Fiat 520 Spider Sport Montescani

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 520 Spider Sport Montescani was a bespoke automobile constructed in the late 1920s by the Italian coachbuilder Montescani of Turin. The vehicle was built on the chassis of the Fiat 520, a model produced by Fiat between 1927 and 1930. The 520 was equipped with a 2,244 cubic centimetres inline-six engine delivering approximately 46 horsepower, and featured a four-speed manual transmission with a rear-wheel-drive layout. Montescani’s Spider Sport variant was developed as a two-seat open body designed for sporting purposes. The coachwork employed aluminum panels fashioned into a streamlined form typical of late 1920s racing cars. The design included cycle-type fenders, a minimalist windscreen, and a low-profile bonnet, with the intention of reducing weight and aerodynamic drag. The configuration emphasized simplicity and function, reflecting the sporting intentions of the vehicle. The underlying chassis and mechanical components remained largely unchanged from the standard Fiat 520 specification. Suspension was conventional for the period, with solid axles front and rear and semi-elliptical leaf springs. Braking was provided by mechanically actuated drum brakes on all wheels. The powertrain configuration was front-engine, rear-wheel drive. The Fiat 520 Spider Sport Montescani was intended primarily for competition in Italian motorsport events such as the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. Its lightweight body and sporting design facilitated competitive performance within its displacement category during the late 1920s. However, documentation of individual chassis numbers and detailed racing results is limited. Production was minimal, with the Spider Sport remaining a rare example of interwar Italian coachbuilding. Montescani’s work on the Fiat 520 chassis exemplifies the custom nature of automotive construction during the era, in which coachbuilders adapted standard mechanical platforms to create individualized, sport-oriented vehicles. Surviving examples are rare and considered significant for their historical value. One specimens was exhibited at the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza di Mantova. The Fiat 520 Spider Sport Montescani remains a representative example of bespoke Italian automotive craftsmanship, illustrating the interplay between industrial engineering and artisanal coachbuilding characteristic of the period.