The 133 is SEAT's first exclusively produced original model. It is an anti-crisis car and, at the same time, a successor to the SEAT 600 for nostalgic people, the last rear-engine and rear-wheel drive SEAT. The 133 is a larger, more modern, refined and safe 600, which combines the virtues of the ever popular "little SEAT" and those of the new front-wheel drive SEAT 127.

The SEAT 133 project originated from two apparently unrelated events that happened around the same time in mid-1973. On the one hand, production of the SEAT 600 ceased after 16 years of commercial life that had changed the relationship of an entire country with the automobile. On the other hand, the oil crisis forced the industry to devise more frugal, functional and rational vehicles. SEAT's answer to the situation is the 133, as illustrated by the new model's advertising slogan: "A car like this had to be done. Now."

Taking up again the rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout of the SEAT 600 and also the 850, the SEAT 133 replaced them both as an economic model. Hardly bigger in size than the former, it was way roomier than the latter. The 133 had the same engine as the recent 127, fitted with a different crankshaft to reduce the capacity below 900 cc, so that the car should pay less in the way of taxes. For the sake of economy, the basic version runs on two-star, cheaper petrol. Technically and aesthetically, the 133 is a rear-engined 127, but its heart is that of the 600.

The unveiling of the 133 to the European press took place in Ibiza in May 1974, with Swedish actress Ursula Andress as an ambassador. The event marked SEAT's coming-out as an international brand - for the first time the Barcelona factory had launched a totally exclusive model. With the 133, SEAT proved its industrial capability by making a mass-produced car for overseas markets. In five years, more than 190,000 units were produced. And from the end of 1977, the 133 was manufactured in Egypt and Argentina under license from SEAT.

Where the technical progress is most noticeable in the 133 is in the field of passive safety, thanks to a monocoque chassis better devised and stronger than that of the 850. The 133 featured crumple zones front and rear, collapsible steering column (so as not to enter the cabin in the event of a collision) and safety belts. Even the spare wheel was placed as a shield on the front of the car. In terms of active safety, the 133 was fitted with a dual circuit braking system, independent for each axle.

Evolution was also perceived in the 133's market segment. Whereas the SEAT 600 had been an all-purpose car and an object of desire whose mission had been to popularise the automobile, now the 133 was the ideal city car, young car or second car, in response to the new demands of the users.

A year after its launch, the 133 became the "133 range", with four different versions, the result of combining two different engines and two trim levels. Thus, the basic model was the 133 Berlina, powered by the two-star petrol engine, and the top of the range was the 133 Especial Lujo, fitted with a double-choke carburettor that increased the power up to 44 HP. In addition, it featured the 127's front disc brakes and perforated wheel rims, which improved brake cooling and efficiency.

Besides, the Lujo body offered an attractive and distinguishable exterior look, thanks to the bigger polyurethane wraparound bumpers, metallic panels front and rear, side indicators integrated on the side stripes, fully adjustable seats and velour trim.

SEAT HISTÓRICOS keeps chassis number 1 of SEAT's 133. However, this unit features the cosmetic details of the later Lujo version, which were added at the factory back in the day, as the car was used as a mule for the production model (in this car, the bumpers are made of glass fiber instead of polyurethane as in the standard version). SEAT's Historical Collection also features a 133 L Especial (or Especial Lujo) example, manufactured in 1977, when the 133 was already fitted with rack and pinion steering.