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Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960

FIAT 1200 Spider 1957-1960 7 Photos
FIAT 1200 Spider (1957-1960)FIAT 1200 Spider (1957-1960)FIAT 1200 Spider (1957-1960)FIAT 1200 Spider (1957-1960)FIAT 1200 Spider (1957-1960)FIAT 1200 Spider (1957-1960)FIAT 1200 Spider (1957-1960)

The 1200 Spyder was unveiled at the 1957 Turin Motor Show along with its siblings, the coupe, and the sedan.

The 1200 Spyder was styled by Pininfarina Design Studio and that was the main reason why the convertible looked so good when compared with other convertibles from that era. The only part that Pininfarina couldn't change was the tall front fascia, which had to be like that to accommodate the radiator.

In the front, the round headlights were on-trend and the Spyder kept them. The tall grille for the radiator was split in two, like on the sedan. It was a tryout for a common grille for the entire Fiat range. That plan was abandoned a few years later, especially since some Fiat models had the engine in the back so the radiator grille in the front was useless. The A-pillars were slim and not very raked. In the back, the quarter panels were ended in slim and sharp fins. It was a new trend and Fiat found a way to install them. The oval taillights were mounted vertically into chromed cases that were sharpened at the top, to match the fender form.

Inside, the 1200 Spyder offered seating for two passengers. An interesting idea from the Italians was the swiveling driver's seat. There were no seats in the back. Just the soft top under a cover. Unlike its sedan-brother, the convertible version featured a different dashboard, with a larger instrument cluster and dials under a screen. The gears-stick was mounted on the floor instead of behind the steering wheel.

Under the hood, there was a newly developed 1.2-liter gasoline engine that produced 55 hp. The four-speed manual transmission was the only option. The car was rear-wheel drive, as most of the cars from that era.

FIAT 1200 Spider 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960
  1 gasoline engine
  • 1.2 4MT (55 HP)

FIAT 1200 Spider
1.2 4MT (55 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.2 4MT (55 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1221 cm3
Power:40.5 KW @ 5300 RPM
55 HP @ 5300 RPM
54 BHP @ 5300 RPM
Torque:60 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM
81 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:87 mph (140 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):21.4 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Drums
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:5.20 x 14
DIMENSIONS
Length:158.7 in (4031 mm)
Width:59.8 in (1519 mm)
Height:51.3 in (1303 mm)
Front/rear Track:48.5/47.9 in (1,232/1,217 mm)
Wheelbase:92.1 in (2339 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.1 in (130 mm)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.42
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2050 lbs (930 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:2535 lbs (1150 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km)
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