Fiat Spiders (1955 to 66)

This page covers the open topped Fiat cars from the mid 1950's to the mid 1960's.

The Trasformabiles - 1955 to 59

The 1200, 1500, 1500S and 1600S Cabriolets - 1959 to 63

The revised cabriolets - 1963 to 66

These cars were replaced in 1966 by the completely new Fiat 124 Spider, based on the saloon of that denomination.


Trasformabiles - 1955 to 1959

The Geneva show of 1955 saw the presentation of a new 'Trasformabile' version of the recently introduced 1100 saloon. The mechanical parts remained the same as the TV version of the saloon, whilst the body was an all new two seater complete with period wrap-around windscreen.
A total of 571 of these first series cars were built. In 1956 when the new 103E saloon was released changes cascaded across all the related models. The Trasformabile gained 3bhp and a slightly modified rear suspension. Production continued for another year, around 450 of these cars being built.
The first significant change came in 1957 with the introduction of a new 1221cc engine. This was the same as used in the 1200 Granluce saloon (the replacement for the 1100TV). Small changes were also made to the front and rear bumpers. This model was built until 1959, with around 2,360 cars being produced.

Fiat 1100 (103) TV Trasformabile
Fiat 1200 Granluce Trasformabile

Technical Details
 
Driveline longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive
Engine 1089cc (68x75mm) ohv 4 cyl with 50bhp @ 5,400rpm
from 1956 with 53bhp
1221cc (72x75mm) ohv 4 cyl with 55bhp @ 5,300rpm
Suspension front : Independent, lower wishbone, coil spring and telescopic damper plus anti-roll bar
rear :  solid axle with telescopic dampers and leaf springs
wheelbase : 2340mm
track  (front/rear) : 1229mm/1212mm
Brakes front : drums
rear : drums
Gearbox 4 speed manual
Steering worm and roller

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1200,1500,1500S & 1600S Cabriolets - 1959 to 1963

Fiat 1600S CabrioletFollowing the above described models, in 1959, again at the Geneva Motorshow, Fiat showed the new 1200 Cabriolet. The body was all new, designed by Pininfarina with a more modern style and slightly larger dimensions, whilst the mechanicals were mainly carried over from the previous Trasformabile, the engine getting an additional 3bhp. Production of the 1200 continued until 1963, by which time over 15,000 had been built.

In the summer of 1959 Fiat then introduced a bigger brother, the 1500 Cabriolet. The body was almost identical to the 1200, with a larger air inlet on the bonnet and a revised grille being the most obvious visual differences. The main change was the installation of a twincam 1491cc engine designed by OSCA and built by Fiat. From 1960 this model also gained disc brakes at the front. In July 1961 the designation changed to 1500S Cabriolet and then in 1962 the engine was increased to 1568cc and the designation changed again, to 1600S Cabriolet. This latter version was recogniseable due to the bonnet mounted air intake moving over to the left hand side (rather than central on the earlier models).
The 1500 Cabriolet was the first to use a new model designation, 118. All the previous cars had retained the 103 designation of the saloon.

 

Technical Details
 
Driveline longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive
Engine 1221cc (72x75mm) ohv 4 cyl with 58bhp @ 5,300rpm
1491cc (78x78mm) dohc 4 cyl with 80bhp @ 6,000rpm
1568cc (80x78mm) dohc 4 cyl with 90bhp @ 6,000rpm
Suspension front : Independent, lower wishbone, coil spring and telescopic damper plus anti-roll bar
rear :  solid axle with telescopic dampers and leaf springs
wheelbase : 2340mm
track  (front/rear) : 1232mm/1215mm
Brakes front : drums (discs from 1960)
rear : drums
Gearbox 1200 : 4 speed manual
1500/1600 : 5 speed manual
Steering worm and roller
Kerb weight 1200 : 905kg
1500 : 990kg

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1200,1500 & 1600S Cabriolets - 1963 to 1966

Again at Geneva, this time in 1963, Fiat presented the revised range of cabriolets. All the models received a new front end, with a completely redesigned grille and no air intake on the bonnet whilst the 1600S also received an additional two headlights.
The 1200 was finally replaced by a 1500 using the engine from the saloon, a 1481cc ohv unit, whilst small changes were also made to the 1568cc unit. The 'new' 1500 version also adopted the 115 designation of the 1500 saloon.

Early 1965 saw the final changes to these models. Visually, the use of the 'new' round Fiat badge on the grille was the biggest change. The 1500 engine also recieved a few extra horsepower and a five-speed gearbox. Numerous other small changes were made, such as the addition of servo assistance for the brakes, different carburettors etc.
Total production of the 1600S (from the beginning in 1962) was 3,089 whilst all the 1500 engined versions (both ohv and dohc) came to around 22,500.

Fiat 1600S Cabriolet
Fiat 1500 Cabriolet - (1963 version)

Technical Details
 
Driveline longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive
Engine 1481cc (77x79.5mm) ohv 4 cyl with 72bhp @ 5,200rpm
1568cc (80x78mm) dohc 4 cyl with 90bhp @ 6,000rpm
Suspension front : Independent, lower wishbone, coil spring and telescopic damper plus anti-roll bar
rear :  solid axle with telescopic dampers and leaf springs
wheelbase : 2340mm
track  (front/rear) : 1232mm/1242mm (1600S : 1230mm/1215mm)
Brakes front : discs
rear : drums (discs on 1600)
Gearbox 1500 : 4 speed manual (from 1965 : 5 speed)
1600 : 5 speed manual
Hydraulic clutch on 1600, cable on 1500
Steering worm and roller
Kerb weight 1500 : 960kg (from 1965 : 965kg)
1600 : 1035kg (from 1965 : 1050kg)

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Other open-topped models based on the 1100/1200/1500 Fiats were built in small numbers by Moretti and other Italian carrozzeria. See our Other marques pages.


For books on Fiats see our Online Bookstore

There is also a list of all our picture galleries (including museums, motorshows and various events).

Wallpapers/Desktop Backgrounds of numerous Fiats also available to download.


Links

A Fiat 1500 Cabriolet website

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50's and 60's Spiders comment form

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Fiat 1600S Cabriolet

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