The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The design of the new Fiat 2300S luxury coupe was entrusted to Ghia and was lead by Sergio Sartorelli with contributions from Tom Tjaarda. The new coupe, which was based on the Fiat 2300 saloon, debuted at the Turin Motor Show in 1960. It was well received and entered production two years later.
The Fiat 2300 S Coupé Ghia was well received by the public and entered production two years later in 1962. The Ghia coupe was powered by a 2,279 cc ohv straight six engine which produced 105BHP while the Fiat 2300S was tweaked by Abarth. They added an extra Weber carburettor, special pistons, a modified camshaft and a sports exhaust which increased output to an impressive 136 BHP. A four speed transmission was standard though an automatic was also available as an option.
The Fiat 2+2 Coupé was well appointed on the inside with round dash gauges, vinyl seats and a classic Nardi wood rimmed sports steering wheel. The cars sporting aspirations were further hinted by a passenger foot rest and grab handle on the transmission tunnel. Despite its stylish GT looks, excellent performance and handling, the 2300S Coupé Ghia wasn’t a big seller. Approximately 7,000 were built between 1962 – 1968 with the coupe eventually replaced by the Fiat Dino Coupe which was introduced in 1967.
There are in the history of companies, just as in the history of nations, certain fateful episodes, which have an influence on the course of events well in excess of their actual importance. Chrysler’s request to Ghia to build for them, to their design, a special body on a Plymouth chassis, is one of these episodes.
Designer Sergio Sartorelli was born in Alessandria in 1928; he took the degree in Mechanical Engineering at the “Politecnico” of Turin and soon became interested in cars.
Read part 1 The revolution by Savonuzzi The succession of prototypes made on behalf of Chrysler undoubtedly influenced the 1951 project by Piero Dusio,…
