The Fiat 238 was a van produced by Fiat from 1967 through 1983. It replaced the Fiat 1100T and was based on the chassis of the Autobianchi Primula, with a transverse engine mounted under the seats and front-wheel drive. The layout gave a low, flat floor, and the van was produced in many body styles for goods and personnel transport.
Fiat 238 at a glance
| Production | 1967–1983 |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Fiat 1100T |
| Replaced by | Fiat Ducato |
| Layout | front-wheel drive, transverse engine under the seats |
| Chassis | Autobianchi Primula |
| Engine 1967–1968 | 1,221 cc petrol, 43 PS |
| Engine 1968–1983 | 1,197 cc petrol, 44 PS |
| Engine 1968–1975 | 1,438 cc petrol, 46 PS |
| Engine 1975–1983 | 1,438 cc petrol, 52 PS |
| Bodies | panel van, minibus and special bodies |
| Also built by | Neckar-Fiat in Germany |
based on one source
History of the Fiat 238
Design and layout
The 238 was introduced in 1967 as the successor to the Fiat 1100T. It used the chassis of the Autobianchi Primula and, like that car, had front-wheel drive with the engine mounted transversely under the seats. The first engine was a downtuned version of the Primula’s 1,221 cc petrol unit producing 43 cv. A year later it was replaced by the 1,197 cc engine of the Fiat 124, and the 1,438 cc engine of the Fiat 124 Special became available as an option with 46 cv, the same unit used in the rear-wheel-drive Fiat 241 pickup.
Range and engines
The 238 was produced in many different body styles for utility and personnel transport. Its engines developed as follows: from 1967 to 1968 the 1,221 cc petrol of 43 PS; from 1968 to 1983 the 1,197 cc petrol of 44 PS; from 1968 to 1975 the 1,438 cc petrol of 46 PS; and from 1975 to 1983 the 1,438 cc petrol of 52 PS.
The 242 and the end of production
In 1974 Fiat introduced a new van, the 242, with a larger petrol engine and also a diesel variant. Sales of the 238 did not weaken, so Fiat kept it in the line-up and made the new bigger 1.4-litre engine available to it as well. The 238 was produced until 1983 and was replaced by the Ducato.
Camper conversions
The 238 was briefly built by Germany’s Neckar-Fiat. It was also popular for motorhome conversions, because the front-wheel-drive packaging allowed a low, flat floor and therefore a very spacious living area for such a compact and light vehicle. Ruggeri, Weinsberg, Westfalia and many other firms provided conversions.
Design and features
- Under-seat engine: a transverse four under the seats and front-wheel drive, taken from the Autobianchi Primula.
- Low flat floor: the layout made the 238 a favourite base for camper conversions.
- Long model life: kept in production alongside the newer 242 until 1983.
- Many bodies: panel vans, minibuses and specialist bodies were all offered.
Fiat 238 versions
- 238 with 1,221 cc: the 1967–1968 version with 43 PS.
- 238 with 1,197 cc: the main production engine from 1968 to 1983, 44 PS.
- 238 with 1,438 cc: 46 PS from 1968 to 1975, then 52 PS from 1975 to 1983.
- Camper conversions: bodies by Ruggeri, Weinsberg, Westfalia and others.
- Neckar-Fiat 238: briefly assembled in Germany.
The 238 used engines from the Fiat 124 and was eventually replaced by the Fiat Ducato. The later Fiat Ulysse continued the line of Fiat people carriers. More cars are in the Fiat collection.
Sources
- Fiat 238, English Wikipedia: production, Primula chassis, engines, 242, camper conversions
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