1957 Fiat 1200 Spider

This one-off Fiat Stanguellini is a design by Franco Scaglione and was built by Bertone in collaboration with Vittorio Stanguellini. Automobili Stanguellini produced a variety of small sports cars and single-seaters using Fiat components and the cars achieved numerous victories in the 750cc and 1100cc classes. This spectacular coachwork echoes the famous Alfa Romeo BAT cars.

Nuccio Bertone himself, in 1957, acquired a Fiat 1100 TV (Touring Veloce) that was factory-uprated to 1200 specifications and then modified by Stanguelling for increased performance. It was commission number 8900 and was labeled as prototipo 8901 and clothed in unique bodywork styled by Bertone designer Franco Scaglione.

The rear tailfins echo Scaglione's Alfa Romeo BAT cars, while the overall shape presaged the Sprint Speciale prototype he would soon design for Milan. Other aesthetic features include a wraparound one-piece windscreen and large door scallops.

This unique Spider, dubbed the Spider America, was presented at the Turin and Geneva Salons in 1957 and also at the Concorso d'Eleganza in Cortina d'Ampezzo in July 1958. It then went to Argentina and was shown at the Salon del Automovil de Buenos Aires in December of 1960. The car was then sold and its new owner drove it for several years until it broke down and was abandoned. Its current owner found the car in 1994 in very sad condition but with all of its original parts intact. The car has been restored to its international motor-show condition.

The restored car has been presented at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in 2004. In 2015, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.