The legend of 70's & 80's
Premier Padmini was an automobile manufactured in India from 1964 to 2000 byPremier Automobiles Limited, a division of the Walchand Group, under license from Fiat and marketed initially as the Fiat 1100 Delight — and beginning in 1967 as the Premier Padmini. The Padimini's primary competitor in the Indian market was the Hindustan Ambassador.
Known colloquially as the Pad,[2] the Padmini is named for a 14th-century Rajput princess.[2] Padmini translates to "she who sits on the lotus" and refers to the Goddess Lakshmi. It is common name for girls in India. 
| Manufacturer | Premier Automobiles |
|---|---|
| Also called | Fiat 1100 Delight Premier President |
| Production | 1964-2001 |
| Successor | Premier 118NE |
| Class | City car |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Engine | 1,089 cc Fiat 103 I4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual. |
| Wheelbase | 2,340 mm (92 in) |
| Length | 3,905–3,940 mm (153.7–155 in) |
| Width | 1,460 mm (57 in) |
| Height | 1,470 mm (58 in)[1] |
| Related | Fiat 1100D |
History
The Fiat 1100D, based on the Fiat 1200 GranLuce Berlina, debuted in India in 1964 with a carburetted 1,089 cc four-cylinder engine — rather than the 1,221 cc engine fitted to the GranLuce in Italy. With a 7.8:1 compression ratio, it created 40 bhp (30 kW) at 4,800 rpm with a maximum torque of 7.20 kg·m (71 N·m; 52 lb·ft) at 3,000 rpm. The original transmission was a four-speed manual gearbox (without synchronized first gear), driving the rear wheels via a live rear axle. It had a column-mounted shifter, on the left-hand side of the steering column. Weighing 895 kg (1,970 lb) the car could attain a top speed of 115 km/h (71 mph).
Premier manufactured the Padmini at their Kurla, Mumbai plant until they sold a majority stake to Fiat SpA in September 1997. The licensed vehicle was initially manufactured as the Fiat 1100 Delight. For model year 1973, the car was marketed as the Premier President and subsequently as the Premier Padmini.
By the mid-eighties, a more powerful version which offered 44 bhp (33 kW) at 5,000 rpm was also available. Claimed top speed increased to 119 km/h (74 mph).[1] The Padmini was only available with petrol engines until 1996, when they introduced a diesel variant.[3]
After the advent of more modern cars from GM, Ford, Fiat, Tata etc., the demand for the Padmini waned. Competition between new auto manufacturers brought modern fuel-efficient cars to the Indian marketplace in the late 1990s. Premier introduced a floor-shift gearbox, bucket seats and more powerful fuel efficient engines, including a diesel variant (137D) which was introduced in 1996. Production ended in November 2000, with the 137D as the final model.
Numerous examples still abound as taxicabs in Mumbai. Many of these taxis now run on CNG for fuel economy. While all cars built by Premier themselves were four-door sedans, small companies also offered other bodywork, mainly in the form of estates.[1] The Fiat 1100-D's original design remained unchanged, aside from some minor grill facelifts in the eighties and the removal of the front-door vent windows at some point in the early nineties.
Premier padmini altered one
Premier Padmini Gallery
Classy as always, it touches everyone's mind ones upon a time...... still in touch with those can't forget this awesome vehicle ...........................!!!!!
Dedicated to all "FIAT PREMIER PADMINI FANS"
with love kiran lal P.R
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