1959 Fiat 1200 TV

Fiat introduced its 1100-103 (103 was the project number) two-seat cabriolet in the mid-1950s at the Geneva Motor Show. It was called the 'Trasformabile,' Italian for convertible, and is generally considered the creation of design director Fabio Luigi Rapi the department head of Fiat's in house special bodies division known as Dipartimento Carrozzerie Derivate e Speciali. It had a wrap-around windshield, divided mesh grilles, and a forward-leaning stance. Amenities included an adjustable steering wheel and roll-up windows.

Trasformabiles received the Turismo Veloce (fast touring) engine which added 12 additional horsepower over than standard model thanks to higher compression and twin-choke Weber carburetors. Approximately one thousand examples were built before the 1100cc Trasformabile roadster's were replaced by the updated 1200 model.

Fiat introduced the 1200 TV Trasformabile two-seater roadster at the 1957 Turin Motor Show. It was an updated version of the Fiat 1100 TV Trasformabile with the 1,221cc engine developing 55 horsepower in standard form. The car's seat now swiveled for easier egress and entry and the headlight size increased. They had new bumpers with taller over-riders moved further inboards, and there was a strip speedometer. In export markets, it was called the 1200 Spider.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 103G.115 004244
Engine number: 103G.004 549587

The design for the Fiat 1200 TV is generally attributed to Fiat's design director, Fabio Luigi Rapi, whose resume included the memorable Otto Vu. The underpinnings for the TV was shared with the 1200 Coupe and Sedan, but their popularity was completely different. Nearly 400,000 examples of the 1200 were produced but less than 2,350 examples were made of the Trasformabile. The Trasformabile had roll-up windows, a canvas top, and unique swivel-mounted seats.

This particular example is believed to have been delivered new to California and remained in the same ownership for approximately 30 years. In 2005, its third owner displayed the car at Concorso Italian, where it earned an award in the preservation class. In late 2005, the fourth owner commissioned a highly detailed restoration.

In 2010, the current owner treated the Spider to further mechanical refurbishment.

This car is powered by a 1221cc four-cylinder engine fitted with a Weber 2-barrel carburetor. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 103G.115*004228

Fiat introduced their 1100-103 in 1953 (the 103 was in reference to its project number). Called by Fiat 'Trasformabile' (Italian for convertible), it is considered the work of Fiat's design director Fabio Luigi Rapi. It was given a divided mesh grille in the front, a wrap-around windshield, and a forward-leaning stance. Trasformabiles were soon given the Turismo Veloce (fast touring) engine. Other features included roll-up windows and an adjustable steering wheel.

This particular 1200TV Roadster came into the care of its current owner in 1982, who had it promptly shipped to their home, at the time in Israel. It is an original U.S. delivered car with its odometer in miles. In the mid-1980s, it was shipped to Milan, Italy where it was restored over the course of a year and then brought back to New York, around 1987. In recent years, it has been refurbished with a few details such as door handles; the trunk push button has been re-chromed. It is powered by a 1221cc overhead valve four-cylinder engine fitted with 2 Twin-Throat Weber carburetors offering approximately 55 horse. There is a four-speed manual transmission, independent suspension setup, front disc brakes, and rear drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 103G.115 004092
Engine number: 103G.004 541544

This 1959 Fiat 1200 TV Spider is finished in Periwinkle Blue with contrasting navy-and-light-blue interior. It has a navy-blue canvas top, boot, and carpets. It is a numbers-matching example that received a restoration that was completed in 2015 by Auto Sport (now Bacchelli & Villa) in Modena, Italy.

This Fiat has been driven 88,500 km over its life and includes its original jack and spare wheel. It has been shown locally but never on a national level. It received Best of Show honors at the Festival Italiano in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, and the Best European Car award in Ridgewood, New Jersey, both in 2017.

by Dan Vaughan