Fiat · 1976–1984

Fiat Spazio

The Fiat 147 was a three-door hatchback subcompact car produced by Fiat in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais from autumn 1976 until 1987, when it was replaced by the Fiat Uno. It was the Brazilian variant of the Fiat 127. Some were also built by Sevel in Argentina (where later models were named Fiat Spazio, Brío and Vivace) until 1996, and assembly also took place in Colombia, Uruguay and Venezuela. It is notable for being the first modern car to use ethanol as fuel instead of petrol.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Fiat Uno

All Fiat Spazio data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Brazil

During the two decades that followed the Second World War, the available fuels in Europe had featured progressively higher octane ratings, and compression ratios of European cars had increased correspondingly. However, the cheaper (so called yellow grade) petrol widely distributed in Brazil in 1976 had an octane rating of just 73, so for Brazil it was necessary to use a relatively low compression ratio of 7.2 to 1. In order to provide adequate power with the lower compression ratio, a larger engine was needed, and the Fiat 147 was launched with a 1049 cc unit with a five-bearing crankshaft in place of the 903 cc, three-bearing engine that then was still standard in the 127s from Turin. Press reports of the time reported that the larger engine produced a much smoother and quieter drive as well as enhanced torque. The original 147 was only available in a single model, the 147 L. The 1.05-litre Fiasa engine, along with some of the revised bodyshell elements of the 147 (most notably the rear three-quarter panels), were later introduced on the Series 2 version of the 127 itself, when it was released in Europe a year later. After having been introduced in a single version in the fall of 1976, the lineup was divided into 147 (standard), 147 L, and 147 GL in November of the next year. In general, Fiat do Brasil introduced their changes for the coming model year at the time of the Salão do Automóvel, usually held in November. In 1978, the 147 lineup received the addition of the Furgoneta van. The Furgoneta had a solid division between the front seats and the cargo area, while all rear windows (including the one in the hatch) were panelled. Originally only available with the 1050 engine, the Furgoneta later also received the 1.3-liter álcool-powered engine. The 147 was the first

Argentinian career

Argentinian production of the 147, with the 903 cc OHV (as used in the earlier Fiat 133) or the Brazilian 1,049 cc OHC engine, began in January 1982. The 147 had been announced a half year earlier as part of Sevel's attempts to modernize the lineup they had inherited from Fiat Concord. The short-lived original lineup consisted of the smaller engined 147 C and the better equipped 147 CL which received the larger engine. The 903 cc engine had a twin-barrel Weber carburetor and produces 48 PS (35 kW) at 6000 rpm, while the 1.05 received a single-barrel Brosol-Solex carburetor and offered 52 PS (38 kW) at 5600 rpm. In October 1982, the locally built 1,116 cc four-cylinder 128-series unit replaced the original two engines. In May 1983 a five-speed transmissions arrived for the new, somewhat sporty TR 5. This also received a 60 PS (44 kW) 1.3 liter engine. The 1.3 had already been used for the highly tuned IAVA Sorpasso since 1982, but with a twin carburettor and 90 PS (66 kW). With a top speed of 163 km/h (101 mph), this is the most powerful factory-built 127 derivative ever. 405 Sorpassos were built until 1984. At the opposite end of the spectrum the 147 TRD, fitted with the same diesel engine as Brazilian-built 147s, was added during 1984. In November 1984 the new Spazio appeared, with the same front clip as the second facelift used in Brazil. Big, square headlights and bumpers, along with re-designed taillights and Fiat's current corporate grille made for a much more modern appearance. Engines and equipment levels remained unchanged, although the smaller 1.1 and the diesel disappeared by 1990. The 1.3 was complemented by a larger 1,372 cc version in 1991, this was renamed the Fiat Vivace in 1993. Production continued until 1996. An interesting sub-species was the 1987 Fia

Production and markets

A total of 1,269,312 units were produced in Fiat's Brazilian factory in Betim, plus 232,807 units in the Sevel plant of Córdoba, Argentina. This includes Panoramas and Fiorinos; the total of three-door 147/Spazios built in Brazil (excluding CKD production) is 709,230. The 147 and derivatives were also assembled in the CCA plant in Bogotá, Colombia. Some Fiat 147s were exported to Europe, mainly with the diesel engine or with the Panorama bodywork. Aside from the two different fronts used (first and second facelift), they can also be differentiated from Italian-built Fiat 127s (and the corresponding Spanish-built Seat 127s) by the extractor vents in the rear three-quarter pillar.

Works cited

Castaings, Francis; Samahá, Fabrício (2016-07-08). "Fiat 147, um pequeno que foi grande em significado" [Fiat 147, a small car of great significance]. Best Cars (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2020-07-26. de Simone, Rogério; Ferraresi, Rogério (2016), Clássicos do Brasil: Fiat 147 [Brazilian Classics: Fiat 147] (in Portuguese), Alaúde, ISBN 978-8578813642

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Fiat 147
aka: Fiat 147 City (pick-up), Fiat 148 (Panorama, Uruguay), Fiat Brío, Fiat Spazio, Fiat Tucán, Fiat Vivace (Argentina)
Manufacturer: Fiat
Production: 1976–1987 (Brazil), 1982–1996 (Argentina), 1979–1984 (Colombia)
Assembly: Brazil: Betim, Argentina: Córdoba (Sevel), Chile: Rancagua, Colombia: Bogotá (CCA), Uruguay: Canelones (Nordex S.A.), Venezuela: La Victoria, Aragua
Layout: FF layout
Predecessor: Fiat 133 (Argentina)
Successor: Fiat Uno
Class: Supermini (B)
Body style: 2-door sedan, 3-door hatchback, 3-door station wagon, 2-door coupé utility (pickup), 3-door panel-van
Engine: 903 cc 100 series OHV I4, 1049 cc Fiasa OHC I4, 1116 cc 128 OHC I4 (RA), 1297 cc Fiasa OHC I4, 1301 cc Fiasa OHC I4, 1301 cc 128 OHC I4 (RA), 1372 cc Tipo OHC I4 (RA), 1301 cc Fiasa diesel I4
Transmission: 4 or 5-speed manual
Related: Fiat 127, SEAT 127, SEAT Fura, Fiat Fiorino, Fiat Oggi, Fiat Panorama

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10282060CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_147CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1369778132 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fiat_147_late.jpgCC BY 3.0 · Photo: Marcelo Bezerra Cavalcanti;levels adjusted by uploader Mr.choppers · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.