Highlights
- Magnificent restored 1500S coupe rarity
- High quality rare right-hand drive conversion
- Only 6,089 miles since restoration
- UK registered since 1966 with only five keepers
- Huge history file dating back 50 years
- One of the best we’ve seen
The Appeal
When Fiat collaborates with its fellow countrymen, it doesn’t mess about. Think Fiat Dino. And this car: the utterly gorgeous OSCA 1500S coupe. Exquisitely styled by Pininfarina and with a race-derived engine by the Maserati brothers, just 1,000 were built which makes this Fiat a 60s gem.
The OSCA was the perfect solution to a problem with Fiat’s 1200 sports car. It looked great but it was too slow. So Fiat turned to the Maserati brothers’ OSCA racing concern. Dropping in the firm’s 1,491cc twin cam, previously used in the MT4 race car, solved the problem.
Any 1500S is desirable, but this one stands out. Carefully restored at the turn of the century to a very high standard, it has covered just 6,000 miles in the intervening 25 years. The quality of the work shines through, as does the care of its keepers. The work covered every area of the car and included conversion to RHD. You will struggle to tell that change wasn’t executed by the factory.
Beautifully finished in silver with black leather interior and sitting on chrome wires, this is one exceptionally pretty car. The car was built in 1959 and first registered in the UK in 1966. There is a vast history file that runs back to the mid-'70s.
The car is reported to run and drive exceptionally well, helped by uprated period-correct disc brakes and improved gearbox and steering. The carburettors were recently carefully set up by rolling road guru Jon Wood.
This pretty OSCA 1500S is one of the best we’ve seen in a while. Whether you stand and admire it or get out and drive it, it will be hugely rewarding.
The vendor says:
“This pretty OSCA has been subject to a full restoration, with no expense spared. Converted to RHD at the same time for the owner’s wife, as she wouldn’t drive LHD cars, it was done with such a dedication to detail, that you’d be hard pushed to know it wasn’t originally built this way at the factory, the fit and finish is stunning 20 years on. Its current custodian took it on with only 2,000 miles on the clock since the restoration and has owned the car for some 6 years and has gone through any niggles and teething issues to ensure that the car drives just as well as it looks.
“With rafts of history and a file detailing the full restoration works, in photos, you can clearly see all of the love that has been poured over the car to make it the fine example present ed here today. First imported in 1966 to the U.K. the history file for the car starts in 1977, all the way to today’s date. The car went through our standard preparation, to ensure it is on the button and driving as you’d expect, the only item that wanted any attention were the carbs, which were set up by our local rolling road legend Jon Wood. It idles, pulls and runs so smoothly, a truly fabulous car all round.
"We doubt you’ll ever see another, not only in this condition, but especially in RHD. Thus, it is a fantastic opportunity to own and enjoy driving a cracking example of Italian automotive history.”
The History and Paperwork
- First built in 1959 according to seller
- One of the first coupes built
- First registered in the UK on 29/04/1966
- Five keepers from new
- Current keeper since June 2018
- Previously yellow which was changed in May 1990
- Restored in 2000 by specialist classic car business
- Acquired by current keeper with 2,000 miles since restoration
- Now showing 6,089 miles since restoration
- Extensive history file dating back to 1977
- Comprehensive restoration documentation available including photographs
- Less than 1,000 1500S coupes and convertibles were built
- Originally LHD and converted to RHD during restoration
- Any minor work attended to by current keeper according to seller
- Thoroughly checked over prior to sale by specialist classic car seller
- Only used sparingly in dry weather by current keeper
The Condition
- Pretty Pininfarina bodywork with silver Grigio Titanio metallic paintwork
- Restored 25 years ago to very high standard and remains highly presented
- Paintwork shows no obvious deterioration or marks in photos
- Bodywork presents well with no notable defects
- Sits on pretty chrome wire wheels with vintage tyres
- Exterior chromework and lights in very good order as shown
- Smart interior in black leather with grey carpets to suite with exterior paintwork
- Interior looks in very good order with all dials, levers, and buttons functioning cleanly
- Converted to right-hand drive with impressive fit and finish
- Structure presents well across panelwork and underside as shown
The original Fiat 1200 convertible is one of Pininfarina’s prettiest designs. When the firm evolved the coupe variant, things got even better. The Grigio Titanio paintwork of this car shows the handsome, understated lines off to very good effect, accented by neat chromework and a well balanced glass house.
This car was restored to a very high standard 25 years ago. Despite the passage of time since, the very sparing use and the quality of that work means that the car presents today much as it surely did when it was completed. The panel fit and paint finish is impressive and would not look out of place in a classic car collection.
Inside the high standards continue. The car was converted to RHD during the work and it is testament to the restorer that you cannot tell it was not executed by the factory. It is a well balanced and pretty interior that is in great condition with few indications of age.
The Mechanics
- Maserati-designed OSCA race-derived 1,491cc twin cam engine
- Carburettors recently tuned by specialist Jon Wood
- Uprated 5spd manual gearbox from later post-65 model
- Engine produces 80 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 104 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm
- 0-60 mph in 10.6 seconds with a top speed of 104 mph
- Upgraded steering and period-correct 1960 4-pot disc brakes all around
- Vendor reports that the engine idles smoothly and pulls and runs correctly
- No reported running or driving issues
Beyond the pretty looks, key to the 1500S’ appeal is its race-derived 1,491cc twin cam engine. Designed and developed by OSCA, run by the Maserati brothers, it was originally intended for race car use but proved equally adept on the road. Its 80bhp delivered the performance lacking from Fiat’s home-grown 1200 engine.
This car’s mechanicals and running gear were comprehensively overhauled during the restoration 6,000 miles ago. The car is largely factory-standard but with some useful upgrades to improve drivability. These include a later 5spd gearbox - fitted to 1500S cars from 1965 - and 1960-period all-round disc brakes. The steering was also improved during the conversion to RHD.
The car is said to run and drive very well, helped by a recent carburettor tune by rolling road specialist Jon Wood. it has been subject to a thorough check over prior to sale by the specialist seller.
The vendor says:
“Not only does it present beautifully, it drives it too. You can quite imagine that with the upgraded 5 speed gearbox, period correct (1960) 4 pot discs all round and the upgraded steering (when converted to RHD), it drives like a modern car, inputs are light, easy and smooth, it really is a complete joy on the road, making a lovely Italian twin cam thrum as you move along. Is it fast, not really. But then it only has 990kg to move, so it handles beautifully and feels every bit the thoroughbred it was set out to be. Every dial, lever and button works in such a clean and crisp manner – a build quality long-lost and forgotten today. It is a true delight to be around.”
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