The Fiat 522 is a passenger car produced by Fiat between 1931 and 1933. It was offered in three body styles, the short-wheelbase 522C, the long-wheelbase 522L and the 522S Sport. The engine was a 2,516 cc in-line six-cylinder, and the car was the first model to carry Fiat’s subsequently familiar rectangular logo.
Fiat 522 at a glance
| Production | 1931–1933 |
|---|---|
| Bodies | 522C short wheelbase, 522L long wheelbase, 522S Sport |
| Engine | 2,516 cc in-line six-cylinder |
| Power | 52 PS, or 65 PS in the Sport |
| Transmission | four-speed, all-synchromesh |
| Badge | first Fiat with the rectangular logo |
| Examples built | almost 6,000 |
| Related models | Fiat 515, Fiat 524 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article.
History of the Fiat 522
Three bodies, one engine
The 522 was introduced in 1931 and remained in production until 1933. Fiat offered it in three different body styles: the 522C on a short wheelbase, the 522L on a long wheelbase and the 522S Sport. All used a 2,516 cc in-line six-cylinder engine, credited with 52 PS, or 65 PS in the Sport version.
A gearbox ahead of its time
The car featured a four-speed all-synchromesh transmission, a specification that set this Fiat ahead of most of its contemporaries. Synchromesh on every ratio made the gearbox easier and quieter to use than the crash boxes still common in the early 1930s.
A new badge
The 522 was the first model to feature Fiat’s subsequently familiar rectangular logo. The badge used here had gold lettering on a red background, and the shape went on to become one of the recognisable marks of the company.
Family and production
Almost 6,000 examples of the 522 were produced. A 522 CSS was also offered, with a higher compression ratio and twin carburettors. The same period produced two related models: a variant with the smaller Fiat 514 engine was released as the Fiat 515, and a version with a longer wheelbase and a more luxurious interior appeared as the Fiat 524.
Design and features
- Three body styles: short-wheelbase 522C, long-wheelbase 522L and sporting 522S.
- Six-cylinder engine: 2,516 cc, with 52 PS or 65 PS in the Sport.
- All-synchromesh gearbox: four speeds with synchromesh on every ratio.
- New corporate badge: the rectangular Fiat logo with gold letters on red.
- CSS version: higher compression and twin carburettors.
Fiat 522 versions
- 522C: short-wheelbase body.
- 522L: long-wheelbase body.
- 522S Sport: 65 PS version of the six-cylinder engine.
- 522 CSS: higher compression ratio and twin carburettors.
- Fiat 515: related model with the smaller Fiat 514 engine.
- Fiat 524: longer wheelbase and a more luxurious interior.
The 522 followed the Fiat 512 in Fiat’s six-cylinder line and shared its period with the Fiat 518. More cars are in the Fiat collection.
Sources
- Fiat 522, English Wikipedia: bodies, engine, gearbox, badge, related models and production
