The prototype of this car appeared at the Turin Show in 1960 as a styling exercise from Ghia. Fiat immediately saw the commercial potential in clothing a mass production chassis and engine in a lithe 2+2 body. The car bore the Fiat badge and began production little more than 1 year later, Fiat's flagship! The manufacture was somewhat unorthodox for a medium volume production car. The chassis were taken from the 2300 saloon production line to the Ghia factory, fitted with a body, then returned to Fiat. Cars to be fitted with the S type engine were then taken to Abarth for engine fitting and testing. Then once again back to Fiat for final finishing. Production figures are uncertain but thought to be about 7,000. Production ran from 1961 to 1967, with only cosmetic changes in 1964-5. The model achieved much success in European Touring car racing. If was highly acclaimed by the motoring press, offering masses of character without sacrificing good manners. Indeed, it was nicknamed the poor man's Ferrari, being half the price of the cheapest Ferrari but still the price of an E Type (in 1963). The engine should be good. This series of engines were Aurelio Lampredis first assignment on joining Fiat from Ferrari. Add to this a generous helping of Abarth workmanship in the preparation, assembly and tuning and soon 136 bhp seems moderate. At lower speeds the handling and power are unremarkable. But take the revs. over 3500 and on until the power peaks at 5600 and the sporting pedigree shows. As a collectors car this one has much to offer.A body by one of the best styling houses of the day. Mechanical parts in common with many lesser Fiat models, and bags of character style and performance. Anyone who knows anything about the car will bare witness to it's all round ability. What is it about the car that made Paul Frere declare this to be one of the best cars he has ever owned! Incredibly rare being one of three known to exist world wide in RHD guise. These cars were built be Fiat & sent across to Ghia for the rakish coupe body we find on this example. The cars were then sent across town to Abarth who fitted twin webbers, polished the ports & generally breathed upon the engine imbuing it with serious horsepower & a very sporty sound. This particular example was ordered new by a midlands based foundary owner though Anthony Crook latterly known for Bristol Car fame. The owner took it immediatly to the south of France where it resided in the garage of his holiday home for over two decades thus perfectly preserving it. The history is well documented through 5 owners. A youthful Martin Buckley did a full magazine article upon it in July of 1988 when it had covered just 27,000 miles. This has now increased to just 50,000 warranted miles from new. The car is finished in perfect metallic silver with the paint being beautifully preserved. To the interior, the seats front & rear are black along with red carpets. The original owners pack comes with the car along with assoted brochures, technical info & both original keys. It really is a time warp kind of a car. In the day it was known as a poor mans Ferrari as it was half the price & cost similar money to an E type Jaguar. Simply put: This is a true collectors item & is a car that cannot be repeated elsewhere.