Later that same year, at the Turin Motorshow,
the Familiare, or estate, version was released. This had almost identical
mechanical parts and dimensions to the saloon, but with an extended roofline and rear hatch.
Then, in 1964, again at the Turin Motorshow,
the 1500C was released. This had an improved engine, now producing 75bhp,
a stretched wheelbase, assisted brakes and various detail improvements
to the styling, both inside and out. The improved engine was also installed
in the 1500L which continued in production. The 1300 remained as before.
A coupé based on the 1500 was also designed
and built by Ghia with the blessing of Fiat. Around 800 examples of the
1500GT Ghia were built from 1964.
In Germany, the Fiat-owned NSU plant produced a Siata designed coupé.
The 1300 was produced until 1966 when the 124
replaced it, whilst the 1500C continued for another 12 months, replaced
by the 125. By that time around 600,000 had been
built.
Introduced
at the end of April 1961, the almost all new 1300/1500 was designed to
slot between the 1100 and 1800/2100,
both of which continued in production, whilst it superceded the 1200.
The one bodyshell, a conventional four door, three box saloon, was fitted
with either a 1295cc (65bhp) or 1481cc (72bhp) engine, a four speed gearbox
and disc brakes at the front.
1962 saw the mating of the 1500 engine to the 1800B mechanicals and bodyshell,
to produce the 1500 Taxi. The idea of a large and spacious car with a smaller
engine resulted in the 1500L (or 'Lunga') being released in 1963 as a berlina
for general sale. The berlina retained the 72bhp of the normal car, whilst
the Taxi's engine was derated to 60bhp.
1500 cabriolets were also produced, though only related to the 1300/1500 family
through the engine. These are covered on our 'Cabriolets' page.
 |
 |
Technical Details
| Driveline | longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive |
| Engine | 1295cc (72x79.5mm) ohv 4-cyl in-line with 65bhp @ 5,200rpm
1481cc (77x79.5mm) ohv 4-cyl in-line with 72bhp @ 5,200rpm (in 1500C with 75bhp @ 5,400rpm, picture) lubrication system |
| Suspension | front : Independent, lower wishbone, coil spring and telescopic damper plus anti-roll bar
rear : solid axle with telescopic dampers and leaf springs wheelbase : 2420mm (1500L : 2650mm)(1500C : 2505mm) front track : 1295mm (1500L : 1345mm) rear track : 1272mm (1500L : 1307mm) |
| Brakes | front : discs, diameter 236mm
front callipers had three pistons, a single inner (diameter 48mm) and two outers (diameter 34mm each). rear : drums, diameter 250mm (1500L : discs) handbrake operating on the rear via a cable |
| Gearbox | 4 speed manual
hydraulically operated single dry plate clutch, diameter 184mm |
| Steering | worm and roller
3 turns lock-tp-lock turning circle diameter : 10.4m |
| Kerb weight | 1300/1500 : 960kg
1500C : 980kg 1500L : 1200kg |
| Dimensions | saloon |
Performance
| model | max speed | 0-100 km/h | standing km | Braking (from 100km/h) |
| 1500C (1965) | 156 km/h | 13.8 sec | 35.75 sec | 56.7 m |
For books on Fiats see our Online Bookstore
There is also a list of all our picture galleries (including museums,
motorshows and various events).
Wallpapers/Desktop Backgrounds of numerous Fiats also available to download.
1300/1500 comment form
Your Comments
My brother had a 1500 mkIII.
He built it up from its neglected state, but after two failed registration
attempts gave up on it. It was buried by my bother's vindictive ex-wife
last year (literally). What a shame! They had some beuatiful standard features,
such as the finned rear drums and 3-spot front calipers and were roomy
and well-equipped. (Tristan, Australia)
As a hobby, I own two Fiat 1300 cars, sedan and station wagon (and a third one for spare parts). In
my view, it's a very pleasent car, and it represents in many aspects the
era of the early 60's. (Eli J, Israel)
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