FIAT

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1899 – THE DEED OF INCORPORATION

On 11 July 1899, at Palazzo Bricherasio, the deed of incorporation of the “Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino” was signed. Thirty shareholders subscribed share capital of 800,000 lire. Among the members of the board of directors was Giovanni Agnelli, who immediately stood out thanks to his unique dynamism.

1900 – FIAT 3 1/2 HP In 1900, Fiat’s first factory was inaugurated at Corso Dante 35. Its 12,000 sq m premises employed 150 workers. During that year, thirty 3 1/2 HP cars were built, a two/three-seater “vis à vis” model. A small curiosity: the car was not yet equipped with reverse gear.

1902 – FIAT 24 HP CORSA At the first Giro d’Italia Automobilistico, 9 Fiat cars all reached the finish line. In 1902, the 24 HP Corsa was presented, Fiat’s first true competition car. Driven by Vincenzo Lancia, it won the Sassi-Superga hill climb. At the second Giro d’Italia Automobilistico, Giovanni Agnelli set the record in a Fiat 8 HP.

1906 – FIAT 40 HP CORSA By 1906, Fiat employees had risen to 2,500 and exports accounted for two thirds of production; in the United States Fiat gained market share, while in Italy it took over the Ansaldi workshops, used for the production of light 4-cylinder cars. Vincenzo Lancia won the Coppa d’Oro in Milan, while Mathis, driving a Fiat 40 HP, won the Targa d’Oro of the Herkomer Cup.

1908 – FIAT 1 FIACRE In 1908, the Fiat 1 Fiacre was born, with 1,600 examples produced. The vehicle, intended for public transport, was adopted in New York, London, Paris and many other cities. With this vehicle, Fiat used for the first time the “boat” type power unit, in which the engine incorporated the gearbox in the crankcase.

1910 – FIAT TIPO 3 In 1910, Fiat completely renewed its production range: the Tipo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were born, featuring electric accumulators for the first time. With the Tipo 3, also known as the 20-30 HP, Fiat adopted cardan-shaft transmission, a Fiat patent. In competition, Fiat cars won the Spanish RAC Cup, set numerous distance records in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Narbeth, and won in five categories on Argentine tracks.

1911 – FIAT 300 HP RECORD Fiat built the 300 HP Record specifically to break the world speed record. Its 28,353 cc engine, with a 25 cm stroke, produced 290 horsepower. In 1911, driven by Pietro Bordino, it reached 200 km/h at Brooklands and Saltburn. In April 1912, at Long Island, it covered the mile at 290 km/h.

1912 – FIAT ZERO 1912 was the year of the Zero, also known as the 12/15 HP, the first small-displacement car built in series: around two thousand were produced. In 1915, its final year of production, it would be equipped with an electrical system. Also in 1912, Fiat Lubrificanti was founded, while in Russia the first Italian branch was established for the construction of cars and spare parts.

1915 FIAT 501 In 1915, Fiat produced around 1,000 examples of the medium-sized Fiat 501, almost all supplied to the Royal Army. With this car, Fiat abandoned the “boat” solution. The bodywork showed a wider rear bench seat, allowing three people to be accommodated.

1919 – FIAT 501 In 1919, the 501 utility car was presented, produced under the technical direction of Avvocato Carlo Cavalli. It was a success: 45,000 units were sold in Italy and worldwide. Magneti Marelli was also founded in the same year. Returning to records, a convoy of 23 Fiat 15 Ter trucks completed the first motorised crossing of the Sahara, covering three thousand kilometres without mechanical trouble.

1920 SENATOR AGNELLI AND HENRY FORD In 1920, Senator Agnelli became president of Fiat. That year, his visit to the Ford plants in America convinced him that mass production was the only possible way to reduce the prohibitive cost of cars. A small technical note: Fiat introduced the 4-speed gearbox, enabling gradients of 28% to be overcome.

1922 THE LINGOTTO In 1922, the Lingotto plant was inaugurated. The factory, covering a total area of 153,000 sq m, was built over five floors and completed by an advanced test track on the roof. Among the various models produced, the luxurious Fiat 519 stood out: a 6-cylinder car of 4,766 cc, equipped with brakes on all four wheels, hydraulic brake servo and a steering wheel adjustable in height and reach. The engine featured overhead valves, a solution derived from competition cars.

1925 FIAT 509 In 1925, the factory was expanded to 350,000 sq m. At the Milan Motor Show, the 509 was presented, Fiat’s first utility car produced in large series. It cost from 16,000 to 25,000 lire. Three versions were derived from it: “Sportive”, “Taxi” and “Commerciale”. The launch of the car coincided with the establishment of the SAVA finance company.

1927 FIAT 806 CORSA In 1927, the Fiat 520 was born, with a 2,244 cc six-cylinder engine. In addition to distributor ignition, it introduced a major novelty: left-hand drive. Pietro Bordino won the Monza Grand Prix in the 806 Corsa. From the following year, Fiat became the first car manufacturer in the world to fit aluminium cylinder heads as standard on its engines.

1932 – FIAT 508 BALILLA In 1932, the three-speed 508, also known as the Balilla, made its official debut at the Milan Motor Show. For Fiat, it represented the most popular car produced since the company’s foundation; the saloon version cost 10,800 lire. The engine was a four-cylinder unit, equipped with hydraulic brakes, quick uphill and very solid. It was also called the “minimum fare” because of its low fuel consumption, 8 litres per 100 km.

1934 – FIAT BALILLA 4 MARCE At the 1934 Motor Show, the four-speed Balilla was presented. Three months after the debut of the saloon version, with 2 or 4 doors, the Spider and Torpedo models were also launched. A total of 113,000 units would be produced.

1935 – FIAT 1500 In 1935, with the Fiat 1500, years of aerodynamic research were put into practice. In addition to its innovative styling, the car featured a 6-cylinder overhead-valve engine, independent front suspension and a tubular chassis.

1936 – FIAT 500 In 1936, the 500 was born, immediately nicknamed “Topolino”. It was the smallest mass-produced car in the world. From 1936 to 1955, over 510,000 units would be built. Its rounded lines broke with the tradition of the square-shaped car, while the lightweight metal body allowed very fluid production. In the same year, construction began on the Mirafiori industrial complex.

1938 – FIAT 508C MILLE MIGLIA In 1938, the Fiat 508C Mille Miglia made its debut. It was the first Fiat with full-width body sides. As soon as it took to the track, it won its category and set a record: 1,620 kilometres at an average speed of 112 km/h.

1939 – TORINO MIRAFIORI In 1939, the Turin Mirafiori plant was inaugurated. It covered one million square metres, 300,000 of which were under roof. It employed 22,000 workers over two shifts. That year, the Fiat 1100 Musone was presented.

1945 – SENATOR GIOVANNI AGNELLI In 1945, Senator Giovanni Agnelli died.

1946 – VITTORIO VALLETTA In 1946, Vittorio Valletta, after passing through all stages of the company hierarchy, took over the leadership of Fiat. During his presidency, numerous successful cars were produced.

1948 – FIAT 500 BELVEDERE In 1948, the 500 B was presented at the Geneva Motor Show, in berlinetta and giardinetta versions. The Turin Motor Show instead saw the debut of the Giardinetta Belvedere, a four-seat utility car intended for mixed passenger and goods use. The bodywork was made of metal, wood and Masonite.

1949 – FIAT 500 C In 1949, the 500 C, 1100 E and 1500 E models were born. The 1100 E introduced a column-mounted gearshift and a synchronised second gear. The 500 C featured important innovations such as the standard interior heating and windscreen demisting system.

1950 – FIAT 1400 The year 1950 opened with the debut of a new Fiat with unitary bodywork, the 1400, the first substantially new post-war Fiat in both style and mechanics. Ventilation and heating systems were standard.

1951 – FIAT CAMPAGNOLA In 1951, built according to the Jeep layout, the Fiat Campagnola made its debut at the Fiera del Levante in Bari. Also produced in military version, AR 51, it adopted a front-mounted 1,901 cc engine, four-wheel drive, engageable front axle and reduction gearbox. In 1952, the Campagnola completed the north-south crossing of Africa in 11 days, 4 hours and 54 minutes, setting a world record.

1952 – FIAT 8 V In 1952, at the Geneva Motor Show, Fiat launched a two-seat berlinetta with high performance and advanced aerodynamic features: the 8V, the first Fiat produced with independent suspension on all four wheels. The 1900 saloon and 1900 Granluce were also presented, the latter featuring an early example of automatic transmission, with a hydraulic coupling placed between engine and clutch.

1953 – FIAT 1400 DIESEL In 1953, Fiat employees had risen to 71,000, while share capital stood at 57 billion lire. The first diesel-powered Fiat was presented, the 1400 diesel, fitted with the engine from the 615 van. The Campagnola also adopted a diesel engine.

1955 – FIAT 600 In 1955, the Fiat 600 was launched at the Geneva Motor Show: the great people’s car, with rear engine, independent suspension on all four wheels and self-supporting body structure. Up to 1960, more than 950,000 units would be produced, including the “Multipla” version, rising to 4,034,000 if licence-built cars are included.

1957 – NUOVA FIAT 500 In the summer of 1957, Fiat presented the Nuova 500. It adopted a rear-mounted, air-cooled two-cylinder engine. In 1960, the range was expanded with the 500 Giardinetta, a brilliant anticipation of the station wagon style. By the end of production in 1975, 3,678,000 units would be built.

1959 – FIAT 1800 In 1959, the Fiat 1800, in saloon and estate versions, and the 2100 were presented, the latter in special saloon and cabriolet versions. The cars were equipped with transversely inclined overhead valves, synchronised gearbox, torsion bars on the front axle and a brake servo in the braking system.

1961 – FIAT 1300 In 1961, Fiat introduced the 1300 and 1500, new cars in terms of bodywork and technical solutions; they had practically identical bodies and two engines, producing 65 and 72 HP. The 1800 B, 2300 and 2300 S Coupé were also produced.

1964 – FIAT 850 In 1964, the evolution of the 600 was born: the Fiat 850, a two-door saloon with self-supporting body, rear-mounted water-cooled four-cylinder engine and independent suspension. 2,865,800 units would be built.

1966 – AVVOCATO GIOVANNI AGNELLI In 1966, Avvocato Giovanni Agnelli became the new president of the company. In the same year, the Dino Spider was presented at the Turin Motor Show. Its engine, inspired by the Ferrari engine of the same name, featured a new four-overhead-camshaft layout with limited-slip differential; the single-leaf springs in the rear suspension were also newly designed.

1967 – FIAT 124 In 1967, the Fiat 124 was “Car of the Year”. It was a five-seat saloon equipped with a completely new 1,200 cc four-cylinder engine. It was also produced in estate and spider versions, the latter designed by Pininfarina and equipped with a 1,438 cc four-cylinder engine, with twin overhead camshafts driven by a toothed belt. Also noteworthy was the birth of the four-seat Dino Coupé, designed by Bertone.

1968 – FIAT 500 LUSSO In 1968, Fiat reached sales of around one and a half million vehicles, 542,000 of which were exported. During that year it presented the 850 Special, the 850 Sport, Coupé and Spider, the 500 Lusso, the 124 and the 125 Special. Magneti Marelli developed high-energy electronic ignition. This innovative technical solution was adopted on the Fiat Dino and Ferrari Dino. Also in terms of innovation, Fiat presented the City-Taxi prototype at the Turin Motor Show, the result of no fewer than 15 patents.

1969 – FIAT DINO COUPÈ In 1969, Fiat invested over 300 billion lire in Southern Italy. It also acquired the capital of Lancia and 50% of Sefac-Ferrari. The Fiat car range was enriched by the 128, the first front-wheel-drive Fiat, and the 130, the saloon intended to represent the top of the range; the high-performance Dino Coupé 2400 was also presented.

1970 – FIAT 128 In 1970, the Fiat 128 was “Car of the Year”. Produced as a 2- or 4-door saloon and estate, it was the first Fiat to adopt a transverse 1,100 cc engine. In Russia, Fiat started production on a covered area of 1,455,000 sq m.

1971 – FIAT 127 In April 1971, the 127 was presented, destined to replace the 850. Decidedly innovative for its time, the car achieved great market success abroad as well and won the “Car of the Year” award in 1972. At the end of May 1974, the millionth 127 would be produced.

1972 – FIAT 126 In 1972, Fiat presented the new 126 utility car, the sporting X1/9, the 124 Abarth Rally and the 132, aimed at the upper market segment. This car was presented in three versions: “normale” and “special” fitted with a 1600 engine, and “special” 1800. The 132 “special”, with a wide range of optional equipment, was the first Fiat saloon to have an exterior rear-view mirror as standard.

1976 – FIAT 131 In 1976, Fiat adopted at the Turin Mirafiori plant the first automated system for coupling the body shell with the mechanical part of the car. In racing, the 131 Abarth Rally replaced the 124. After only a few months, it won the 1000 Lakes Rally.

1978 – ROBOGATE In 1978, the Ritmo made its debut with a wide choice of options ranging from air conditioning to a three-speed automatic transmission. In production, the Robogate came into operation at the Rivalta and Cassino plants, the world’s first robotic and flexible body-shell assembly system.

1979 – FIAT AUTO S.p.A. IS BORN In this year, Fiat Auto S.p.A. was established, bringing together Fiat, Lancia, Autobianchi, Abarth and Ferrari.

1980 – FIAT PANDA At the beginning of 1980, Fiat launched a new utility car, named after the likeable WWF symbol: the Panda. The body of this three-door hatchback was designed by Giugiaro. Front-wheel drive, it was available with two engines: a 650 cc air-cooled twin-cylinder and a 900 cc water-cooled four-cylinder.

1981 – FIAT ARGENTA At the end of May, Fiat presented the Argenta. The car, replacing the 132, offered three powertrain choices: 1600 petrol, 2000 petrol with electronic injection and 2500 diesel, the latter recognisable by the distinctive bulge on the bonnet. In 1982, the 2000 injection version was presented at the Turin Motor Show, equipped with “Digiplex” electronic ignition.

1983 – FIAT REGATA At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Fiat presented the Regata, one of the most important new entries in the medium-car segment. This three-box saloon offered a wide choice of versions: Regata 70 with 1300 petrol engine, Regata 85 with 1500 petrol engine, Regata 100 with 1600 petrol engine and Regata Diesel 1700. The 70 version also offered three trim levels: “Base”, “Super” and “E.S.”, the latter fitted with an engine designed to significantly reduce consumption in heavy traffic.

1984 – FIAT UNO In 1984, the Uno, presented to the international press at Cape Canaveral, was “Car of the Year”. It would later be equipped with the FIRE engine, produced at the Termoli plant and characterised by advanced technical solutions. It was the first 1000 cc engine with electronic injection. Another record for this car: it is the most produced car in Fiat history.

1985 – FIAT CROMA In 1985, the new model was the Croma, produced in five versions, from 1600 to 2000 cc petrol, 2500 diesel and 2400 turbodiesel. In 1988, the range was enriched with the first 2000 direct-injection turbodiesel engine fitted to a large-series car. Termoli 3 was inaugurated, the most automated plant in the world in the automotive sector.

1988 – FIAT TIPO In 1988, the Tipo was presented, elected “Car of the Year” in 1989. The car, a five-door hatchback saloon, was equipped with five engines, three petrol and two diesel, and offered two main trim levels: Base and Digit. Tipo production marked another achievement in Fiat technology: the “island” production line. Five years later, in 1993, the three-door 2.0 sixteen-valve version would be offered to the public.

1990 – FIAT TEMPRA In February 1990, the Tempra made its debut, a medium three-box saloon derived from the Tipo mechanics. Engines were 1300 and 1600, the latter also available in catalysed version. Later, 1800 and 2000 electronic-injection versions would be produced, also available with a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

1991 – FIAT CINQUECENTO At the end of 1991, the heir to the 126 was presented to the public: the new Cinquecento. Two engines were available: a 704 cc flat twin-cylinder and a 903 cc four-cylinder with pushrods and rocker arms.

1993 – FIAT PUNTO and FIAT PUNTO CABRIO Presented in 1993, the Punto became “Car of the Year” in 1995. Available in 14 colours and 31 versions, including GT and Cabrio. Three or five doors, three trim levels, latest-generation FIRE engines, also with 5-speed gearbox and electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.

1993 – COUPÉ FIAT Presented in December 1993, the Coupé Fiat was the synthesis of Fiat’s decades of experience in this market segment. Bodywork was created by Pininfarina and the Fiat Style Centre. The engine was a 2000 16-valve unit with counter-rotating shaft for perfect balance. 142 HP, 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds.

1994 – FIAT ULYSSE It made its debut in March 1994 at the Geneva Motor Show and entered a progressively expanding segment: MPVs. The Ulysse offered eight comfortable, fully modular seats and three power choices: naturally aspirated electronically controlled 2-litre 4-cylinder; 2-litre turbo; turbodiesel.

1995 – FIAT BARCHETTA In March 1995, the two-seat Barchetta was presented, a brilliant stylistic reference to this famous body style. Sporting and comfortable on mixed roads, agile and fluid in urban traffic, this car was equipped with a 1.8 16-valve engine, allowing it to reach 200 km/h.

1995 – FIAT BRAVO – FIAT BRAVA In 1995, the Fiat Bravo and Fiat Brava were born. For the first time in the history of Fiat Auto, two cars were presented together, different in size, design and target user, but developed from a common project base.

1996 – FIAT MAREA – FIAT MAREA WEEKEND <p”>The Tempra range was replaced by the Marea, saloon and station wagon. Soft masses. Sweeping lines. Large glazed surfaces. Perfect balance of every volume. Three multi-valve petrol engines. Three diesel engines, supercharged by turbocharger. Advanced and modern mechanics.

1997 – FIAT PALIO WEEKEND In 1997, the Fiat Palio Weekend was launched, a young and versatile car interpreting the concept of quality of life. One of its main characteristics was versatility, making it a car suitable for a wide range of activities: work, travel, sport and leisure.

1997 – FIAT MAREA BIPOWER  Fiat Marea became “Bipower”, a unique case in the Italian automotive scene, offered with a dual-fuel system: petrol and methane, the natural gas considered the cleanest and most economical alternative fuel.

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