Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Gran Sport

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Gran Sport, created in 1946 by Ghia, is a dazzling example of Italian automotive artistry and innovation in the post-war era. Conceived by Ghia designer Fedele Bianco, the project aimed to give the Fiat 1500 a strikingly unique body, akin to Revelli’s work for the Alfa 6C 2500 in 1943 and Michelotti’s for the Lancia Astura in 1948. Bianco’s design was enhanced by the flamboyant fenders with expandable parts, crafted by Umberto Capalbi, reflecting the bold and expressive style of the time. Only four Gran Sports were built: two coupés and two cabriolets. The two coupés were powered by Fiat 1100 and 1500 engines, respectively; of these, one is housed in a museum while the other is lost to history. Similarly, the Fiat 1100 Cabriolet no longer survives, leaving the Fiat 1500 Ghia Cabriolet as the sole remaining example of this magnificent series. The Fiat 1500 Cabriolet enjoyed a triumphant year in 1947, making its mark at prestigious concours d’élégance events across Italy and Monaco. Its road presence and innovative design garnered widespread acclaim. On March 28, the car tied for first place with a Maserati A6 1500 GT Pininfarina at the Monte Carlo Concours d’Élégance. In May, it won the “Città dei Fiori” award in San Remo for the most innovative vehicle. June saw its participation at the Rome Concours d’Élégance, followed by a first-place finish at Turin’s event on June 28. Finally, in September, it claimed first prize in its class at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Élégance. Originally painted gray-blue to distinguish it from the Fiat 1100 variant, the Cabriolet featured a clever design innovation: it could be transformed from a two-seater into a four-seater with a simple, effortless adjustment. This blend of practicality and aesthetic brilliance, along with its competition success, established the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Gran Sport as one of Ghia’s finest creations and a shining symbol of post-war Italian design ingenuity.