Fiat

In 1937 Fiat introduced the 508 C as a replacement for the Fiat 508 Balilla. Under the new body the 508 C had more modern and refined mechanicals compared to the 508 Ballila, including independent front suspension and an enlarged overhead valve engine. Exterior styling recalled the 1935 Fiat 1500 and the 1936 Fiat 500 "Topolino", with the typical mid-thirties heart-shaped front grille. In 1939 it was updated and renamed simply Fiat 1100. The car had gained a taller, pointed grille with horizontal chrome bars, the top three extending back on each side of the redesigned engine bonnet. In 1948, the 1100 received some mechanical and interior upgrades and was renamed 1100 B. It lasted only one year as in 1949 the car was re-introduced with a curvy boot and new name, the 1100 E. In 1953 the curtain fell with the arrival of the nuova 1100 with a completely new, unibody construction.