1959 FIAT/Familiare 1.8L 4MT RWD (73 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Fiat started to increase its lineup, offering bigger cars for families and the middle class. The 1800/2100 was more than a simple family needed.

While most customers aimed for fuel-efficient cars without too much power under the hood, and models such as the Fiat 1100 were enough for them, some asked for more. In the late ’50s, the Italian carmaker introduced the 1800 model as an executive sedan or a station wagon.

The station-wagon, named Familiare in the Italian manufacturer lineup, featured the same front fascia with its sedan sibling. The era of round headlights was still en-vogue, and it didn’t seem to fade away too soon. The fenders were flush to the doors, and the arrow-like shape above the headlamps was something special for those times. The hood was still lower than the surrounding elements, while the chromed metallic grille was considered a premium-like item. The long roof was ended in a raked D-pillar, with a split-open tailgate in the back. The lower part could have been used as a bench.

The interior was fitted with either two individual seats or a profiled bench where three adult passengers could sit comfortably. There was plenty of room in the back due to the big wheelbase, but the center occupant had to deal with the transmission tunnel. With its steering-column mounted gear selector, the 1800/2100 designers tried to offer free pass across the vehicle.

Under the hood, the car was fitted with a choice of two six-pot engines. The base model offered a 1.8-liter displacement while the bigger one was the 2.1-liter. Later on, a cheaper, four-pot unit was installed with a 1.5-liter displacement.