1089cc Inline 4
4 Speed Manual
Front Engined Rear Wheel Drive
Hydraulic Front Brakes and Rear Drum
48 bhp 57 Ft-Lb
Exterior Blue Interior Tan
The origins of the Fiat 1100 date back as far as 1937 when Fiat built the 508c Balilla 1100. Over the years the engine and drivetrain of that car were updated and adapted to different platforms, before the first unibody 103 Series 1100 came about in 1953. That body style was updated and refined several times over the course of production, culminating in the 1100R, introduced in 1966 and leaving production in 1969 to be replaced by the Fiat 128. Available as a multitude of forms over the years from convertible sports cars to light panel trucks, the 103/1100 series platform was a key part of Fiat’s lineup in the 1950s and 1960s. The 1100R, being the final variant, was restyled to look a bit more like the newer Fiat 124, moving away from the more rounded shapes of the 1950s into a more angular, squared off body style. Although a 1.2 liter engine was an option on the previous generation, as a sign that the 1100 series was on its way out, the larger engine was removed as an option in order to reduce competition for the recently released Fiat 124. The 1100R engine was upgraded slightly to help compensate for losing the more powerful option but it still certainlywouldn’t be called quick. Another change that came as in the 1100R was that the gearbox lever was moved off the steering column of the previous generation to a floor mounted position, though it was still a 4 speed with no synchro on first gear.
This car was bought in Portland, Oregon and is a largely very solid, well preserved, and complete example. It had been off the road for a while but was stored very well and had some minor things that needed to be addressed when I bought it, but in general, was a usable car. In acquiring the car, the story was that it was used as an occasional runabout car for the majority of its previous owners, allowing it to remain well preserved and there’s no real signs of rust or past body repair. I had been lead to believe that the car was originally sold in Italy, but it has a Miles-Per-Hour speedometer which contradicts that, but it may have replaced a KPH unit at some time in its past. The paint is in good shape though the car has certainly been repainted, at which point an antenna hole had been filled, though its location was obvious through the paint. The best repair was to reinstall an antenna and put a radio back in the car, which is my preference anyways. Some of the original rubber seals, such as for the side rear windows had begun to split and crack, which is unsurprising for a car that is over fifty years old, but high quality, correct replacement seals are available. The interior was in good shape aside from the headliner, which had failed and come free fromthe bows, so was sagging. In driving, it does drive well and is perfectly suitable for around town and country highway use. The small engine and 4 speed gearbox make it really best for local driving.
