Tag Archives: Cabriolet

Lancia

1950 Lancia Aurelia B50 Cabriolet

Lancia could be likened to Italy's answer to Citroën. They were a company that introduced a series of firsts in terms of automotive technology and always marched to the beat of a different drum. Only five years after the end of World War II, the Aurelia was released. This was a remarkably advanced vehicle that included the first production V6 engine, an innovative rear mounted transaxle with inboard brakes and radial tires. Today, these are extremely rare cars that are under appreciated for not only their pioneering technical merits but racing heritage. This example for sale outside of Philadelphia is an older restoration but is in good cosmetic and mechanical condition.

1950 Lancia Aurelia B50 Cabriolet

One of approximately 265 cars originally built and one of only a handful still known to exist in its original Pinninfarina alloy body work. No two cars were finished exactly the same and all were built to order. Finished in a dark blue over terracotta colored interior with gray carpets and beige top. The car is matching numbers according to the previous owner who purchased the car in 2005 from Auto Classic in Turin, Italy. Prior, the car was owned by the same family for over 20 years. During that ownership it was restored, then sold as part of the estate in 2004/2005. This car is an example of an older restoration (approximately 18-20 years old) and was completed to a very high standard. While the car currently lacks appropriate documentation as to its owner/restoration history (we are currently researching this further) it is evident through thorough inspection that the car is very correct and has been well cared for.

The car is currently up to date with new brakes, clutch, and transmission input shaft seal. Cosmetically this car has seen a complete restoration, and has aged nicely to that of a 2- driver. The body is 100% straight and corrosion free with those imperfections one would assume in a 20 year old paint job. There are a few blemishes here and there, but nothing of major concern. The chrome is all there with proper stampings and has recently been replated. All chrome inserts, emblems and original badges and bits are present. The body is straight with excellent hood, door, and trunk gaps. The wheel covers are in nice shape as well. The top appears to also be the same vintage as the restoration but is in no need of attention either, it's excellent. All windows appear to be original and crack/fade free. The rubber molding is showing its age in spots and could use replacing if deemed necessary but ultimately can still be enjoyed the way it is. The interior cosmetics are consistent with the exterior; they show moderate use but are in excellent condition with plush leather both front and rear with exceptional fit and finish throughout. Dash is complete including the original Condor radio; everything is in excellent condition with very nice patina. The interior includes many original pieces including an ashtray behind the front bench. Door jams are free of any paint chipping or related blemishes, door open/close is flawless. All interior bits work appropriately, all gauges work, windows go up and down etc... The trunk is clean and consistent with the rest of the car. Again, no rust or issues in the trunk.

Mechanically this car is completely up to date with new clutch, brakes, and seals where needed, as well as a complete tune up to run very well. It is believed that this examples Aurelia V6 (B10 series with 56 HP) did receive a complete rebuild at time of restoration, as evident by its superb running condition. The undercarriage shows no issues and is very straight and correct. Overall everything is in excellent order, appears to be up to date with nothing out of place, very nice floors and chassis rails with no issues. The car runs, drives, shifts and stops without any issues; all lights are in working order. Tires are still very usable and are free of any major rot. Overall this is a very rare opportunity to own a 1950 Lancia B50 Cabriolet in excellent driver quality condition. A comprehensive detail has been completed inside and out and underneath to ensure a turnkey opportunity for any collector. Included in the sale is an original color sales brochure and top cover.

While not a concours example, I always appreciate cars from this era that appear to have been used and enjoyed, rather than being locked away in a museum or collection. The asking price precludes most normal collectors from enjoying this classic, but it's nice to see such a complete example of a forward thinking vehicle on these shores.

-Paul

Lancia

1957 Lancia Aurelia B24 Cabriolet

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While their current offerings are a bit underwhelming and not much more than rebadged Fiats and Chryslers, as enthusiasts, we must never forget that Lancia was a revolutionary marque right from the start. Known for their engineering prowess, they brought innovations such as the five speed gearbox and independent suspension to market and were the first with a series production V6 engine. In 1950, Lancia replaced their Aprilla sedan with the Aurelia, brainchild of famed engineer Vittorio Jano. As a precursor to Lancia's string of rally championships, the Aurelia had successful outings in the Mille Miglia and took home a 1-2-3 finish at the Targa Florio in 1952. Lancia went one step further and in a desire to create an all out sports car, developed a Spyder version in conjunction with Pininfarina. These were gorgeous machines, with flowing lines and delicate quarter bumpers. Designed with the American market in mind, only 240 of these Spyders were ever produced, making them extremely rare and desirable. Later, a convertible version of the Aurelia was released after Spyder production ended in 1955. This new open top version shared no panels with the Spyder it replaced, and 521 were produced until 1959. This cabriolet for sale in The Netherlands has undergone a restoration and is simply stunning in gray over dark red leather.

1957 Lancia Aurelia B24 Cabriolet

Superbly restored and very elegant Lancia Aurelia B24S Cabriolet. Finished in beautiful dark grey metallic with dark red leather interior and black hood. This lovely example was comprehensively restored by Aurelia specialist Clerici in Italy. It has participated in the 2006 edition of the famous Mille Miglia. These rare convertible are excellent event cars or very enjoyable for a weekend out. A welcome addition to any collection! EEC registration. FIVA passport.

As of late, Aurelia Spyders are changing hands in the $400,000 to $500,000 range at auction, and this restored example is probably no exception. While the Corvette was just making a name for itself in America and some circles in Europe, it is interesting to look back at its contemporary from Italy to see how similar, yet different, the concept of a sports car across cultures can be.

-Paul

Fiat

1964 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet

Taking public transport to work everyday isn't a joy. Ask anyone. Attempting to zone out the misery, I was listening to one of my favorite albums on my iPod, "La Musica Italiana." It's a compilation of Italo-Disco and other pop classics that helps me ignore my miserable commute and transports me back to the Old World. Why is this pertinent to this post? On the cover of this album is a red Fiat 1500 Cabriolet, just like our feature car. The 1500 shared little with its sedan counterpart, other than the 1.5 liter, 72 horsepower four cylinder engine. While the 1500 is a tad overshadowed by its successor, the 124 Spider, for me the 1500 represents the classic Italian sports car.

1964 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet

History: Launched in 1960 the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet had similar styling to the Fiat-Oscar model, although minus the other cars bonnet bulge. With only a 1481cc engine the 1500 Cabriolet was also slower than the Oscar model although its performance was far from disappointing. Standard equipment for both the 1500 Cabriolet and Coupe included servo assisted front disc brakes and a generous level of interior trim. The body itself was styled by Pininfarina and was extremely elegant. These Cabriolets were also commonly known as Spiders. Production of the 1500 sports range lasted until 1967.

Details
Car Condition: High End Level
This beautiful 5 speed Fiat is red with tan interior and a black top. It features an aluminum engine, 155 SR 14 Z X tires with steel wheels, bucket seats, roll up windows and 91,850 miles showing. It is a 4 cyl, 9:1 compression engine and is rear wheel drive with a lever carburetor. It is a sporty, fun and economical car that would make a great addition to any Fiat collector’s garage.

While the seller doesn't list the price, my best guess is this car would realistically fetch around $20,000 to $25,000 on a good day, making it a more financially reasonable alternative to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. It looks to be a survivor with a bit of freshening up, but presents very well. And who couldn't love that white Veglia tachometer?

-Paul

Theme Week, Uncategorized

Theme Week – Non-Italian Cars…Styled by Italians: 1973 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet

Peugeot has a long history of relying on Italian designers for some of their most iconic and exclusive vehicles. Pininfarina is a styling house they have done business with for decades. A few examples of this collaboration was the popular 505 sedan and estate, the 406 Coupe and the 1988 European Car of the Year, the 405. One of the lesser known examples of Pininfarina's work with Peugeot is the 504 Coupe and Cabriolet. From the looks of it, this car could be a mix between a Fiat 124 Spider and Fiat Dino, both of which were styled by Pininfarina, as well. These sporting vehicles were based off of the simple, rugged 504 sedan, which was produced from 1968 and carried on with updates until 2004, when production ceased in Nigeria. This particular 504 Cabriolet for sale in The Netherlands has the 2.0 liter four cylinder engine with Kugelfischer mechanical injection.

1973 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet

Peugeot 504 Cabriolet in excellent condition. Very beautifully restored and well maintained. This Peugeot is rust free and still has the old four headlights and rear lamps. Original cloth seats in good original condition. Super convertible. Car has license plates and TUV. To register simply enter any EU country, you pay no import tax.

The 504 Cabriolet is a good way to get into a French cabriolet with bespoke styling on a budget. While the asking price of €17,950 (~ $22,000 USD) is not exactly chump change for an almost 40 year old French classic, it is a lot less than what you could expect to pay for a Citroën DS Cabriolet of the same vintage.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet

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Four seater Ferraris tend to play second fiddle to the more purpose built sports cars of the marque. Intended as a replacement for the Dino 308GT4, the Mondial began life as a coupe in 1982 while the cabriolet debuted one year later. This was a significant Ferrari in many ways, most notably it was one in which the engine and gearbox were attached to a removable subframe, allowing maintenance to be performed with ease.

This 1986 Mondial 3.2 represents the halfway point in the development of the series. Updates over the original Mondial included a 3.2 liter V8 with 280 horsepower and a revised interior. With a little over 23,000 miles, this appears to be a well cared for example at an attractive price, which begs the question: with such a short description, could it be a trap? Or a way to enjoy an Italian exotic at a fair price?

1986 Ferrari Mondial 2 Convertible

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Beautiful Red Ferrari with low miles. Always garaged and starts the first try. Recent service, new original tires ($2k), new top. Interior in great shape with to rips. A true head turner. Runs great.

Entrance to the Ferrari club at this price is rare; if embarked upon, it should be done eyes wide open. While the owner claims this car has been serviced recently and runs fine, nothing short of a complete history would reassure potential buyers. A $25,000 car could easily turn into a $40,000 car in a heartbeat. While the Mondial is relatively easy to maintain compared to other Ferraris, this is still a Ferrari. For those on a budget, one must be fastidious with their accounting and vehicle selection so vehicle maintenance won't be a vehicle to bankruptcy.

-Paul

Fiat

1963 Fiat 1200 Convertible

5 Comments

The Fiat 1200 series was a spiritual predecessor to the popular Fiat 124, which enjoyed great success and was built under license in several countries after Fiat ceased production. Available in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles, these cars were powered by a 1.2 liter, 55 horsepower inline four cylinder engine. This example for sale, while a little rough, is fairly complete. In white, it's a nice departure from the classic red which you usually see these convertibles painted.

1963 Fiat 1200 Convertible

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For sale is a 1963 Fiat 1200 Cabriolet. This car is a nearly complete running and driving project car that has had some partial restoration work done to it previously. Nearly everything functions on this car. It is believed this car spent its entire life in California. Based on the bright work and the presence of the emblem (which is in poor condition), it is highly likely that this car was a coach built Veturre Speciali.

This is a good candidate to be completely restored and is being offered at a price that will allow the buyer to do so and still maintain their investment in a vehicle that is becoming increasingly rare and quickly rising in value. Many of these cars languish in garages due to rust, lack of trim pieces, or completely destroyed mechanicals. This car does need work, but it is miles ahead of a majority of the projects available. It has been gone over and inspected and every attempt is made to list both the good and bad points about this car.

Exterior:

It has fair to good quality paint, uniform with no evidence of rust or perforation anywhere on the body exterior. The right front, the rear valence, and lower left rear of the rocker have undergone amateur dent repair. The sheet metal is not stretched or grossly misshapen. No evidence of rust in these areas. The top is of average quality, in fairly good condition and functions correctly except that it is torn behind the driver window on the side and has a small tear behind the passenger window. It will need to be replaced.

The bright work on the car is in relatively good condition and intact. The bumpers need to be replaced or re-chromed with some repair to the metal. These are readily available new. The following items do need to be re-chromed: outer door handles, rear trunk handle, rear deck strips, windshield frame and mirrors. The stainless on the grille surround should be professionally straightened. Hub caps are present and in good condition.

Mechanical:

The engine has low compression and blow-by. It idles fairly well and starts with the turn of a key. The valve train appears to be in good condition, but it smokes and lacks power. It either needs rings, pistons or both. The engine does not knock or overheat. The correct carburetor is freshly rebuilt and functions as it should. It has the correct air cleaner and accessories on the engine. The mechanical fuel pump failed and it has a new electric pump installed. It has an aftermarket electronic ignition. Exhaust is complete and intact. The plastic fan blade is missing one blade.

All of the gears in the Transmission function and engage. There is a rattle in the clutch area. There is no noise from the rear differential. The clutch operates as would be expected as well as the brakes. There is a slight squeak from the left front when applying the brakes at low speed. The car stops straight. The handbrake functions, but the actuator in the handle needs to be repaired. Tires are in good condition.

Interior:

The interior is in good condition. The seats are retrofitted from quite possibly an 1100 of the same era, but they function as expected and are of the correct color and upholstered in cloth centers with vinyl bolsters. The carpet is not original as well as the door seals. The door panels are recovered in black vinyl and lack armrests and the proper interior trim rings. Interior floor pans are solid, but do have some surface rust that should be cleaned and treated. There is no perforation and the sheet metal is good.

Electrical:

All of the electrical items function including the under hood lights and trunk light. The heater fan is slow as well as the wiper motor. The passenger door jamb switch needs to be replaced. The column switch should be rebuilt or replaced. Lenses are in very good condition and all of the lights work correctly. The fuel sender needs to be repaired or replaced, the gauge has been tested and functions. The charging system is functional.

Bringing such a vehicle back to concours condition would be a tedious undertaking, given the availability of certain parts and trim. This example would lend itself well to a nice freshening up to bring it back to a drivable condition, enabling you to show it at club and classic car events on occasion. If this Fiat could be bought for around $5,000 to $7,000, it would make a less expensive, and interesting, alternative to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider.

-Paul