SEAT 133

SEAT 133
Overview
Also called Fiat 133
Production 1974–1982
Assembly Spain, SEAT
Argentina, Fiat
Body and chassis
Class City car (A)
Body style Two-door saloon
Layout RR layout
Related Fiat 850
Fiat 126
Fiat 127
Powertrain
Engine 843 cc straight-4 34-37 PS
903 cc straight-4[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 79.125 in (2,009.8 mm)
Length 135.875 in (3,451.2 mm)
Width 56 in (1,400 mm)
Height 52.25 in (1,327 mm)
Curb weight 690 kg (1521 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor SEAT 600[1]
Successor SEAT Panda
Fiat Panda (for European exports)
Fiat 147

The SEAT 133 was a small rear-engine car designed and sold by SEAT in Spain from 1974 to 1979. The car used the chassis and engine of the by then defunct Fiat/SEAT 850 and featured a new body in the style of the contemporary, somewhat smaller and only indirectly related Fiat 126.[2]

The car was first exhibited at the Barcelona Motor Show in May 1974.[3] Noteworthy at that time was the compression ratio of only 8:1, which permitted the car to run on 85 octane petrol/gasoline.[3] This was still appropriate in Spain, but elsewhere in western Europe even "regular" fuel grades by now generally guaranteed a higher minimum octane rating.[3]

The 133's design premise was that it had to be a cheap car both to develop and build. Thus, the final product inherited most of its components from the SEAT 850 (or very closely related Fiat 850). As with the 850, it was a rear-wheel drive, rear-engined car, a layout a that was being replaced by a trend for front-engined, front-wheel drive hatchbacks like the Renault 5 and Fiat's own Fiat 127.

SEAT 133

The 133 effectively replaced the SEAT 850 and the SEAT 600 both of which had been produced in considerable numbers with around 800,000 of the more venerable 600 built – almost exclusively for the domestic market - by 1974.[1]

It was developed in Spain by SEAT, with which Italian company Fiat had signed an agreement of collaboration in the 1950s. Initially the 133 was only sold in Spain and did not enjoy great success, since it suffered from frequent overheating problems. It was intended to replace the old 600 and 850 models, and was also meant to provide a means for SEAT to open new markets and make up for the loss of sales in Spain that would come with the disappearance of the restrictions in car imports during the 1970s: it later enjoyed success in other parts of the world, such as Egypt for example, where the car is still in service.

Reflecting the rear engine lay-out, there was just a small well for parcels behind the back seats, with more room for luggage under the 'bonnet/hood' at the front of the car.

Up to 200,000 SEAT 133s had been produced by 1979 in Spain. A further 15,821 were made in the Fiat/Sevel Plant at Córdoba in Argentina between 1977 and 1982.[4]

In April 1977, it was announced that Egypt was about to become the world's 32nd car-producing country. This followed the signing of an agreement for the shipment of ckd kits from Seat's Barcelona plant to the Helwan premises of the Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company for assembly, in order to supply the Egyptian market and for export to Iraq.[5]

The SEAT 133 was exported to Germany from the autumn/Fall of 1974:[1] there it found some success among rear-wheel-drive loyalists in the mid-seventies. It was also sold in Britain from June 1975.[6] These countries had no SEAT dealership network at the time, and the cars were branded as Fiat 133s, to be marketed alongside the Fiats 126 and 127.

Fiat 133

Fiat 133

Fiat 133 was the name used for the car in certain export markets where the SEAT brand was unknown. Around 127,000 units were exported, mostly under the Fiat name.

From 1977 to 1980 the Fiat Argentine subsidiary built them, also under the Fiat name.

Motorsport

The 133 is also popular in the low-budget Finnish motorsport called Jokkis, where over 50 per cent of the drivers drive Fiat 133s.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Bunte Mischung: Der neue Seat 133 - erstes eigenstaendiges Auto der mit Fiat Lizenzen arbetiende Spanier - zeichnet sich durch enge Verwandtschaft zu mehreren Fiat Modellen aus...". Auto Motor u. Sport. Heft. Vol. 13 1974. 22 June 1974. pp. Seite 76–78.
  2. ↑ Claus Jacobi (managing editor), Rudolf Augstein (proprietor & former managing editor) (25 March 1974). "Spanischer Konkurrent für VW-Mini". SPIEGEL-ONLINE. p. 82. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
  3. 1 2 3 "Motorweek: First Spanish exclusive?". The Motor. nbr. Vol. 3734. 4 May 1974. p. 28.
  4. ↑ "FIAT SOMECA CONCÓRD S.A.C.I.". cocheargentino.com.ar. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  5. ↑ "SEAT in Egypt". Autocar. 23 April 1977. p. 16.
  6. ↑ "News: Fiat 133 arrives". Autocar. 141. Vol. (nbr 4100). 7 June 1975. p. 25.
  7. ↑ "Jokamiesluokka". kauhajoenua.net. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  8. ↑ Automobil Revue, catalogue 1979, p.494 and 313; all data works figures unless otherwise specified.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SEAT 133.
SEAT, a marque of the Volkswagen Group since 1986, car timeline, 1950s–1980s — next »
Type 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789
City car 600 133
800 Panda Marbella
Supermini 127 Fura
850 1200 Sport Ibiza I
Small family car 128 Málaga
Ritmo Ronda
Mid-size car 124
1430 131
Large family car 1400 1500 132
Coupé / Roadster 124 Sport
850 Coupé
Sports car 850 Spider
Panel van Trans Terra
Fiat car timeline (South America), 1980s–present
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 012345
Economy car Hatch 147 / Spazio Mille
Uno Palio I Palio II
Uno II
Sedan Oggi Prêmio/Duna Siena Grand Siena
Supermini Punto
Small family car Hatch Tipo Brava Stilo Bravo
Sedan Tempra / Tempra SW Marea / Marea Weekend Linea
Coupé Coupé
LCV/LAV Fiorino I Fiorino II Fiorino III
Doblò
Mini MPV Idea
Mini pickup City Fiorino Pick-up Strada
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