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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Cattelan

1937Coachwork by Cattelan

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1937
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 (1937) was coachbuilt by Cattelan. Developed in the context of pre-war automotive design, the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet represented a collaboration between Fiat and Cattelan, a renowned Italian coachbuilder. The design process emphasized elegant proportions and a streamlined silhouette, characteristic of the era’s automotive aesthetics. Construction methods included traditional techniques such as hand-beating metal and wooden frame fabrication, which were standard practices in coachbuilding during this period.

Mechanically, the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet was powered by a V6 engine, providing a balance of performance and reliability suited for both urban and rural driving conditions. The chassis was designed with a focus on comfort and handling, featuring a robust suspension system that contributed to a smooth ride. In production terms, the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet was part of a limited series, with documentation indicating a specific focus on quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Surviving examples of the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet are recorded in private collections and institutional archives, providing reference for researchers of postwar coachbuilding. The model is notable for its representation of Italian automotive design in the late 1930s, reflecting both the technological advancements and stylistic preferences of the time. The Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Cattelan remains a subject of interest for automotive historians, illustrating the legacy of coachbuilding traditions in Italy.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Limited
Production notes
Retain the 1937 Fiat 1500 Cattelan record and donor mechanical baseline, but treat ORG-CATTELAN as an entity-resolution mapping pending stronger Udine/Pordenone evidence.

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-6
Displacement
1,493 cc
Transmission
Manual 4-speed
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
Confidence detail moved from confidence: high_mechanical_medium_body | Source-backed donor/model-level baseline for Fiat 1500 A–E (1935–1950): Inline-6, 1493 cc, 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive. Power output varied across series and special bodies; horsepower, body dimensions, weight and maximum speed are intentionally not inherited.

Design & manufacture

Manufacturer · Documented
Fiat
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Cattelan

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 — Cattelan Fiat 1500 thread ww.coachbuild.com Specialist coachbuilder forum source
Automobile-Catalog — Fiat 1500 A-E specifications www.automobile-catalog.com Specialist technical reference

THE CONVERSATION

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