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.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 4 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| Automobile-Catalog — Fiat 1900 first-series specifications www.automobile-catalog.com | Specialist technical reference |













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