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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 500 Trasformabile Negro

1939Coachwork by Negro

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1939
Body style
Cabriolet
Engine
Inline-4
Type
Limited
Displacement
569 cc
Power
13 CV

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 500 Trasformabile Negro is a stunning example of mid-20th-century Italian craftsmanship, built on a 1939 Fiat 500 Topolino chassis by the renowned Turin coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Negro. This bespoke car is a masterpiece of design, influenced by the distinctive styling of the contemporary Siata Amica ’39, reflecting the custom-built, hand-crafted nature of the cars produced during the 1940s. One of the most remarkable features of the Fiat 500 Trasformabile Negro is its elegant chromed friezes, which have been impeccably preserved to this day. These detailing elements add a touch of luxury and sophistication to the car’s overall appearance, enhancing its classic appeal. The car’s front end is characterized by a distinctive “nose at the bow of the ship” shape, evoking a sense of nautical elegance and sleekness. The body design also includes doors that are specifically cut to allow the adoption of descending windows, a patented feature by the Accossato body shop in Turin, which was also used on the Fiat 500. This innovation added to the car’s modern feel for its time. The bumpers and customized bolts contribute to the vehicle’s unique look, while the wand arrows mounted behind the doors, flush with the body, provide further refinement to the design. Another standout feature is the rear trunk, which is hinged along its entire length, offering both functionality and style. The license plate light is taken from the Lancia Aprilia, further tying the Fiat 500 Trasformabile Negro to the broader landscape of Italian automotive design. Inside, the dashboard remains largely standard, and the engine is the same as the original Fiat 500, retaining the car’s historical character. One of the highlights of the car’s design is the large bellows hood, which is perfectly integrated with the body when open, enhancing the car’s streamlined appearance. Overall, the Fiat 500 Trasformabile Negro is a striking example of craftsmanship, combining timeless elegance with functional design elements that make it a true classic.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Limited

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-4
Displacement
569 cc
Power (CV)
13 CV
Engine speed
4,000 rpm
Transmission
Manual 4-speed
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
Source-backed donor/model-level baseline for Fiat 500 A / pre-B Topolino: Inline-4, 569 cc, 13 CV at 4000 rpm, 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive. Coachbuilt-body dimensions, weight and maximum speed are intentionally not inherited.

Design & manufacture

Manufacturer · Documented
Fiat
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Negro

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
Coachbuild – Negro Fiat www.coachbuild.com Specialist coachbuilding archive
Topolino Autoclub Italia — Fiat 500 (Topolino) models www.topolinoautoclubitalia.it Marque club register

THE CONVERSATION

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