1963 Fiat (OSCA) 1500 S Cabriolet

Registration No: JVS 539
Chassis No: 118S002189
MOT: Exempt

• Very early example manufactured in August 1959, before arriving in the United Kingdom in 1964
• In current ownership for over two decades
• Uprated with a 1585cc Fiat twin-cam engine, fully overhauled and balanced by twin-cam specialist Guy Croft with Stage 1 conversion
• Has completed numerous trips to the continent, including to Spa and Le Mans

When Fiat collaborates with its fellow countrymen, it doesn’t mess about (think Fiat Dino)! Exquisitely styled by Pininfarina and with a race-derived engine by the Maserati brothers, the OSCA 1500 was the perfect solution to the problem with Fiat’s 1200 sports car; that it looked great, but it was too slow to be considered a conventional sports car! Utilising the 1491cc twin-cam engine from the Maserati brothers’ OSCA racing concern, which was previously used in the MT4 race car. Launched in late-1959, the Fiat 1500 OSCA Cabriolet provided the performance to match the good looks of the 1200. The engine laid out longitudinally, driving the rear wheels with disc brakes on the front axle. The fully trimmed cabin featured roll-up windows, courtesy lights, finely detailed instrumentation, adjustable bucket seats, a locking steering column, clock, cigarette lighter, and footrest for passenger, all helping give the little FIAT a distinct upmarket feel.

A notably early example with drum brakes, it is understood to have been manufactured in August 1959, with the vendor reputing that chassis ‘118S002189’ could have been ordered at the Geneva Motor Show. Supplied new to Switzerland, the Fiat only resided there for a short spell before arriving in the United Kingdom in 1964. Spotted for sale in Classic Car Weekly in 2004 by the vendor, a Fiat enthusiast and club member following his father owning vintage Fiats, he purchased the Cabriolet but quickly found the car to not be as described, suffering a badly cracked block and seized springs. Remarkably managing to source an unused 1592cc Fiat twin-cam engine, the engine was entrusted to twin-cam guru Guy Croft for a full overhaul, who remarked that it was 'factory fresh and had never been fired up'! Stripped, balanced, and fine-tolerated, it was also provided with a Stage 1 conversion kit. The vendor informs that the Fiat performs excellently with a comfortable cruising speed of 70mph, with the Cabriolet further featuring the four-speed gearbox.

Continually improved throughout the vendor’s ownership, some notable improvements have included relined brakes and re-sleeved brake cylinder, new master and clutch cylinders, a stainless-steel exhaust system and manifold, a fully refreshed fuel system, and a bare metal repaint around 10 years ago. Furthermore, the cambelt, idler pulley and water pump were changed a couple of years ago, and the Fiat has been serviced annually throughout the vendors ownership. Well known in Fiat circles, the vendor has kept the Cabriolet on trickle charge and in a carcoon throughout his ownership. Completing numerous trips to the continent, including motoring pilgrimages to Spa and Le Mans, ‘JVS 539’ has also been a regular attendee at classic and Italian car events, including previously winning the nicest bodywork at SpaItalia. The vendor informs that the odometer reading of just shy of 13,000 miles is correct since the engine overhaul.

Offered with a history file that includes a large collection of invoices for maintenance and improvements, previous MOT certificates, ownership records, a copy of the AutoItalia magazine in which it features, and a current V5C document, as well as a jack and car cover. Starting very readily and running well during the recent photography session, this is an opportunity to purchase a decidedly rare 1500 Cabriolet, uprated with better performance for modern traffic!

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452