Fiat 1400 Cabriolet Carrozzerie Speciali

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 1400 Cabriolet Carrozzerie Speciali is a limited-production open automobile derived from the Fiat 1400 sedan and constructed by Fiat’s in-house coachbuilding division, Sezione Carrozzerie Speciali, in the early 1950s. Introduced shortly after the launch of the standard 1400 in 1950, the cabriolet variant was developed to serve as a stylistic and technical showcase for Fiat at international exhibitions. It appeared prominently at the Frankfurt and Paris motor shows in 1951, reflecting the company’s ambition to reposition itself in the postwar European market not only as a producer of mass-market vehicles but also as a proponent of refined, modern design. Mechanically, the cabriolet retained the underpinnings of the standard sedan, including a 1,395 cc inline four-cylinder engine with overhead valves, producing approximately 44 horsepower. The powertrain was coupled with a column-mounted four-speed manual transmission and sent drive to the rear wheels. The ladder-frame chassis remained unaltered, but reinforcement measures were introduced to compensate for the absence of a fixed roof structure, preserving adequate torsional rigidity. The cabriolet bodywork was executed in steel, with a manually operated folding soft top that stowed behind the rear seats. The design was characterized by clean, geometric lines and restrained chrome detailing along the grille, bumpers, and body sides. The interior featured a symmetrical dashboard with dual gauges, a large two-spoke steering wheel, and seating for four in a modestly upholstered cabin, generally trimmed in two-tone cloth or leatherette. The configuration emphasized an equilibrium between comfort and practicality, in line with contemporary Italian design principles. Production of the Fiat 1400 Cabriolet Carrozzerie Speciali remained extremely limited. Chassis number 900775 is among the few documented examples. First registered in Italy, this car was retained for many years in private ownership and surfaced as a restoration candidate in 2024, bearing 40,100 kilometers. It was subsequently acquired at auction following multiple failed sale attempts. A second example, restored and finished in Amaranto with a Panno Bianco interior, was offered for sale by a dealership in Reggio Emilia. The model occupies a marginal yet illustrative place in the history of postwar Italian coachbuilding, serving as a discreet expression of Fiat’s capacity to merge industrial production with measured stylistic ambition.