1950 FiatCabriolet 1.9L 5MT (63 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Fiat introduced the 1400 model lineup in 1950 in two versions: four-door sedan and convertible, mainly targeting European customers.

Just five years after WWII, the Italian automaker started getting back on its feet. The 1400 lineup was significant not only because it expanded the automaker’s range but also because it was exported. In addition, Fiat sold the license to build this vehicle to other carmakers. But, unfortunately, the decision to not make the 1400 in an RHD configuration banned the car from the UK market.

While its four-door sedan sibling was created around a unibody construction, the convertible had to rely on a mixed platform with a chassis underneath. Still, the main design elements were shared with its closed-bodywork brother. It featured the same rounded shapes with a pair of round headlights at the front that flanked a wide, egg-crate grille at the front. From its sides, the open-top version of the 1400 revealed its almost straight-up windscreen. Since the automaker tried to make the vehicle a four-seater, it couldn’t conceal the rag top when it was retracted. Thus, that stayed exposed behind the rear bench.

Fiat installed a bench seat at the front and another at the back. Thus, the car could accommodate up to five persons for brief journeys. At the front, the dashboard was simple and effective in hosting the equipment ordered by customers. Thanks to the column-mounted shifter for the manual gearbox, there was plenty of legroom for three occupants, although the automaker recommended just two. In the back, the bench was wide but not very comfortable if it was filled with more than two adult-sized occupants.

Under the hood, Fiat installed a newly developed 1.4-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine paired with a four-speed manual. Later, in 1954, the Italian automaker introduced a five-speed manual, which was unusual for those times.