The Fiat 521 was a passenger car produced by Fiat between 1928 and 1931. It was derived from its predecessor, the Fiat 520, but with a bigger engine and chassis, and a shorter variant, the 521C, was also offered. The car was built outside Italy as well, most notably at the Fiat-NSU plant in Heilbronn from 1930.
Fiat 521 at a glance
| Production | 1928–1931 |
|---|---|
| Derived from | Fiat 520 |
| Variants | 521, 521C (shorter) |
| Built in Germany | Fiat-NSU, Heilbronn, from 1930 |
| Total production | more than 33,000 (Italy and Germany) |
Short article: the source gives only a brief account of the model.
History of the Fiat 521
Development
The 521 followed the 520 and used a larger engine and chassis than its predecessor, which put it higher in the Fiat range of the late 1920s. A shorter version, the 521C, was added for buyers who wanted the same mechanical package in a more compact car.
Production in Germany
From 1930 the 521 was also built at the Fiat-NSU plant in Heilbronn, an arrangement that set Fiat on the path to its later multinational status. More than 33,000 Fiat 521s were produced in Italy and Germany together, a substantial figure for a car of this class in the years around 1930.
Design and features
- Larger than the 520: a bigger engine and chassis than the model it replaced.
- Short 521C: a compact body on the same mechanical basis.
- German assembly: built at Fiat-NSU in Heilbronn from 1930.
- International reach: production in two countries and more than 33,000 cars.
Fiat 521 versions
- 521: the standard car with the long chassis.
- 521C: the shorter variant.
The 521 was developed from the Fiat 520 and was followed by the Fiat 522. More cars are in the Fiat collection.
Sources
- Fiat 521, English Wikipedia: production years, relation to the 520, 521C, German production and totals
