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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 1900 Western Arrow Coupé

1952Coachwork by Bertone

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1952–1953
Body style
Coupé
Engine
Inline-4
Type
Fuori-serie
Displacement
1,901 cc

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Fiat 1900 Western Arrow Coupé is a striking example of mid-century Italian automotive design, introduced by Bertone at the 1953 Turin Motor Show. Designed by the talented Giovanni Michelotti, this car is essentially an enlarged version of the Fiat 1400 St. Leger Coupé, with distinct stylistic upgrades that made it stand out among its contemporaries. The Fiat 1900, a model aimed at offering more power and space compared to the Fiat 1400, was enhanced by Bertone’s design expertise to create a more refined and visually appealing vehicle. The Western Arrow Coupé’s design retained many of the elegant and smooth lines seen in the Fiat 1400 St. Leger, but Michelotti added his own signature touch, giving the car a more sophisticated and aerodynamic profile. One of the most noticeable features of the Fiat 1900 Western Arrow is its sleek, low-slung body. The proportions were carefully considered to provide a sense of balance and grace, with a long hood and a rear that tapers slightly, giving the car an elegant yet dynamic look. The use of chrome accents, particularly around the grille and trim, added an element of luxury to the design, while the rear end featured a stylish, rounded form that complimented the overall silhouette. Under the hood, the Fiat 1900 offered a 1.9-liter inline-four engine, delivering a respectable 65 horsepower, which made it a solid performer for its time. The coupé was built with both style and practicality in mind, offering a comfortable interior with enough space for four passengers, while the car’s agile handling ensured an enjoyable driving experience. Though the Fiat 1900 Western Arrow Coupé was never produced in large numbers, it remains a beautiful example of Bertone’s work in the 1950s, showcasing Giovanni Michelotti’s flair for design. Today, the car is a cherished collector’s item, representing a key moment in the history of Italian coachbuilding.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Fuori-serie
Production from
1952
Production to
1953
Production notes
Keep 1952 model/build chronology qualified and 1953 Turin presentation separately. Western Arrow alias remains qualified; do not merge with listing 50226 Fiat 1400 Cabriolet.

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-4
Displacement
1,901 cc
Transmission
Manual 5-speed
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
Confidence detail moved from confidence: high base/show chronology; medium alias | Source-backed donor/model-level baseline for Fiat 1900 first series (1952–1954): Inline-4, 1901 cc, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive. Factory power differed by body/configuration, so horsepower, body dimensions, weight and maximum speed are intentionally not inherited.

Design & manufacture

Designer · Documented
Giovanni Michelotti
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Bertone
Manufacturer · Documented
Fiat

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

CI listing 50224 represents a later Fiat 1900 Coupé project distinct from the 1951 Fiat1400 Western Arrow. Its field year 1952 and narrative Turin 1953 presentation should be stored separately; the exact period use of Western Arrow on this Coupé remains to be confirmed. General · Unreviewed
Date
1952
Chassis
General
35° Salone Internazionale dell'Automobile – Torino General · legacy_preserved
Date
1953
Chassis
General

Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events. No award inferred.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Automobile-Catalog — Fiat 1900 first-series specifications www.automobile-catalog.com Specialist technical reference

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history2 dated records
  1. Unassigned chassis · Event

    CI listing 50224 represents a later Fiat 1900 Coupé project distinct from the 1951 Fiat1400 Western Arrow. Its field year 1952 and narrative Turin 1953 presentation should be stored separately; the exact period use of Western Arrow on this Coupé remains to be confirmed.

THE CONVERSATION

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