Fiat 514 Coppa delle Alpi

The Fiat 514 “Coppa delle Alpi” Spider bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia is a rare competition-oriented open two-seater constructed in 1931. Developed on the Fiat 514 CA chassis, this version was conceived to participate in Alpine and endurance trials during the early 1930s. It exemplifies the transition from touring to sports applications on compact Fiat platforms and represents Ghia’s early involvement in bespoke coachwork for competitive use. The base model, Fiat 514, was introduced in 1929 and remained in production through 1932. The CA variant—designated for the Coppa delle Alpi—was among the limited series developed alongside the Sport and Mille Miglia versions. The mechanical specification retained the model’s 1,438 cc inline-four engine, employing a side-valve configuration. In standard form, the engine produced approximately 28 horsepower; in CA specification, performance was increased to an estimated 35–37 horsepower. The vehicle was fitted with a four-speed manual gearbox, driving the rear axle, and employed semi-elliptical leaf spring suspension with rigid axles front and rear. Drum brakes were mounted on all four wheels. The Spider configuration by Ghia presented a purpose-built, lightweight body formed with steel and aluminum panels over a traditional wooden frame. The exterior featured low doors, swept fenders, an exposed spare wheel, and a minimal windscreen. The hood was ventilated with side louvers, typical of sports variants, and the rear deck was cut short to emphasize functional compactness. The aesthetic emphasized mechanical accessibility and weight reduction over ornamental detail. Only one example of the Fiat 514 Coppa delle Alpi Spider by Ghia is known to have been built. While Fiat produced over 36,000 units of the 514 series across all variants, few were allocated to competition-specification chassis, and bespoke bodies were rare. This specific example is not documented with a publicly known chassis number or early ownership record. The car remains significant as a representation of pre-war Italian light sports car design and as evidence of Ghia’s early specialization in limited-production, rally-focused coachwork. Its survival provides an uncommon insight into Fiat’s interwar motorsport program and the role of independent coachbuilders in adapting series chassis for specialized competitive purposes.