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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 1500 Spider Balbo

1937Coachwork by Balbo

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1937
Body style
Spider
Engine
Inline-6
Type
Limited
Displacement
1,493 cc

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Fiat 1500 Spider (1937) was coachbuilt by Balbo. Developed during a period characterized by a growing interest in sporty designs, the Fiat 1500 Spider Balbo emerged as a significant model in the automotive landscape of its time. The coachbuilding process involved meticulous attention to proportions and construction methods, reflecting the stylistic trends of the late 1930s while emphasizing streamlined aesthetics. Mechanically, the Fiat 1500 Spider was powered by an inline-four engine, contributing to its spirited performance. The chassis was based on Fiat’s established engineering principles, designed to accommodate a lightweight body that enhanced agility and driving dynamics. The suspension system utilized conventional configurations of the era, ensuring a balance between comfort and sportiness. Production data for the Fiat 1500 Spider Balbo is limited, with specific chassis numbering not widely documented. However, surviving examples are noted in private collections, which provide valuable reference points for researchers of automotive history and coachbuilding. This model was presented at various exhibitions, showcasing the craftsmanship of Balbo and the innovation of Fiat during a pivotal time in automotive design. Documentation indicates that the Fiat 1500 Spider Balbo remains an important subject of study for those interested in the evolution of postwar coachbuilding. Surviving examples are recorded in private collections and institutional archives, providing reference for researchers of postwar coachbuilding.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Limited

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-6
Displacement
1,493 cc
Transmission
Manual 4-speed
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
Source-backed donor/model-level baseline for Fiat 1500 A–E (1935–1950): Inline-6, 1493 cc, 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive. Power output varied across series and special bodies; horsepower, body dimensions, weight and maximum speed are intentionally not inherited.

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Balbo
Manufacturer · Documented
Fiat

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Automobile-Catalog — Fiat 1500 A-E specifications www.automobile-catalog.com Specialist technical reference

THE CONVERSATION

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