Fiat 133
| SEAT 133 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Fiat 133 |
| Production | 1974–1982 |
| Assembly |
Spain, SEAT Argentina, Fiat |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | City car (A) |
| Body style | Two-door saloon |
| Layout | RR layout |
| Related |
Fiat 850 Fiat 126 Fiat 127 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 843 cc straight-4 34-37 PS 903 cc straight-4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 79.125 in (2,009.8 mm) |
| Length | 135.875 in (3,451.2 mm) |
| Width | 56 in (1,400 mm) |
| Height | 52.25 in (1,327 mm) |
| Curb weight | 690 kg (1521 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | SEAT 600 |
| Successor |
SEAT Panda Fiat Panda (for European exports) Fiat 147 |
The SEAT 133 was a small rear-engine car designed and sold by SEAT in Spain from 1974 to 1979. The car used the chassis and engine of the by then defunct Fiat/SEAT 850 and featured a new body in the style of the contemporary, somewhat smaller and only indirectly related Fiat 126.
The car was first exhibited at the Barcelona Motor Show in May 1974. Noteworthy at that time was the compression ratio of only 8:1, which permitted the car to run on 85 octane petrol/gasoline. This was still appropriate in Spain, but elsewhere in western Europe even "regular" fuel grades by now generally guaranteed a higher minimum octane rating.
The 133's design premise was that it had to be a cheap car both to develop and build. Thus, the final product inherited most of its components from the SEAT 850 (or very closely related Fiat 850). As with the 850, it was a rear-wheel drive, rear-engined car, a layout a that was being replaced by a trend for front-engined, front-wheel drive hatchbacks like the Renault 5 and Fiat's own Fiat 127.
The 133 effectively replaced the SEAT 850 and the SEAT 600 both of which had been produced in considerable numbers with around 800,000 of the more venerable 600 built – almost exclusively for the domestic market - by 1974.
It was developed in Spain by SEAT, with which Italian company Fiat had signed an agreement of collaboration in the 1950s. Initially the 133 was only sold in Spain and did not enjoy great success, since it suffered from frequent overheating problems. It was intended to replace the old 600 and 850 models, and was also meant to provide a means for SEAT to open new markets and make up for the loss of sales in Spain that would come with the disappearance of the restrictions in car imports during the 1970s: it later enjoyed success in other parts of the world, such as Egypt for example, where the car is still in service.
Reflecting the rear engine lay-out, there was just a small well for parcels behind the back seats, with more room for luggage under the 'bonnet/hood' at the front of the car.
...
Wikipedia