Fiat 1800/2100

Fiat 2100 Berlina 1959
Fiat 1800/2100/1500L
Manufacturer	Fiat
Parent company
Production	1959-1968
Predecessor	Fiat 1900
Successor	Fiat 2300
Class
Platform
Layout	FR layout
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Engine	straight-6 1795 cc (1959 - 1968) 2054 cc (1959 - 1968) straight-4 1481 cc 1963 - 1968)
Transmission
Wheelbase	265cm 273cm (Speciale)
Length	446.5cm 475cm (Speciale) 462cm (Coupé)
Width	162cm
Height	147cm br>138cm (Coupé)
Weight	1250kg-1350kg
Fuel economy
Fuel capacity
Related	Fiat 2300 SEAT 1500
Similar	Peugeot 404 Austin A55 Mk II & A60
Designer	Pininfarina

The Fiat 1800 and 2100 are six cylinder saloons produced by Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat between 1959 and 1968. Both six cylinder models appeared in 1959: in 1963 a four cylinder 1500 cc version was added to the range. The styling closely resembled that of the Peugeot 404 and BMC's family cars of the same period: all three were designed by Pininfarina of Turin.

1800 (1959-68)

Fiat 1800

The Fiat 1800 appeared in 1959, offered as a 4-door sedan and a 5-door Station Wagon (Family). The 1800 model had a 6-cylinder in-line engine with 1795 cc and a power output of 75 hp / 55 kW delivered through a 4-speed transmission. Its maximum speed was, depending on the version, 137km/h - 142km/h. This was replaced in 1961 with the 1800 model B: the engine output was now 81 hp / 60 kW and top speed between 143km/h- 146km/h.

2100 (1959-61)

The 2100 was a version with a bigger six cylinder engine. In autumn 1959 the 2100 Speciale was, introduced with a lengthened wheelbase and different front grille. The Speciale was used by diplomats. The 2100 was discontinued in 1961 when the Fiat 2300 became available.

1500L (1963-68)

Fiat 1500L

Fiat used the body of Fiat 1800/2100 to create a new less expensive model, the Fiat 1500L introduced in 1963. To distinguish it from the 1300/1500 its name used the designation 1500L (lunga = long). The car shared with its more compact sibling Fiat's four cylinder 1481 cc engine, delivering 72 bhp, which in 1964 was increased in the second series to 75 bhp. A reduced performance version was also offered for the taxi trade. This proved popular in southern Europe, equipped with a straight-4 1481 cc petrol engine developing just 60 bhp: the low power engine permitted the transport of customers in comfort and space at urban speeds, without consuming too much fuel.

This version was made also in Spain by Seat, the Seat 1500 to nearly 200,000 copies until 1972.

It is estimated that total production in Italy, the Fiat range 1800/2100 is 150,000 copies.

Engines

Model	Years	Engine	Displacement	Power	Fuel system
1800	1959-61	straight-6 ohv	1795 cc	75 hp	single carburetor
1800B	1962-68	straight-6 ohv	1795 cc	86 hp	single carburetor
2100	1959-61	straight-6 ohv	2054 cc	82 hp	single carburetor
1500L	1963-67	straight-4 ohv	1481 cc	75 hp	single carburetor

References

• Fiat Personenwagen, by Fred Steiningen, 1994. ISBN 3-923448-37-6