Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Gran Sport

The Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Gran Sport, unveiled by Carrozzeria Ghia in 1946, represents a high point in Italian automotive coachbuilding during the post-war period. Conceived by designer Fedele Bianco, the project aimed to elevate Fiat’s modest 1500 chassis into a striking and expressive statement of style and innovation. Drawing from the earlier works of Revelli di Beaumont’s 1943 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Aerodinamica and Michelotti’s 1948 Lancia Astura, Bianco added his own flair with exaggerated proportions and flowing “flamboyant” lines. The most distinctive elements were the sweeping, expandable fenders—an idea executed by Umberto Capalbi—that gave the car its unmistakably theatrical presence. The Gran Sport was built in extremely limited numbers—just four examples in total: two coupés and two cabriolets. Of those, only a single cabriolet is known to survive today. The model quickly rose to prominence in the 1947 concours circuit. On March 28, it tied for first at the Monte Carlo Concours d’Élégance, sharing honors with the Maserati A6 1500 Pininfarina. Later that year, it won at Sanremo, competed in Rome, took top honors in Turin, and finally claimed first in class at Villa d’Este. Chassis 1500B-039919, with engine 1500B-041127, was delivered to Fiat dealer Renato Bornigia in Rome on February 11, 1947. Finished in hazelnut brown metallic over green leather with a beige soft top, it was fitted with period accessories like a two-band Autovox radio, Veglia gauges, and a Giordano steering wheel. Displayed at Sanremo in May, it was later sold to Mrs. Mimosa Pignatari, daughter of Prince Leopoldo Parodi Delfino. She entered it in the June 21 Pincio Park Concours d’Élégance, where it won its class and placed third overall. The car’s design, originally painted gray-blue to stand apart from the 1100 series, included a flexible seating layout that transformed it from a two-seater to a four-seater. Today, it survives as a rare and historically important example of Ghia’s flair for dramatic yet functional design.