1960 Fiat 1500 OSCA spider

Just arrived. an exceptionally rare two owner car requiring detail improvement.

Left hand drive and sold with an age related registration.

History of this car

We have just imported this beautiful Fiat from Palermo. Sicily. where the Fiat was registered new in 1960.

The man we bought the Fiat from. a fashion retailer. had owned the car since 1980. enjoying the spider as a weekend car. Our Fiat had a restoration in 1995 and has seen little use since.

Today the car presents as an older restoration. very solid and running well but needing detail TLC.

Body

The paint on this Pininfarina designed Fiat is an older painting in argento silver (the original colour) holding up well and it has an even shine with no orange peel. Door panel fitment. often a problem on this model. is fine. There are a few marks and the odd very small bubble in the paintwork. although the body and chassis are very solid. In general the paint is in keeping with a 20 year old repaint.

Glass is generally very good apart from some abrasions to the windscreen. The lenses are undamaged but one rear lens has UV bleaching.

The hood and hood frame were restored and replaced recently and are perfect. going up and down easily and quickly.

All the bright work on the car is present and correct and undamaged. although there is pickling to most items and you'd need to rechrome the car to perfect it; the ornate alloy grille is however in mint condition.

Mechanics

The heart of this car is of course the Maserati designed and Fiat made twin cam engine which is in good order and runs sweetly with factory oil pressure. no leaks to speak of and minimal smoke. An electric fuel pump is a recent fitment. oil and plugs are new and the Weber carburettor is fitted with a period FISPA sports air cleaner; the car starts on the button hot or cold and has benefitted from a recent tune up.

Clutch and gearbox are good and the differential was replaced in 2015. The brakes – discs on this model – are good and pull the car up squarely. Under bonnet presentation is nice and tidy. tyres and exhaust are older and a good service is recommended as only minimal miles have been covered in recent years.

The Fiat will be supplied with a new MOT.

Interior

The dominant feature of this interior is the gorgeous original Nardi steering wheel. and the Fiat is generally very good inside with nicely retrimmed seats. door cards and rear shelf and new carpets. The matting is in good original condition.

Obvious interventions to improve the interior would include dashboard wood varnishing. the instrument bezels need rechroming. and the Nardi wheel would benefit from new lacquer; the temperature gauge is erratic. as is the fuel gauge so these need attention.

Boot

Surprisingly roomy and in clean condition. original mat. jack and spare in place.

Summary

The price suggested is that achieved by the sister 1500 pushrod engined cabriolets so this rare OSCA Fiat represents excellent value. It can be used as is and improved over time or a small investment now will transform this Fiat into a valuable asset. We don't have the time otherwise we'd do it ourselves!

Want to buy this car?