Fiat 1600 Cabriolet Fissore

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 1600 Cabriolet Fissore is a rare and distinctive open-top sports car produced in the early 1960s by the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Fissore. Based on the Fiat 1600 S platform, this model exemplifies the tradition of Italian coachbuilding, where independent designers crafted bespoke bodies atop standard mechanical underpinnings. Carrozzeria Fissore, established in Savigliano, Italy, was renowned for its custom automotive designs during the mid-20th century. In the early 1960s, Fissore collaborated with Fiat to create a limited series of vehicles featuring unique bodywork. Among these was the Fiat 1600 Cabriolet, which combined Fiat’s engineering with Fissore’s distinctive styling. The Fiat 1600 Cabriolet Fissore was powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four engine, delivering approximately 90 horsepower. This engine, developed in collaboration with OSCA (Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili), featured a twin-cam design that provided spirited performance for the era. Paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, the car offered an engaging driving experience characteristic of Italian sports cars of the time. The design of the 1600 Cabriolet showcased Fissore’s commitment to elegance and innovation. The body featured clean lines, a low-slung profile, and subtle chrome accents, distinguishing it from Fiat’s standard offerings. The interior was appointed with high-quality materials, reflecting the bespoke nature of the vehicle. Production numbers for the Fiat 1600 Cabriolet Fissore were extremely limited, contributing to its exclusivity and desirability among collectors today. The collaboration between Fiat and Fissore on this model exemplifies the era’s trend of combining reliable mechanical underpinnings with bespoke coachbuilt bodies to create unique and stylish automobiles.