1966 FIAT 1500 COUPÉ PININFARINA

No reserve Pininfarina style Rare model Easy mechanics No registration title Chassis n° 118K*045234 Launched in the fall of 1961, the Fiat 1500 sedan takes over the 1200 Granluce. The Turin-based manufacturer, whose image was essentially associated with the production of mass-produced cars, wanted to enter the market of brands with a sportier temperament and to compete with the English MG and Triumph, as well as its compatriot Alfa Romeo. It was in this context that an agreement was signed with the famous bodywork company, Pininfarina, which was given the task of developing a convertible and coupé version of the 1500. The result is a well-balanced body with very attractive elongated lines contained between round headlights at the front and vertically positioned taillights of the most beautiful effect. Until the end of 1964, the convertibles and coupes were equipped with a 4-cylinder 67 hp engine and a four-speed manual gearbox. In 1965, the two versions inherited the technical evolutions made on the 1500 C Sedan and Familiare. The engine power was increased to 75 hp, while the gearbox now had five speeds. The top speed is increased from 160 to 165 km/h, and the 0 to 100 km/h time is 15.1 seconds. In addition to the standard versions equipped with the single camshaft engine, the sporty S versions will benefit from the collaboration with OSCA (i.e., the Maserati brothers) and double shaft 1,500 cc engines producing 80 hp, then 1,600 cc putting out 90 hp, distant cousins of the engine of the MT4 racing car. Production of the 1500, cabriolet and coupé, ended in 1967, with only about 2,200 of the 1500 Coupé being assembled. Other signs of the Fiat 1500’s move upmarket were the leather seats and backrests (available on request from 1963) and an elegant dashboard with full instrumentation. Finally, a last detail specific to the 1965 and 1966 model years, the trapezoidal logo was replaced by a round one surrounded by laurels, as a tribute to the glorious past of the brand in competition at the beginning of the century. The Pininfarina 1500 Coupé presented here is therefore of great rarity. This very elegant coupe seems to have been driven until the early 1990s. It is now presented to us as a car to be left in its original state, easily restarted or, for those who would like a car in concours condition, as a very interesting basis for restoration. The engine is not blocked, the platform shows some rust traces, and the interior has some tears.