by
the versions of the 1200, Alongside the 103D, in 1959, was launched
the 103H or 1100 'Lusso'. This was basically the same as the 103D saloon
with a 50bhp engine and numerous changes to reflect the 'Lusso' tag. As
usual, a new grille was fitted ! The 'Lusso' was built until 1960, and
over 227,000 cars were produced.
Another revision took place in 1960 when
the 1100 'Export' and 'Special' models were released (replacing both the
'D' and 'H' models), whilst the 'Familiare' continued in revised form.
The engine in all versions was now a 55bhp (still 1089cc) unit, whilst
later an automatic clutch was also available in the 'Special'. The 'Export'
and 'Familiare' had a very similar body style to the old 103D model, whilst
the 'Special' had more angular lines. The mechanicals followed the layout
of the 103H. After 272,067 cars had been built, in 1962, the next version emerged.
The last version of the 1100 was the 1100R
(for 'rinnovata' or 'refurbished'), released in February 1966. Many changes,
both to the mechanicals and the bodywork, were made. The main changes included
the return to a 1089cc engine (with 48bhp) and the adoption of disc brakes
at the front. About 341,000 examples of saloon and estate were built until
1969 when they were replaced by the new, front-wheel-drive 128.
The 1100 is still produced in India, in
only slightly modified form, as the Premier Padmini; available with an
1100 engine and also a 1400 unit.
Introduced
at the Geneva Motorshow in 1953, the nuova 1100 was also known as the 103.
Despite similar mechanicals to the old 1100
(which can be traced right back to 508C of 1937) the new model was effectively
a new car. The body was all new, using a monocoque, or load bearing, construction.
The rest was conventional, with an in-line four cylinder 1089cc engine
(36bhp) driving the rear wheels through a four speed gearbox with a column
mounted shift. Two versions were produced at the beginning with different levels of trim and seats.
The
following year saw an estate version, the 'Familiare', introduced. This
was mechanically identical to the saloon with the exception of the tyres.
The 103 TV Trasformabile,
a spider with a completely new body, emerged at the Geneva Motorshow in
the following year, 1955. The first series of the 103 continued in production
until 1956, by which time a total of over 250,000 had been built.
whilst
the engine in the saloon and estate was further improved to produce 43bhp.
The body was significantly modified, with a longer boot (and thus longer
overall length) and also included yet another design of grille, whilst
the braking system was improved. The two-tone paint scheme also became
available on the normal models. About 150,000 were built up until 1960.
This
was the 1100D, launched at the Turin Motorshow in that year. Two versions,
a saloon and an estate were released, both with a more angular bodystyling
taken mainly from the previous 'Special' but with a much 'cleaner' and
less fussy front end. Despite continuing as the '1100' a 1221cc engine
(images : left side and
right side)
was now fitted, still generating 55bhp. These variants were produced for
four years, during which about 332,000 were built.
Technical Details
| Driveline | longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive |
| Engine | 103 : 1089cc (68x75mm) 4 cylinder ohv with 36bhp @ 4400rpm (TV : 50bhp @ 5400rpm)
103E : 40bhp @ 4400rpm (Berlina/Familiare) & 53bhp @ 5400rpm (TV) 103D : 43bhp @ 4800rpm 103H : 50bhp @ 5200rpm 1100D : 1221cc (72x75mm) 4 cylinder ohv with 55bhp @ 5000rpm (images : left side and right side) 1100R : 1089cc (68x75mm) 4 cylinder ohv with 48bhp @ 5200rpm |
| Suspension |
front : Independent, lower wishbone, coil spring and telescopic damper plus anti-roll bar
rear : solid axle with telescopic dampers and leaf springs Images from 1963 car. wheelbase : 2340mm (1100R : 2342mm) front track : 1229mm (103D onwards : 1232mm) rear track : 1212mm (103D onwards : 1215mm) (1100R : 1214mm) |
| Brakes | front : drums (discs on 1100R)
rear : drums handbrake : transmission band brake |
| Gearbox | 4 speed manual |
| Steering | worm and roller |
| Kerb weight | nuova 1100 / 103 : 825kg
1100 / 103E : 870kg 1100 / 103D : 880kg 1100 / 103H : 915kg 1100D : 895kg 1100R : 850kg |
You can also see the General Lubrification chart and Cleaning, Inspection & Adjustment chart from the owners handbook for the 1963 1221cc car.
For more pictures of the Fiat 1100, see our
picture galleries, 1100's are usually present at most events.
Wallpapers/Desktop
Backgrounds of the 1100 also available to download.
For books on Fiats see our Online Bookstore
1100 comment form
Your Comments
My grandfather bought a Fiat
1100D in 1967, the car we earlier had was a Fiat 1100. At present we still
have the 1100D, which still drives like a dream & I love driving it.
I think the car handles very well. I can still do speeds in excess of 80
kmph & that I think is good enough for a car of its age. The pickup
of the car is so amazing that u can feel the power of the vehicle as u
press the throttle...i'm simply in love with this car.
The 1100 was a very competitive
car of its age. I persuaded my grandfather to buy one in 1962. The
Fiat 1100 Special was choosen before the Volkswagen Beetle, Renault Dauphine,
Ford Anglia, Thriumph Herald and Ausitn A40. The Fiat had 4 doors,
was roomier and had very good roadholding. Contemporary road test said
the Fiat was a car for alpine roads. The car was the liveliest of the rivals,
better equipped, and had the lowest fuel consumptions. The car is now in
my posession and it is still like a new car.
I think the 1100 Special
with the 103G body of 1960-1962 was the nicest of the range: well propotioned,
great looking grill and with a lot of chrome. The model is featured
in Brizio Pignacca's book Fiat 1100. (Nils Kr.)
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