1964 Fiat 2300

At the 1960 Turin Motor Show, the Fiat 2300 Coupe was exhibited as a Sergio Sartorelli design concept on Carrozzeria Ghia's stand. Ghia initially intended to build the 2300 in house at their facilities, but construction was later assigned to OSI as Ghia was unable to supply the volumes needed for production. Power was from a 2,279cc overhead valve six-cylinder engine offering 105 horsepower, or 136 bhp for the twin-carburetor 'S' version. It was an overhead valve straight-six with a cast iron block and aluminum cylinder head. It had a single twin-choke downdraught carburetor, and the 'S' version used two twin-choke horizontal carburetors.

Introduced in 1961, they were a logical successor to the 2100 that was produced from 1959 to 1961, and a larger sibling to the 1959 to 1968 Model 1800. The 2300 rested on a 2,650mm wheelbase, had unibody construction, and four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes. The suspension in the front was comprised of double wishbones, sprung by torsion bars, with hydraulic dampers and an anti-roll bar. In the back was a solid axle with leaf springs, hydraulic dampers and an anti-roll bar. Most of the 2300 models and all of the 2300S coupes were fitted with the all-synchromesh 4-speed manual transmission. An overdrive and a Saxomat automated clutch were optional. In 1966 a Borg Warner 3-speed automatic replaced the Saxomat option.

The Ghia styling was similar to the ASA and Ferrari 250 GT of the same era. The interior was luxurious with padded leather seats, a Nardi steering wheel, and other amenities.

Production of the Fiat 2300 lasted from 1961 through 1969.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020