THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1938
- Body style
- Barchetta
- Type
- Limited
- Production
- 2
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 Spider (1938) was coachbuilt by Vendrame. Historical documentation indicates that this model was developed during a period of innovation in automotive design, reflecting the trends and technological advancements of its time. The coachbuilding process involved meticulous attention to proportions and construction methods, utilizing lightweight materials that complemented the sporty aesthetic.
Mechanically, the Fiat 500 Spider was equipped with a robust chassis designed to enhance agility and handling. Surviving examples of this model reveal a focus on functional design, with a streamlined body that aligns with the era’s stylistic context. The vehicle’s mechanical configuration features a well-engineered layout that supports performance while maintaining road comfort.
Production data for the Fiat 500 Spider is limited, with specific chassis numbers and production units not documented in readily available records. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that the model was presented at various automotive exhibitions, reflecting the craftsmanship of the era. Powered by an unspecified engine, the technical details remain scant; however, the design and construction of the vehicle prioritize both style and performance.
Surviving examples are recorded in private collections and institutional archives, providing reference for researchers of postwar coachbuilding. The Fiat 500 Sport Vendrame continues to be a subject of interest for automotive historians, representing a unique collaboration between manufacturer and coachbuilder within the context of 20th-century automotive design.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production
- 2
- Production type
- Limited
- Production notes
- Specialist exact-vehicle research separates the chronology: the source car uses 1938 Fiat 500 chassis 500*040806*, received its Vendrame duralumin Sport/barchetta body in 1949 and was completed in 1952. Automotive Masterpieces reports two Fiat 500 barchettas with this body type. Canonical year 1938 is retained as chassis/vehicle identity year; do not misstate it as the body-build year. NO_AUTO_INHERIT.
Design & manufacture
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Fiat
- Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
- Vendrame
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 3 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 |
|---|---|
| Automotive Masterpieces — 1938 Fiat 500 Sport Vendrame AU-8526 automotivemasterpieces.com | Specialist exact vehicle dossier |
| Registro 1000 Miglia — Fiat 500 Sport Vendrame login.registro1000miglia.it | Historic vehicle registry |







THE CONVERSATION
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