Fiat 1500 car range and history (1935-1950)

Vehicle technical details
Manufacturer:	Fiat
Production:	1935 to 1950
Class:	motor car
Designer:	Mario Revelli of Beaumont
Total production:	43,964
Assembly plants:	Italy
Top speed:	115 kmh
Body and chassis
Body styles:	saloon
Doors:	4 door
Chassis/body:	Steel
Suspension:	independent front
Engine and Powertrain
Drive:	rear
Engine Type:	six-cylinder in-line engine
Displacement:	1 493  c m³
Engine location:	front
Engine power:	45-47 hp
Transmission:	4 speed
Steering:	worm and roller
Electrical:	12 volt
Brakes:	Hydraulic on all wheels
Fuel:	petrol down draught carb
Wheels:	3.00 x16"
Weights and Dimensions
Wheelbase:	9ft 2"
Track:	front 4ft 3", rear 4ft 4"
Length:	4465  mm
Width:	1562 mm
Height:	1524 mm
Weight:	1200  k g

The 1500 is a car produced by the Italian car manufacturer  FIAT from 1935 to 1950 .

History

Presented September 5, 1935 at the facilities of the Lingotto and two months later presented again at the motor show in Milan , the "1500" introduced in the Italian automobile world a new concept, the with aerodynamics ( was the first car studied in the wind tunnel ), following the example of the American Chrysler Airflow of the previous year. For the time a true revolution that Fiat will also introduce on the smaller 500 "Topolino" and 1100 "Nuova Balilla" .Access was easy due to the suicide type opening doors without centre post (Pillarless)on a strengthened chassis, the transmission shaft also running through a hollow centre in the chassis .Another novelty is its engine , a six- cylinder in-line engine with overhead valves of 1 493  c m³ ( bore 65  m m , stroke 75 mm) compression ratio 5.6 and 45 hp (about 33  k W ). The front suspension, with independent wheels and double acting hydaulic shock absorber , is also a new concept . Maximum speed of 115 kilometers per hour .

In addition to the saloon version , the "1500" was also available with a chassis , to be bodied at will. It was acquired by the Regia Aeronautica with a rigid cabin and a canopy roof . One of the most interesting models on the 1500 chassis is an aerodynamic coupé with the Milanese Touring .

After four years and around 25 000 units produced, at the end of 1938 was presented with the second series of "1500", the B . Few changes compared to the first series, among which the most important is the strengthening of the brakes .The "1500 B" does not last a little more than a year, since in March 1940 the 1500 C is presented , with the front redesigned and inspired by that of the Fiat flagship, the 2800 .

The Second World War interrupted the production of the "1500 C", which resumed immediately after the war. It will remain in production until 1948 , when it arrives the fourth series of the 1500s, signed with the letter D . Numerous are the innovations introduced in this series, whose project also involved Dante Giacosa : engine upgraded to 47  HP (about 34.6  kW ), a new steering wheel and new front suspensions. Maximum speed passed to 120 kilometers per hour.2,834 are the examples produced of the fourth series "1500D" 

In 1949 , on the occasion of the Fiera del Levante in Bari , the 1500 E is presented , which differs from the previous series due to some aesthetic changes, mainly determined by the disappearance of the external spare wheel , now housed in a special compartment (also having functions of luggage compartment ) accessible from the outside and integrated into the rear part of the bodywork . Other changes concern the bumpers (strengthened), the arrival of the second synchronized speed and the adoption of the gearbox control with steering wheel lever, according to the prevailing "American" fashion. The "1500 E" will last a few months: in fact in 1950 its heir, the 1400 , will be ready, the first new-design Fiat of the post-war period.The fifth series "1500E" total production 1,691 

Globally, there are 43,964 Fiat 1500s produced in Italy.