Fiat 2800 Berlina Viotti

The Fiat 2800 Berlina by Carrozzeria Viotti was a custom-bodied variant of Fiat’s flagship model introduced in 1938. Based on the standard Fiat 2800 chassis, this version featured a full four-door sedan body designed and built by Viotti of Turin. The vehicle was developed during a period when custom coachbuilding remained common for high-end Italian automobiles, especially for official or limited-production purposes. The base platform retained its original mechanical configuration, consisting of a front-mounted inline six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2,852 cc. The engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission and produced approximately 85 horsepower, transmitted to the rear wheels. The layout followed conventional standards for the time, with independent front suspension using coil springs and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Braking was handled by hydraulically operated drum brakes on all four corners. Viotti’s interpretation of the 2800 Berlina emphasized a formal and elongated silhouette. The body featured long front and rear overhangs, a recessed grille with horizontal slats, integrated headlamps within the front fenders, and a high roofline with generous glass areas. The doors were conventionally front-hinged, and the rear section was aerodynamically tapered. Overall dimensions were proportioned for maximum interior space while maintaining visual balance, with attention to smooth panel transitions and restrained ornamentation. Unlike Fiat’s standard factory offerings, the Viotti-bodied version was tailored for use cases requiring a high-capacity passenger compartment with fixed seating for six occupants across two full-width benches—three seats in front and three in the rear—without the use of auxiliary fold-down seats. This configuration was rarely applied in series production during the period and indicates a degree of customization targeting official or institutional clientele. Production numbers for this specific Viotti-bodied model are unconfirmed, though it is likely that only a limited quantity—possibly a single example—was manufactured. It represents one of the more obscure coachbuilt variations of the Fiat 2800, combining a large-displacement chassis with bespoke Italian coachwork prior to the shift away from custom-bodied luxury sedans in the post-war era.