1957 Fiat 1100 Turismo Veloce

At the March 1953 Geneva Motor Show, Fiat introduced one of its first postwar automobile designs - the Nuovo 1100 (internally designated 1100/103). It succeeded the Fiat 1100 E of prewar heritage and its unit-body construction was concealed by a modern body design that was fresh and elegant. Beneath the bonnet was Fiat's yeoman 1,089-cc four-cylinder engine that had a legacy dating to the 508 C Balilla 1100 of 1937.

The more sporting 1100 TV (for Turismo Veloce or 'Fast Touring') premiered in October 1953 at the Paris Salon with an improved Tipo 103.006 engine initially offering 48 horsepower at 5,400 RPM (12 additional horsepower over the standard engine). The increase in output was due to an increase in compression from 6.7:1 to 7.4:1 and a twin-choke Weber carburetor. To dampen torsional vibrations, the propeller shaft was a two-piece unit (instead of a one-piece). By the close of 1954, output had risen to 50 rated horsepower.

Fiat's Carrozzerie Speciali 'special bodies department' created the TV's bodyshell under the guidance of Fiat's head designer, Giovanni Zoboli. They were outfitted with several distinguishable features that set them apart from the standard bodyshell. It had differently shaped tail lamps, prominent rear wings, a single front fog lamp inset in the grille, and a larger, curved rear window.

The exteriors were painted in a two-tone livery, with the wheel rims and roof in a contrasting color. The interiors housed two-tone cloth and vinyl, a tortoiseshell celluloid two-spoke steering wheel, and color-coded fully carpeting floors. The standard bench seat could be replaced with reclining bucket seats (a feature offered through the end of 1954).

The TV's effectiveness was demonstrated with class victories at the 1954 and 1955 Mille Miglia and overall victory at the 1954 Cape Town to Algiers trans-African rally. Three Fiat 1100/103 E TV's were built by Fiat's competition department for the 1957 Mille Miglia - the final of the storied race from Brescia to Rome and back. With specially tuned engines developing 55 horsepower and equipped with a twin-choke Weber 36 DCLD 3 sand-cast carburetor, they raced in the Tourism Special Class 1300 cc and Turismo Preparato (Touring Prepared) class. These works cars won both the Touring Special 1100 (Mandrini/Bertrassi) and Touring Prepared 1100 classes (Faggi).

Fiat updated the entire range of 1100/103 models in June 1956 to type code 103 E designation. The Turismo Veloce's compression increased to 8:1 resulting in a slight increase of three horsepower. TV styling was updated similarly to the standard saloons with new chrome trim and a new radiator grille with rectangular driving lamps positioned under each headlight. The exterior wore contrasting paint schemes and the interior received two-tone seat upholstery, a new dashboard with a strip speedometer, a lower padded fascia, and an ivory plastic steering wheel. The new fold-down rear backrest improved luggage space along with the relocation of the spare tire to under the floor.

Fiat 1100 TV Trasformabile
Fiat introduced a two-seat roadster body style (called the 'Trasformabile') in March of 1955 at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the 1100 TV mechanical components, it wore a drop-top style body created by Fiat's Dipartimento Carrozzerie Derivate e Speciali with styling by the department's head engineer and designer Fabio Luigi Rapi.

A total of 571 examples were built as 'first series' Trasformabiles along with 450 examples of the 'second series.' The latter was introduced in 1956 with a slightly more powerful engine (offering three additional horsepower) along with a modified rear suspension.

The 1957 version came with a larger, 1,221cc engine and a name change to 1200 Trasformabile. Production lasted until 1959 with around 2,360 examples built.

Fiat 1100 TV coupé Pinin Farina
Carrozzeria Pininfarina offered its own two-door 2+2 coupé on the 1100 TV platform from 1954 to 1956 with approximately 780 examples built. First displayed at the 1953 Paris Salon, the one-off coupe was later entered by Umberto Agnelli at a race event held in 1954 near Turin, the Orbassano 6 hours Cup.

The Pinin Farina-bodied TV Coupes wore steel bodies with aluminum doors, boot lid, and bonnet (hood). In 1955, the design was updated with a panoramic (wraparound) rear window.

Carrozzeria Vignale
Alfredo Vignale established Carrozzeria Vignale in 1948 and it quickly earned a reputation for its modern styling and elegant creations. Catapulted to the distinction of being one of Italy's premier custom coachbuilders, they created several bodies for Fiat's Nuovo 1100 including a coupe for the 1953 Turin Show. Many of the body styles were penned by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Vignale, including the Desiree, Printemps, Charmant, Elite, and Wonderful, along with station wagons and even a taxi.

It is believed that around three examples of the Fiat 100/103 E TV Desiree Coupe were built.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2023