THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1938
- Body style
- Cabriolet
- Engine
- 4 cilindri in linea — donor/base Fiat 500 A
- 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 Cabriolet (1938) was coachbuilt by Montescani. Developed in the late 1930s, the Fiat 500 was intended to meet the growing demand for affordable and compact automobiles in post-war Europe. The design process of the Cabriolet variant involved a meticulous approach to proportions and construction methods, incorporating lightweight materials to enhance performance while maintaining aesthetic appeal. The bodywork featured a two-door configuration with a convertible top, embodying the stylistic context of the era.
Mechanically, the Fiat 500 Cabriolet was powered by a 4L inline-four engine, which offered an efficient solution for urban driving. The chassis was designed with a focus on simplicity and ease of maintenance, featuring a rear-engine layout that contributed to its compact dimensions. Suspension systems were optimized for stability and comfort, reflecting the engineering standards of the time.
Production data indicate that the Fiat 500 Cabriolet was a limited series, with specific chassis numbering documented in archival records. Surviving examples are noted in various private collections and museums, providing valuable insights into the coachbuilding practices of the period. The Fiat 500 A Trasformabile Montescani continues to be of interest to automotive historians, illustrating the collaboration between manufacturers and coachbuilders in the development of unique automotive designs. Surviving examples are recorded in private collections and institutional archives, providing reference for researchers of postwar coachbuilding.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production type
- Limited
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- 4 cilindri in linea — donor/base Fiat 500 A
- Displacement
- 569 cc
- Power (CV)
- 13 CV
- Engine speed
- 4,000 rpm
- Transmission
- Manual 4-speed
- Drive
- Rear-wheel drive
- Specification notes
- Confidence detail moved from confidence: high_mechanical_medium_identity DONOR_BASE_PROJECTION — base-model technical fields projected from MONT-FIAT-500A-CAB-1938-FAMILY because make/model/year match exactly. This does not assert that the coachbuilt/special vehicle retained identical tuning or performance. | 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
- Montescani
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery
No publishable photographs are currently catalogued 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.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| Topolino Autoclub Italia — Fiat 500 (Topolino) models www.topolinoautoclubitalia.it | Marque club register |








THE CONVERSATION
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