FIAT 1100D models assembled in South Africa

Hello FIAT 1100 enthusiasts.

I specialize in the Fiat 1100D models and would like to share some information from my experience, on the models assembled in South Africa.

1) Some Fiat 1100D cars assembled in South Africa had a bench type front seat, and was thinking whether it was optional extra to the standard Fiat 1100D with separate bucket front seats.

I am interested to know if anyone has information on whether any of the Fiat 1100D cars assembled in Italy, were also fitted with a bench type front seat.

2) Fiat 1100D cars assembled in South Africa had the Fiat 1100 Export bumper "OVER-RIDERS"

3) from about 1965, the tyre rims were made in South Africa, slightly wider, new size 4J x 14 inch, than the original size of 3.5J x 14 inch.

4) air filter housing for Fiat 1100D models was the optional extra, filter type for dusty conditions, with 3 air filter elements. This type of Air Filter housing had an effect on the performance of the engine, so most owners/garage workshops, removed the 2 extra "small" air filter elements, so that the engine could breathe better, and some owners/garage workshops cut the 2 extra filter housings off.

5) I would like to know if anyone has information on how many Fiat 1100D models were exported to South Africa, and if the Fiat 1100D cars were already painted before export, or if the body only had the primer paint?

Thank you
Luigino

Wery intresting!!!

compliments for your searches!!

Ciao

Here's some more info from Luigino...

Hello John

I’m sending you some photos of 2 Fiat 1100D cars taken at a Vintage scrap yard near Melmoth in South Africa.

I think they would be interesting to post regardless of their condition, because they are cars which were assembled in South Africa, and you can see the type of bumper over-riders, and 3 element air filter housing that was fitted on these cars. One model is an earlier series Fiat 1100D, and the other model a later series, can tell by the engine fitted and some difference in trimmings.

Kind Regards

Luigino

PS I'll load Luigino's photos separately...

More info from Luigino re photos...:

Both the 2 Fiat 1100d models were unique, they had different engines, early series with cartridge by-pass oil filter, (car painted red in engine bay, and missing carburettor air filter housing), the other Fiat had the spin-on by-pass filter, (white inside, with 3 air filter element).

Will you be able to show possibly all the engine photos, some are shown different angles, to show all features like RHD steering box, the chassis numbers are interesting, 1 shows the DURBAN motor assemblies tag, maybe we can show 1 photo from the rear end that shows the bumper over riders fitted to SA assembled cars. One car had blue interior and the other had red interior.





more photos to come...

I'm trying to upload other pics but am getting error messages... apologies... proving rather slow!

Durban assembly plant build plates:

Different overriders:

Really intresting!

Carburetor is Weber32 IMPE exactly the same of the italian 1100D but the intake manifold is different in the red car ( it is water heated ).

The triple air filter was an optional on italians 1100.

Ciao!!

Hi Luigino, that is very few indeed... Any idea how many earlier version 1100s were built at the East London assembly plant...? All the best, John.