Fiat’s range of vehicles spanned the spectrum from the sublime to the ridiculous, with everything in between. On the one hand, we have the Fiat 8V – a masterpiece in sheet metal. On the other hand, the bony 131 saloon was as uninspiring as weak tea. Today’s 1965 1500 cabriolet is a terrific example of Fiat at its accessible best: beautifully designed, not terribly expensive, well-appointed, and a spritely performer. This well-restored car is available here on craigslist for $21,995. It’s located in Croyden, New Hampshire, and we have JDC to thank for this stylish tip!
Fiat’s first 1500 was a wind-tunnel-tested exercise in aerodynamics, introduced at about the same time as the Chrysler Airflow in the mid 1930s. But unlike the Airflow, Fiat’s offering was available in many body styles, and sold well. The 1493 cc six-cylinder engine was gradually improved, and favorable evolution modernized the rest of the mechanicals as well. These cars can sell for high five figures today, depending on the coachbuilder. Fast forward to the early 1960s, and the “new” 1500 was equipped with a 1481 cc OHV four-cylinder generating 80 bhp, mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. This engine bay is nearly pristine, with a high-quality paint job, bright plating, and respectable finishes on most components. On the other hand, the underside wears a bit too much undercoating for my taste.
The interior is mostly well-done, offset by minor issues like the lumpy fit of the boxing portion of the seat covers – the strip between the front and back of the seat. But I’m being picky! Like the engine bay, the dash paint is immaculate. The gauges are impressively bright, and virtually all the other cabin trim is present and in good condition. Difficult bits like the window felts, the top frame, and sill plates look great; the rubber seals appear new. The trunk would benefit from a pass with a vacuum cleaner; otherwise, it’s spiffy as the rest of the vehicle. The spare tire should be housed beneath the trunk’s rubber mat.
Pininfarina’s styling makes a class act of this little Fiat, with details like chrome fin trim, bumper over-riders canted toward the car’s body, and the tidy proportions. A couple of quibbles of mine – I wish the side trim followed the entire character line from front to back; and the set of the wheels vis-à-vis the body seems awkwardly drawn in. But on the whole, it’s a lovely car, and I certainly wouldn’t push it out of my garage. What do you think?
Pretty little cars, but modest performance made them something of a hard sell in the days when Healeys, MGs and Triumphs (not to mention the Datsun roadsters) were most popular. I recall — but correct me if I’m wrong — that the Fiats were priced toward the higher end of the market when new, as well.
Looks like someone expended a fair amount of time and money to get this example looking so good, and if the running condition matches the shine, the price seems reasonable enough.
The underside would demand a very, very close inspection, though. Slathering so much underseal on everything is often a sign that there’s rot underneath. As Fiats had a propensity to rust anyway, I’m suspicious.
Been around the block. https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1921866/1965-fiat-1500-for-sale-in-cadillac-michigan-49601