Fiat 1100/103H LUSSO (1960) CHASSIS N° 724157, ENGINE: 4 CYLINDER IN LINE, DISPLACEMENT: 1089 CM3, ORIGINAL POWER: 50 BHP, BODY: SALOON, GEARBOX: MANUAL, DRIVE: LHD, A 1100 WOLF IN SHEEP CLOTHING
That of the Fiat 1100 is a long family line, going back to the 508C of 1937. This car was mildly adapted and proposed in the post-war years, but a whole new model was created and launched in 1953. The 1100/103 was a brand new monocoque motor car, but the engine was still strongly related to the pre-war 1100, and it was so good that it lasted for a quarter century. The new model had a three-box ‘ponton’ saloon body. The 103 had a successful run from 1953 to 1962 and more than a million units, produced in a host of series, such as the E, the D and finally the H. It played an important role in this country’s industrialization and motorization process. The displacement under 1100 cm3 was fiscally advantageous, and some versions were created with more luxury even if the car was small: one such car was the 1100/103H, often produced with a duo-tone livery. The car on sale today started life as a comfortable and serious 1100H Lusso model, but in recent years it has been restored and tuned for racing by its owner, the boss of a well known restoration business. The engine has been tuned for more power, and the body has been lightened: in any case the car will be sold with a host of original parts with which the new owner will be able to bring it back to factory condition. The 1100 has been used in rallyes, hillclimbs and regularity meetings with great gusto, and is ready for a new owner to enjoy. The vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition but for safety reasons, we advise the purchaser to have it checked over and to replace the fluids, filters and perishable elements.