Fiat Ardita Double Phaeton Pininfarina

The Fiat 518 A Ardita Double Phaeton was a one-off open car built by Pinin Farina in 1932 on the Fiat Ardita platform. It belonged to the early-1930s tradition of large touring bodies inspired by international luxury-car design, but adapted with more fluid and Italian proportions. The bodywork recalled the “bateau” style used on some prestigious cars of the period, including the 1931 Cadillac V16. Compared with the heavier American examples, the Fiat showed a lighter and more refined treatment. The side profile was long and elegant, with flowing wings, a low beltline and a rear section shaped to give the car a dynamic appearance even when stationary. One of the most distinctive features was the double windscreen arrangement. Both screens were strongly inclined, giving the car a sporting and modern character. This solution also separated the front and rear passenger areas, following the luxury phaeton tradition of the period. The open body was designed for leisure and representative use rather than ordinary transport. The car retained the standard Fiat Ardita radiator grille, which clearly identified its mechanical origin. Around this familiar Fiat front end, the coachbuilt body introduced more elaborate proportions, two-tone paintwork and refined detailing. The contrast between the production grille and the custom bodywork illustrates how Italian coachbuilders could transform a regular chassis into a more exclusive automobile. The Fiat 518 A Ardita itself was part of Fiat’s medium-upper range during the 1930s. It provided a suitable base for special bodies thanks to its robust mechanical layout and respectable size. In this Double Phaeton version, the chassis was used to create a more prestigious and visually ambitious car. Only one example of the Fiat 518 A Ardita Double Phaeton is documented. It remains an important example of early-1930s Italian coachbuilding, showing how international styling themes were reinterpreted through a more elegant and locally refined design language.