Fiat 238

The Fiat 238 was a front-wheel-drive van built by the Italian firm Fiat from 1967 through 1983. It was introduced as the successor to the Fiat 1100T and used an under-seat transverse engine, a layout that followed from its Autobianchi Primula chassis, with a downtuned version of that car's 1,221 cc petrol engine. A year after launch the engine was replaced by the 1,197 cc unit of the Fiat 124, and a 1,438 cc option from the Fiat 124 Special followed. The 238 was sold in many body styles for utility work and for carrying people, and it was also built for a time by Neckar-Fiat in Germany. Its low, flat floor made it a popular base for motorhome conversions by firms such as Westfalia and Weinsberg. Fiat kept it in the range alongside the larger 242 until the Ducato replaced it in 1983.