Tri-Vette

Built as a response to the oil embargo of the early 70’s by Bob Keyes, from 1974 until 1978, 27 were custom built in Ventura California and classed as motorcycles. The original ones were powered by Fiat 850 engines which despite the additional weight would still get 50-65mpg.

Fiat Vignale Samantha

Taking the Fiat 125s Vignale, an Italian coachbuilder whose credits have included Ferrari and Maserati, created this sleek coupe. It’s even said that it was penned by company owner Alfredo Vignale who wanted to create a luxury coupe for daily use. It was debuted at the 1967 Turin Motor Show to a fantastic reception and soon went into production.

Seat Raider / Anibal Podadera

With Seat’s first fully independently designed and built car from Fiat, the Ibiza in the bag and selling well Spanish Francisco Podadera proposed a coupe version to take in the Toyota MR2 and Fiat X1/9. Not only did he propose it he also built prototype, which apart from having its rear roof and seats removed also had a severe nose job that added those much needed 80’s pop up lights and 6”. As you can see the body was also seriously re-worked and replaced with fiberglass.

Pininfarina Fiat Abarth 2000

Just looking at this car and you know when it was built, that change from chrome and tradition but before the wedge, oh yes we're talking the late 60's early 70's when concept building was all about one upmanship. This was the 1969 offering by Pininfarina fits perfectly in that change in design philosophy.

Fiat City Car (X1/23)

This 1972 concept car is well ahead of its time, small and powered by an electric motor. Unfortunately back in the 1970’s battery technology want what it is today and 166kgs of batteries were squeezed into the diminutive dimensions of the prototype. Fiat claimed a top speed of 50mph and a range of 45 miles, but a a weight of 820kgs this may have been optimistic. These weren’t the only potential problems the side windows were so low that couldn’t be opened all the way.