1961 Fiat 1500S Spyder

In 1955, Fiat introduced a Spider Roadster on the 1100-cubic centimeter chassis. In 1959, the design was updated with a smaller version of the Ferrari 250 Pininfarina Cabriolet. The Maserati brothers were contracted to manufacture their MT4 racing engine under license, and a twin-cam 1500 cubic-centimeter version gave the new car a top speed of 100 mph.

Pininfarina handled the assembly of the 1500S and 1600S versions through the model's run, but the cars always wore Fiat badges. It is believed that 3,089 of the 34,211 Fiat Spiders and Coupes built in this period were twin-cam OSCA-powered. The 1959-1962 versions can be identified by their hood scoop.

This example wears an older restoration. The odometer shows just 43,000 miles. The car is believed to have been imported to Miami, and years later, it found its way up to Ontario, Canada. Mark Motors in Ottawa bought the Spider from an estate sale, and they would own it twice in the course of 20 years.

The engine is a dual overhead cam 1491cc unit offering 75 horsepower. At all four corners are hydraulic disc brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019