This restoration-grade Fiat project is said to be the only one of its kind in North America, attributed to its unique styling by Vignale and enlarged engine to 750 cc. These features, in addition to never being officially imported to the U.S., make this Fiat a desirable candidate for restoration. Find it here on craigslist in Boston, but note that it is located across the border in Montreal, Canada.
While a marque expert could certainly delineate the differences that make a Vignale stand out, the non-expert (speaking) simply thinks this is a pretty little droptop with a windshield that looks like it more belongs on a boat than an automobile. There were three models in the Vignale lineup, which included the convertible, a coupe and the Berlinetta. When it was new, this 750 was a very pretty combination of red over white vinyl, and that interior is included in the sale.
Floors have already been cut out due to rust and replacement panels are included. In addition, the sale will included the original engine which was rebuilt years ago; current condition unknown. The engine does turn, but the seller does not believe the freshened motor was ever used, as the project was abandoned mid-way through tear-down. The good news is that the Fiat was legally imported through both California and Canada and comes with its US title document.
As you can see, a large percentage of the parts necessary for rebuild are included in the sale. Door panels, headlights, trim, seats, carpet and the aforementioned floor panels (imported from Italy) are all included. Although Vignale is well-known for their work with the likes of Ferrari and Maserati, this Fiat seems much more obscure. And with an asking price of $7,500, that’s a lot of exclusivity for less than $10K.
All little convertibles can be compared to a boat. :) I suspect the bracing installed to support the door openings during the welding process enhance that perception, but, of course, they will be gone when the work is completed.
Reminds me of an Amphicar. Saw one merging onto I-287 last year, it was neat.
Looks like a BMW 700.
Thought that front end styling looked familiar….
…..to this. Matt, you saw one merging onto an interstate? That’s one brave captain!
Yes, I definitely did a double-take!
This is what it would look like when restored
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C824496
At $16k $ plus delivery from U.K., the restored version looks like a bargain vs this project LD71😄
After reading this I had a big smile on my face, I thought there were two…
How does one verify “one of one” in USA and technically speaking, it’s in Canada.
I believe the author said “North America”. Last I checked, Canada was still considered “North America”, but things may have changed.
Yeah , OK but how does anyone “know” it’s the “only” one?? Seems impossible to determine. Recently saw a guy advertising a particular Daimler on eBay as one of only two in America so I pointed out to him that I’ve personally seen “three of those two” and his car wasn’t one of them.
I’m hoping the comment about the odd windshield came from someone who hasn’t taken a fragile body down to almost nothing for restoration. Those side bars are for reinforcement and not part of the original car.
Greetings All,
This is a rear engined car correct?
Not sure if they are using the same underpinnings from the 850?
Yes. Rear engine. They are based on the Fiat 600 platform. That’s why replacement floors are available.
A good friend in Europe had one of these back in the mid 70s, It was rusing badly even then. Fiat was known for having rust problems, attributed to lower quality steel used [what was often called soft steel, I believe due to a lower carbon content]. Another rust prone car manufacturer had the same situation; Studebaker. To keep their cars competitive price wise, Studebaker used cheaper steel.
I knew the Italian family that had the Fiat franchise in College Park, MD. I can remember Fiat cars being repaired in their body shop because the floors rusted out, sometimes while the car was still under the 1 year warranty. The biggest problem for the floors was the cars used a jute padding underlay on the floor, with a full rubber mat instead of carpeting, thereby trapping moisture between the rubber and the steel floor.
In about 1978 I remember seeing a 600 coupe with the interior stripped out, and new floors being welded into the car, and that car was only a few years old. I was told Fiat also didn’t put a final paint color coat on the floors, only primer [a cost saving trick]. Once the floor developed tiny rust holes, every time the car was driven in the rain, more water was splashed up into the jute padding.
It was not uncommon in the Mid-Atlantic region, to find 8 to 10 year old Fiats in scrapyards, with little or no bottoms existing on the body. I had a cute little Fiat 124 wagon come into my restoration shop, the owner wanting to have the rust repaired. When he found out how much it would cost, he ended up giving it to one of my mechanics. He said his wife refused to ride in the car anymore, because if he drove thru a rain puddle near the curb, she would get drenched with dirty water!
And for all you detectives in the Washington, DC area: There sits 2 rare Fiat 1200 cabriolets, one with the rare O.S.C.A. overhead cam engine, are sitting in a nice dry garage behind the owner’s home. Both are up on blocks. He bought the OSCA brand new, and the other one a few years later. He won’t sell either car. I’ve discussed them with his son, who says he’s just waiting for dear old dad to kick the bucket, then he’s going to restore the OSCA. I believe the OSCA is a 1959, and it has 1961 DC license plates! But I think the other cabrio could be bought once dad is out of the picture!
The photo is of an O.S.C.A. Fiat, but not this one.
Fiat has the dubious honor of being the only manufacturer required to recall entire cars! Due to rust issues. This about 1983 or 1984. Of course Fiat was officially gone by then, the few remaining cars were sold as Bertone (The X1/9) or Pinninfarina (124 Spyders).
The OSCA engined cars were called 1500S and 1600S (with a slightly larger engine and twin carbs). All derived from the 1200.
bob is correct. If this is a Rivera it is a Neckar, which means that it is a Fiat sold under licence in Germany. The Neckar Jagst was the Fiat 600 built and sold by Neckar in Germany.
This is a Michelotti design for Vignale, was available in Italy badged as a Vignale, but the majority of the few survivors are badged as Neckars I think these cars were actually built in Italy and finished in Germany, but to be honest no-one knows very much about the Neckar operation.
I only know about it because I found and restored the Neckar Weinsburg Coupé in the pic, which is one of less than 50 survivors of the Neckar version of the Fiat 500.
I wondered if Michelotti had a hand in this. Very similar to the BMW 700 Cabrio he had part in styling.
http://www.mein-suedhessen.de/resources/mediadb/2012/08/26/20289_web.jpg?1345997214
This Fiat would make a good floor display in a dealership. Being retired I’d line up some dealerships that want something a little different on their floor and every couple weeks move it on to another one. Of course I’ve been in marketing for 55 years so I see things a little different…………..lol
There is one currently for sale at classic dealer in Houtcamp in Holland – very nice, complete & running for 12,000 euros
But still, Isetta is funnier :)
https://dyler.com/cars/476/bmw-isetta-1960-red