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1962/63 Fiat 1500 (L)
Fiat 1500/1500 L, inline four-cylinder, 1481 cm3, 77 x 79.5 mm, crankshaft with triple bearings, cylinder head, aluminum, compression ratio 8.8:1, mixture preparation, twin carburetors, 111 Nm at
3200 rpm,
49 kW (67 hp) at 5200 rpm, front-engine with rear-wheel drive, four-speed, steering-wheel shift, wheelbase 2420/2650 mm, front suspension: double wishbone, rear suspension: solid axle, leaf springs, steering:
worm,
roller, brakes front/rear: discs, length 4030/4485 mm, width 1546/1620 mm, height 1440/1470 mm, tires: 5.90-14 (4.5''), tank capacity, 60 liters, unladen weight 980/1200 kg incl. driver, permissible total weight
1,350/1,680
kg, max. speed, approx. 140 km/h, purchase price 1500 L approx. 7,500 DM, from 1962/63, variant, convertible.
The two images above and below show the 1963 Fiat 1500 L, recognizable from the front by its simple headlights. Although well-equipped, its front end was simpler than that of the 1500 shown below, as it was
a more
refined version of the taxi driver's version.
The front end remained the same. Otherwise, the 'L' stood for the long-wheelbase version, which was launched a year later than the Fiat 1500. A significantly different car, only the front end remained the same.
The
passenger compartment and rear were derived from the Fiat 1800 B and 2300, respectively.
There were minor problems because the engine was carried over, a 1500 cc, for a body that was more than 200 kg heavier. In addition, the engine was optimized for fuel consumption in the 1500, but this
version was
somewhat less powerful and therefore not suitable for the 1500 L.
Whoever bought this car obviously needed a lot of space, but should have been careful about its performance. That probably wasn't possible in the city, which made the car thirsty here. Otherwise, the
purchase price was
also low compared to the competition.
Especially since it was superior in terms of features, such as disc brakes all around, which was anything but standard in the mid-range at the time. And the fact that the fan could be switched on and off
electromagnetically was also unprecedented. This also saved power and energy.
Maintenance intervals of 10,000 km were also not yet the norm. In 1964, the car received the 55 kW (75 hp) engine of the 1500 C. A year later, a three-phase generator, a closed cooling system, and the
elimination of grease nipples on the joints were added.
The car was received accordingly positively by the motor trade press, even comparing it to the Opel Rekord 1700 and the Ford 17M. They simply appreciated the little helpers like reclining seats, grab handles, a fold-out
center armrest, and ample ashtrays.
The only points of criticism, as in the car test video below, were the engine, which had to work a bit too hard and then became loud, as well as the heavy steering and the slightly overly hard suspension. However, it's truly
impressive how composed the body remained.
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