Fiat 1500 (1935)

The Fiat 1500 was a six-cylinder car produced by Fiat from 1935 to 1950, one of the first cars tested in a wind tunnel, following the Chrysler Airflow of the year before. Its streamlined styling achieved an aerodynamic efficiency unequalled before it in a touring car and, unlike the Airflow, it showed that aerodynamic cars could sell. Introduced at the November 1935 Milan Motor Show, it had a 1,493 cc overhead valve straight-six engine producing 45 PS at 4,400 rpm, a four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on the top two gears and a top speed of 115 km/h, and for the first time on a Fiat it had independent Dubonnet-type front suspension on an X-shaped frame. The factory offered a four-door pillarless saloon and a two-door convertible, and many chassis received coachbuilt bodies. It was improved as the 1500 B in 1939, the 1500 C in 1940, the postwar 1500 D and the 1500 E of 1949, about 46,000 were built in all, and the Fiat 1400 replaced it in 1950.