Skip to content
THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 1500 Coupé Francis Lombardi

1961Coachwork by Francis Lombardi

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Manufacturer
Fiat
Base model
1300/1500 Coupé
Coachbuilt version
Francis Lombardi special body; Comm.308/309
Coachbuilder
Francis Lombardi
Production period
1961
Body style
Coupé
Type
Limited

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 Francis Lombardi is a distinctive coupé interpretation crafted by the renowned coachbuilder Francis Lombardi from Vercelli, Italy. Built on the Fiat 1500 chassis, this custom design was unveiled at the 1961 Turin Auto Salon, showcasing the unique vision and expertise of Lombardi’s workshop. The car’s design was based on a concept by the celebrated Italian designer Pietro Frua, known for his elegant and forward-thinking automotive styling. The Fiat 1500 Francis Lombardi Coupé stood out for its bold aesthetic, particularly the striking vertical twin headlights, a design feature that helped give the car a more aggressive and contemporary look compared to the standard Fiat 1500. This distinctive front end, combined with the car’s overall streamlined shape, made it an attention-grabber at its debut. Another hallmark of the car’s design was the extensive use of chrome detailing, which added a touch of luxury and refinement to its overall appearance. The careful placement of chrome accents on the grille, bumpers, and trim elements enhanced the car’s sophisticated and stylish appeal, reflecting the design trends of the early 1960s. The Fiat 1500 Francis Lombardi is a rare and beautiful example of Italian coachbuilding, where a mainstream car was transformed into a work of art that was both functional and visually striking. Its one-of-a-kind design, particularly the vertical headlights and chrome embellishments, made it a standout model at the Turin Auto Salon. Today, it remains a cherished classic, celebrated for both its craftsmanship and its connection to the legacy of Italian automotive design.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Limited

Design & manufacture

Designer · Documented
Pietro Frua
Manufacturer · Documented
Fiat
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Francis Lombardi

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
Pietro Frua archive — 1961 Fiat 1300/1500 Lombardi Coupé Comm. 308/309 www.pietro-frua.de Designer archive
Carrozzieri Italiani — Fiat 1500 Coupé Francis Lombardi www.carrozzieri-italiani.com Exact vehicle editorial

THE CONVERSATION

Comments 0

Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.

Join the conversation