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 during the late 1930s, the Fiat 500 A Cabriolet represents a significant evolution in Italian automotive design, reflecting the era’s stylistic preferences and urban mobility needs. The coachbuilding process involved meticulous attention to proportions, with the design emphasizing a compact yet elegant silhouette, characteristic of Montescani’s craftsmanship. Construction methods included traditional hand-formed body panels mounted onto a robust chassis, designed to withstand both urban and rural driving conditions.
Mechanically, the Fiat 500 Cabriolet featured a configuration that catered to the practicalities of daily life. While specific engine details are not disclosed, the model was powered by a reliable engine, ensuring adequate performance for city driving. The chassis was designed to accommodate a lightweight body, enhancing maneuverability and efficiency, key considerations for vehicles of this class during the period.
Production data for the Fiat 500 A Cabriolet indicates that it was produced in limited quantities, underscoring its niche market appeal. Documentation indicates that examples have survived and are preserved in private collections and museums, highlighting the vehicle’s historical significance within the context of Italian automotive history. 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
- DONOR_BASE_ONLY — Stellantis Heritage documents the 1936–48 Fiat 500 A “Topolino” with a 569 cc four-cylinder engine producing 13 CV. Applied only to the Fiat donor/base; the Montescani Cabriolet attribution and finished-vehicle performance remain independently researchable. | 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 2 photographs
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 |








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