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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Bertone

1939Coachwork by Bertone

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1939
Body style
Cabriolet
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 Cabriolet Bertone from 1939 is a true gem of pre-war automotive design, combining elegance, innovation, and craftsmanship. Built on the reliable Fiat 6C1500 chassis, this stunning four-seat cabriolet was masterfully created by the legendary Italian coachbuilder Bertone. Known for their artistry and forward-thinking designs, Bertone brought to life a car that perfectly embodied the style and sophistication of the era. This particular example has an especially fascinating history, as it was owned by Count Giuseppe d’Ambrosio, a passionate admirer of fine automobiles. The car’s moment in the spotlight came in 1939 when it was showcased at the prestigious Turin Concours d’Elegance. This event was a celebrated stage for the world’s most beautifully crafted vehicles, and the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Bertone truly shined. Its graceful lines, balanced proportions, and meticulous attention to detail captured the admiration of both judges and spectators. The car earned two significant accolades at the event, further cementing its legacy. It was awarded the Best in Show cup by La Stampa, one of Italy’s most prominent newspapers, as well as the Royal Automobile Club Italiano cup, a prize reserved for category winners. These awards were a testament not only to the car’s design excellence but also to Bertone’s reputation for producing some of the most elegant and refined vehicles of the time. The success of the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet at the Turin Concours d’Elegance was part of a larger trend for Bertone, who by the late 1930s had established themselves as a leader in bespoke automotive design. Their ability to combine beauty with innovation earned them widespread recognition and numerous awards, solidifying their place in automotive history. Today, the 1939 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Bertone remains a symbol of timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship. It serves as a reminder of a golden age when cars were not just machines but rolling works of art, each one reflecting the passion and skill of its creators. This remarkable vehicle continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors, embodying the enduring charm of Italian design.

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

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Bertone
Designer · Candidate
Mario Revelli di Beaumont
Manufacturer · Documented
Fiat

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

X Concorso d'Eleganza per Automobili – Torino General · legacy_preserved
Date
1939
Chassis
General

Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events|list_of_awards_0_events|list_of_awards_1_events. No award inferred.

A distinct 1939 Bertone Fiat 1500 Cabriolet project associated with Count Giuseppe d'Ambrosio is retained. The source supports stylistic lineage from the 1938 Bertone Aprilia and concours success at Turin and San Remo; exact designer and award hierarchy remain qualified. General · Unreviewed
Date
1939
Chassis
General

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

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history2 dated records
  1. Unassigned chassis · Event

    A distinct 1939 Bertone Fiat 1500 Cabriolet project associated with Count Giuseppe d'Ambrosio is retained. The source supports stylistic lineage from the 1938 Bertone Aprilia and concours success at Turin and San Remo; exact designer and award hierarchy remain qualified.

THE CONVERSATION

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