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Lot Essay
1966 FIAT 1500 TWO SEATER CABRIOLET
Chassis No. 118K-046248
Red with black interior
Engine: Four cylinders in line, pushrod overhead valves, single twin-choke carburretor, 1481cc, 72bhp at 5200rpm; Gearbox: manual four-speed all synchromesh; Suspension: independent to front by wishbones and coil springs, live rear axle with half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: power assisted, hydraulically operated disc to front, drum to rear. Left hand drive.
In the late 1950's Fiat produced a pretty twoseater spider based on their shortened 1100 platform chassis and powered it with a racing-style twin overhead camshaft 1600 engine by OSCA. The body was the work of Pinafarina, angular in the style of the moment, with subltle overtones of their classic marques. It was quite a success in its time, very rare today. By 1960, Fiat was placing much more emphasis on production of their medium size front engined cars. Their own 1500 engine was a willing pushrod overhead valve four with hemispherical cylinder heads and plenty of development potential. They dropped into the 1600 to produce the 1500 Cabriolet, disposing of rather less power than the OSCA engined original but a rather cheaper alternative. Production of both types seems to have overlapped for a couple of seasons.
With two comfortable seats, wind-up windows and an easy to operate fully disappearing hood, the 1500 cabriolet had a 100mph maximum and was very habitable. It remained in production until 1967 and was replaced in Fiats line-up by the 124 spider. It holds its place as a modest but collectable automobile with an endearing presence and a quantity production engine offering low maintenance and overhaul costs.
Chassis No. 118K-046248
Red with black interior
Engine: Four cylinders in line, pushrod overhead valves, single twin-choke carburretor, 1481cc, 72bhp at 5200rpm; Gearbox: manual four-speed all synchromesh; Suspension: independent to front by wishbones and coil springs, live rear axle with half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: power assisted, hydraulically operated disc to front, drum to rear. Left hand drive.
In the late 1950's Fiat produced a pretty twoseater spider based on their shortened 1100 platform chassis and powered it with a racing-style twin overhead camshaft 1600 engine by OSCA. The body was the work of Pinafarina, angular in the style of the moment, with subltle overtones of their classic marques. It was quite a success in its time, very rare today. By 1960, Fiat was placing much more emphasis on production of their medium size front engined cars. Their own 1500 engine was a willing pushrod overhead valve four with hemispherical cylinder heads and plenty of development potential. They dropped into the 1600 to produce the 1500 Cabriolet, disposing of rather less power than the OSCA engined original but a rather cheaper alternative. Production of both types seems to have overlapped for a couple of seasons.
With two comfortable seats, wind-up windows and an easy to operate fully disappearing hood, the 1500 cabriolet had a 100mph maximum and was very habitable. It remained in production until 1967 and was replaced in Fiats line-up by the 124 spider. It holds its place as a modest but collectable automobile with an endearing presence and a quantity production engine offering low maintenance and overhaul costs.