The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The Fiat 127 Dingy designed by Pietro Frua
The Fiat 127 Dingy, unveiled by Pietro Frua at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show, is a unique and charming adaptation of the Fiat 127. Built in a limited series, the 127 Dingy maintained the core features of the original model, offering a blend of practicality and style designed specifically for use as a support vehicle in tourist resorts, or “Spiaggetta.” The design of the Dingy retained many elements from the Fiat 127, ensuring it remained familiar to drivers. It featured the dashboard from the basic version of the Fiat 127, combining simplicity and functionality. The car also incorporated bumpers from the special version, adding a touch of refinement, and utilized wheels from the second series, although these wheels had already appeared on some examples of the first series special. The Fiat 127 Dingy stood out for its purpose-driven design and distinctive character, embodying Frua’s vision of a versatile and stylish vehicle tailored for leisurely, resort environments. This model remains a testament to the creativity and adaptability of Italian automotive design in the late 1970s.
The birth of the Spiaggina (Spiaggia = Beach) takes place in the immediate post-war period at the initiative of some Italian coachbuilders which transformed small mass production cars in order to make them suitable for the needs of wealthy customers during the holiday period in the seaside resorts.
