1961 FIAT 1500 Spyder OSCA

Apparently, this car was owned by a famous Italian fashion designer back in the day, and then spent 29 years in storage, before being restored in 2021.

We’re told the recent work carried out included a full repaint and engine rebuild, as well as refurbishment of the interior. Bright work went for re-chroming and the fuel system (including carburettor) was rebuilt. We understand the total spend in the last few years has been in the region of £22,000.

We think only 25 Silver examples were made.

The vendor has supplied some lovely badges and two retro registration plates (shown in the gallery) which, when fitted, will be the ‘icing on the cake’ and make this little car really quite stunning.

There’s an instant familiarity to this lesser known Fiat Spider’s exterior styling and it’s exceedingly pretty, no matter the angle. It’s had a very recent repaint and as such the exterior presents very nicely; there’s a very decent lustre, and that’s matched by the generally very good fit and finish.

We’re told all the body moulding and trim were removed and polished before refitting. It looks good to us, although one or two bits (including the door handles – shiny, but a tad pitted) could do with re-chroming. The big items such as the bumpers are very smart.

The devil is in the detail though and this Spider has some glorious ones – just look at those exquisite crowns that sit just atop each door handle.

The tyres have tread, but are probably old and it would be wise (& safe) to fit four new matching boots in our opinion.

Overall, it’s a glorious looking thing.

It retains its lovely original Nardi steering wheel, and anyone who knows these steering wheels is aware that they’re lovely little works of art and the perfect accompaniment for any Italian roadster.

It looks like everything has been done inside; new door cards, carpets; the dash top repainted, and the dash fascia fitted with new wood-effect vinyl.

We’re told the gauges were removed and re-painted, as were the needles.

With hood up it reveals a very good condition headlining, whilst outside it remains in very good condition, and the blue colour contrasts nicely with the Silver paintwork. Of course, the car looks best with it down.

Doing so reveals a very smart cabin and one that’s been sympathetically restored. The next owner may wish to replace the rubber sill trims and the driver’s mat to sharpen things up; the latter has a few scrapes that have lifted the pile in places, although both are by no means necessary.

Apparently at the same time as the OSCA engine’s rebuild (including repair of the cylinder block and machining of the cylinder liners), a new clutch and water pump were also fitted. The Weber carburettor was rebuilt and all new gearbox and engine mounting kits used. A fresh water pump was fitted in 2016. Aesir Automotive carried out further engine fettling in 2021 in order to ensure that it functioned as it should.

And my does it. It’s a lovely rev-happy unit. We’re advised that the centre prop shaft mount should be attended to (i.e. replaced), as there’s too much play in the bearing. The four-speed gearbox shifts easily and the brakes work as they should.

The suspension bushes look like they should be replaced in our opinion. And the nuts holding the distributor in are missing, so for peace of mind we would suggest the new owner gets a full health check and service performed including all fluids and filters etc.

Pop the bonnet and the engine detailing work is clear, as the twin cam engines red cam covers visually pop. The underside presents very strongly. The exhaust tailpipe still retains its original sticker. It’s also nicely protected with fresh looking underseal.

In this car’s history file you’ll find evidence of the aforementioned recent works in invoice form. These include one from Torino-based Cavalitto (08/12/2016) for €530 for a new water pump and a number (25-03-19 for a total of €362.47, 03-04-19 for €97.40 and 10-04-2019 for €1097.50) from The Netherlands-based specialist Fiat-Osca-Parts for a variety of parts.

The biggest invoice for £13,833.50 from Aesir Automotive is dated 15-07-2021 and provides a detailed step-by-step breakdown of the works carried out including that full repaint and interior restoration.

A Crewe Engines Ltd invoice for £6229.87 (dated 02-04-2017) also lists the various steps completed during the rebuild of that exquisite OSCA twin cam engine and its various ancillaries.

We note that the electrics will need some attention, as the left-hand indicator is not working, and the right-hand indicator comes on with the side lights! The left headlight also looks like it needs a bulb.

As well as those you’ll find an RAC Vehicle History Check, which shows that its first UK registration was 1st April 2016 and there are no vehicle alerts showing for the car. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect, nothing is.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and maintained to a good standard.

What a sweet little chariot. And it’s coming for to carry someone home – or at least, it’s ready for someone to come and take it home. When you think little Italian roadster you’re mind goes to the usual suspects: Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider or even Fiat 124 Spider. However, if you can take a peek beyond those beasts then there are real delights and rarities to be had, and this is one such car.

This is being offered No Reserve! We think it’ll sell for somewhere between £15,000 and £25,000. If you consider the recent outlay of circa £22k then it’s a good deal; in fact even at the top end that still applies.

With its joyous OSCA-designed twin cam engine, it’s a real little performer. Throw in elegant Pininfarina lines (resplendent here in a very fetching Silver) and for us it’s a winning combo.

We’re sure the next owner will agree.

Viewing is always encouraged and as stated this car is located at our HQ near Abingdon; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.