In 1953, Fiat introduced their new 1100-103. The 1955 Trasformabile (Italian for “convertible”) is generally considered the work of Fiat’s design director Fabio Luigi Rapi.
Teasingly voluptuous, it had a forward-leaning stance. Divided mesh grilles at the front were complemented by a wrap-around windshield. The haunches were understated but set off with a broad, slightly diagonal molding. Trasformabiles were soon given the Turismo Veloce (fast touring) engine. There was an adjustable steering wheel and roll-up windows provided comfort in all weather.
For 1958, the TV option was effectively replaced by a larger 1,221- cc engine, which developed 55 horsepower in standard form. This is one of two examples that were acquired for this particular collection. As with many of the numerous Fiats in this stable, it was acquired because it was a particularly good and original example of its breed.
An original, U.S.-delivered car with odometer in miles, it was purchased by the current owners and promptly shipped to their home in Israel. 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.
In the current ownership for something approaching 34 years now, and with three decades since the restoration, the car has gained only light age, and remains extremely well presented. In recent years its interior has been refurbished, and a few detail features, such as door handles and the trunk push button, have been freshly rechromed. Moreover, it is has always been kept in a condition in which it could be readily used as and when required. When last inspected, the car was seen to run and drive particularly well, with spritely performance.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1959 Fiat 1200 TV Roadster |
| Number Produced: | 2,360 |
| Original List Price: | $2,750 |
| SCM Valuation: | Median to date, $48,000; high sale, $81,400 |
| Tune Up Cost: | $285 |
| Chassis Number Location: | Engine bulkhead, on metal plate, also stamped into metal |
| Engine Number Location: | On intake side of block |
| Club Info: | Fiat Club America |
| Website: | http://www.fiatclubamerica.com |
| Alternatives: | 1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible, 1962 Corvair Monza convertible, 1959 Renault Caravelle |
| Investment Grade: | C |
This car, Lot 107, sold for $38,500 at Bonhams’ Amelia Island Auction at Fernandina Beach, FL, on March 10, 2016.
With interest in 1950s Italian small-bore cars increasing rapidly, and the aesthetic appeal of many of the custom-bodied examples exciting collectors from Pebble Beach to Villa d’Este, eyes always turn to these cars when they appear at auction — especially in the United States, where so few were sold when new.
I have written a book titled Stile Transatlantico/ Transatlantic Style — a Romance of Chrome & Fins that shines a light onto the creative exchange of ideas between Italy and America in the 10 years between 1949 and 1959. The Fiat 1100 TV is a wonderful example of what can happen when an Italian manufacturer looks to impress buyers in what is viewed as a key market — the United States.
While the best in Italian design before and after World War II was simple, clean and elegant — and emphasized pure shapes over surface decoration — the draw of a little Yankee bling couldn’t be ignored when chasing U.S. dollars.
In the spirit of the truly bizarre Austin A90 Atlantic, Fiat sought to build a sporty open car to catch the eye of what they saw as the footloose, fancy-free, cash-packed America of the 1950s.
Bling that didn’t sing
What did you need for success? Chrome, space-age dazzle and complex shapes. The 1100 TV Spider launched in 1955 was a symphony of flamboyant details, from the pedestrian-threatening winged hood ornament to the deeply dished three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel with floating chrome three-quarter horn ring and oh-so-Detroit wide fender hip chrome band, wraparound windshield and swiveling, easy-entry bucket seats.
The crowning touch was the faux-wire hubcaps — although to be fair, even the 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America was first shown with similar decoration.
As did their U.K. predecessors, Fiat and their importer Roosevelt Motors quickly discovered that this was actually not the car to work the U.S. market into a cash-spending froth.
So Fiat gave the Spider a facelift in 1957, which brought the 1,221-cc engine and a simplification of the trim, which unfortunately eliminated all that was really interesting about the steering wheel, instrument cluster and that wacky hood ornament.
The new 1200 TV still didn’t find many takers. It was not until the sleek, clean Pininfarina-penned 1959 1200 Spider that Fiat got the formula right for volume sales across the Atlantic.
More is more
Ironically, as a collector car, the excesses of the 1100 TV Spider are far more desirable than the “reformed” 1200 TV. With that being said, the scarcity of some trim pieces and the expense of chroming means the differences in individual examples count for more than whether it is an 1100 or 1200.
Values are accordingly all over the map. The Keno Brothers New York City sale in November 2015 featured a 1957 1200 TV that brought an impressive $72,800. This was for a car in similar condition to our subject car, but it had many small incorrect details, especially under the hood. By all accounts, that car was well sold.
The U.S. auction high-water mark for the 1200 TV is the $81,400 achieved at Gooding & Company in Scottsdale, AZ, in January 2015. That car was superbly restored and presented, and the $8,600 difference in price from the Keno Brothers car wouldn’t pay for a third of the bill for chroming.
An honest car — and a deal
Our subject car, on the other hand, seems to have fallen through the cracks.
I inspected this car a while back in the collection from which it came, and I was generally impressed with its honesty. It is hardly the concours-ready example sold at Gooding, but it is a straight-enough example that showed clearly where it had some not-very-major needs. It was a screaming bargain compared with the car sold in New York. If the work is done correctly to improve it — and the car is held long enough — it should prove to be a very smart buy.
The Fiat 1100/1200 is an entertaining drive in all forms: sedan, wagon, convertible and custom-bodied variants. Their appeal is in their character, the directness of the handling, numerous small details in construction and controls — and the fact that they all put a smile on the face of their drivers, passengers and all who see them go by. That such pleasure can be had for such a reasonable price only makes it sweeter. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.)
