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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 1500 Super Sport Belmondo

1938Coachwork by Stabilimenti Farina

Fiat 1500 Super Sport Belmondo

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Manufacturer
Fiat
Base model
1500
Production period
1938
Body style
Spider
Engine
6 cilindri in linea — donor/base Fiat 1500
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 Spider (1938) was coachbuilt by Stabilimenti Farina. This model emerged during a period marked by significant advancements in automotive design and engineering, reflecting the evolution of Italian coachbuilding practices. The Fiat 1500 Spider was characterized by its streamlined proportions and elegant aesthetics, which were crafted using traditional hand-formed techniques prevalent in the late 1930s.

The design process for the Fiat 1500 Spider involved meticulous attention to detail, with the body constructed from lightweight materials to enhance performance and handling. The design emphasized a low-profile silhouette with flowing lines that contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency. Construction methods included the use of steel for the chassis and aluminum for the body panels, a common practice among luxury coachbuilders of the time, which ensured both durability and a reduction in overall weight.

Mechanically, the Fiat 1500 Spider featured a robust configuration suitable for its sporty design. It was powered by a four-cylinder engine, providing a balance of performance and reliability. The chassis was designed to accommodate the rigors of sport driving, incorporating a suspension system that facilitated agile handling characteristics, essential for the driving experience intended by the designers.

Production data for the Fiat 1500 Spider indicates a limited run, though precise figures are not documented. The chassis numbering system was employed to track individual vehicles, which has allowed for some surviving examples to be identified and preserved. Documentation indicates that the Fiat 1500 Spider was exhibited at various automotive shows during its production years, showcasing its design and engineering achievements.

Surviving examples are recorded in private collections and institutional archives, providing reference for researchers of postwar coachbuilding. The Fiat 1500 Super Sport Belmondo, with its association to Stabilimenti Farina, remains a significant study in the evolution of Italian automotive design and coachbuilding techniques.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Limited

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
6 cilindri in linea — donor/base Fiat 1500
Displacement
1,493 cc
Specification notes
DONOR_BASE_PROJECTION — base-model technical fields projected from CATTELAN-FIAT-1500-LUSSO-SPORT-1938 because make/model/year match exactly. This does not assert that the coachbuilt/special vehicle retained identical tuning or performance.

Design & manufacture

Manufacturer · Documented
Fiat
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Stabilimenti Farina

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

THE CONVERSATION

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