By Robert Emslie
You probably know of the Fiat 124 Spider, with its lovey Pininfarina-penned body, and the 124 Coupe, which wore a set of clothes designed by Bertone. What you may not have been aware of was this one-off Pininfarina coupe with a wrap-around rear window and Ferrari-esque proportions. I’m guessing that if Fiat had gone in this direction, the 124 would be a much more wildly sought after car today. Molto bello!
Image: eBay
Latest
Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Project Cars, DIY, Travel, Adventure, Podcast, Videos
Jeff Glucker
Stunning! Just the right size, colours and proportions to have me googling…
It’s as if the 124 Spider, Series IV / V Sunbeam Alpine, and a Volvo P1800 were involved in some sort of gene-splicing experiment – and the result is oddly-appealing. Shame it never saw full production.
It would have come up against the more practical, just as pretty, (prettier?), 124 2+2 Coupe.
http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/file/width/640/media/5851292/Fiat%20124%20Sport%20Coupe%20(2).jpg
Which was extensively ‘facelifted’ into the series 2.
http://i39.tinypic.com/2a92kjn.jpg
Definitely agreed. That said, I can see where the Pininfarina coupé may have had more appeal for anyone looking to track the car, or who was running up against track regulations requiring a fixed roof. However, I can also see where having two coupés in the lineup that looked different but that were essentially the same under the skin would have been utterly pointless.
However, I’d also love to know if this used the Abarth’s IRS. Would make for an interesting missing link (no pun intended) between the Spider, Coupé, and Abarth.
There were other 124 Coupes available
Moretti
http://only-carz.com/data_images/models/moretti-coupe/moretti-coupe-12.jpg
Eveline by Vignale
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/studios/1969-Vignale-Fiat-124-Coupe-Eveline-UK-Brochure-01.jpg
Touring Cabriolet
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/studios/1966-Touring-Fiat-124-C4-Cabriolet-01.jpg
First thought: P1800 modified
Second thought: MG, Sunbeam or something British (probably the BRG paint helped.)
Third thought: Why not read the text and find out? Only the hood line and headlight nacelle really said Fiat Spider to me.
Re: the second thought: there’s a touch of Mk. 3/4 Triumph Spitfire in the rear haunches.
Someone should offer a removable hardtop styled after this design for the Spiders, since the overall lower-body shape appears similar to the Spider.
I wonder if it had the I.R.S. of the Abarth rally versions?
https://myntransportblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/fiat-abarth-124-rallyes-in-abarth-factory-in-turin.jpg?w=640
http://www.roadsmile.com/images600_/fiat-124.jpg
Fiat must sure miss those days…
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=64061&stc=1&d=1176860887