1961 FIAT 1200 Cabriolet

The Story

1961 Fiat 1200 Cabriolet - 'Vetture Speciali' Having recently come out of long-term ownership, I feel fortunate to become the next custodian of this beautiful Pininfarina designed 1961 Fiat 1200 'Vetture Speciali' Cabriolet. Originally first registered in Sydney after it arrived from Europe, the Fiat was designed by the legendary Pininfarina and hand-built in their Turin factory in Italy rather than on Fiat's own production line. I think that's part of what makes these cars so special. You can clearly see Pininfarina's elegant design language throughout the car, with styling that echoes many of the beautiful Italian sports and grand touring cars of the era. Whether the hood is up or down, it's an absolute joy to drive. It isn't a car about outright performance; it's about the experience. The light steering, wonderful visibility, distinctive exhaust notes and relaxed open-air touring make every drive feel like a special occasion. Under the bonnet is Fiat's wonderfully robust 1,221cc engine, breathing through a twin-choke Weber carburettor. Evolved from the base engine that was used in the Fiat 1100, with an increase in horsepower for the cabriolet. It's renowned for its reliability, simplicity and willingness to cruise comfortably on modern roads. Its mechanical simplicity and the unmistakable character goes well with that 1960's Pininfarina design.