Fiat 1500 Cabriolet - LHD

Overall Comments

A smart looking and very attractive ’60s Italian convertible - rare in the UK as they were never officially imported. Now in good working order and ready to be enjoyed by a new owner looking for a reasonably priced open-top Italian roadster with Pininfarina styling. Documentation accompanying the 1500 includes a driver’s manual, original brochure (in English) some of its Italian paperwork and a letter from the Fiat Archivio E Centro Storico confirming the build date and specification. It comes with spare keys and there are also invoices for works carried out. The car is currently located in Dorset should viewing wish to be arranged by appointment.

Body

The Cabriolet models were assembled by Pininfarina and the stylish bodywork is said to resemble that of similar period Ferraris, although more accurately it can be likened to the equally stylish and contemporary Peugeot 404 Coupe (also from the Pininfarina stable). This car has solid bodywork and the refinished black paintwork still looks good. The black soft top is in good working order – with an unfaded rear screen - and can be neatly stowed under a tonneau cover when not in use. Most recent work has included the rechroming of some brightwork (which is all present and correct).

Mechanical

Post acquisition by Le Riche Automobile, the Cabriolet has received mechanical work to keep it in a good driving condition which has included service work and renewal of all oils; a new fuel pump and work on brakes, steering and exhaust system. The car benefits from having a brake servo fitted (not standard on a 1963 model).

Interior

The seats were recovered in original style red vinyl as part of the restoration work carried out and these together with the door cards and dash top are in very good condition. It looks like new carpeting and rubber matting has also been fitted, which have worn well. A period radio unit has been fitted to the dashboard.

History

This generation of Fiat Cabriolet first appeared in 1959, featuring attractive new bodywork styled by Pininfarina and replacing an earlier (and rather less attractive) Fiat 1200 Spider model. Initially using the same 1221 cc engine of the outgoing model, Fiat realised this was not quite sporting enough to compete with similar offerings from other manufacturers and made use of a 1500 cc twin cam engine from OSCA to provide a performance version. A hardtop Coupe model was also built from 1960.

In 1963 – following the introduction of their 1500 saloon model – Fiat uprated the basic Cabriolet by fitting their own, new, 1500 cc pushrod engine in place of the earlier 1200 engine, to provide a healthy power boost, with a claimed output of 72 bhp and near 100 mph performance. The model also received disc brakes at the front and a light restyle which provided a lower bonnet line and slimmer, wider radiator grille. In 1965, this revised offering received a 5-speed gearbox and servo assistance for the brakes. The car continued in production for a further year, by which time it is believed around 34,000 Cabriolets of both engine sizes had been manufactured.

This smart black convertible was built in 1963 and delivered new in Italy, where it appears to have had just 3 owners prior to its purchase by UK specialist importer – Mr Speedlux, Sussex – in 2014. Before leaving Italy it had major restoration works which included an engine rebuild/refurbishment; bare metal repaint and the interior re-upholstered. On import, it had 42,848 kms recorded. For the next 10 years it was then in the hands of a single UK owner, who used the car sparingly but actively, keeping it maintained and completing some further improvements.