Fiat 500 Cabriolet Garavini

The Fiat 500 Cabriolet was a bespoke interpretation of Fiat’s compact city car, bodied by the Italian coachbuilder Garavini.

At the time, the Fiat 500 was conceived as an affordable, small-scale solution to Europe’s growing demand for practical personal transportation.

Garavini’s cabriolet version reflected the coachbuilder’s careful approach to proportion and craftsmanship, using lightweight construction techniques to preserve the car’s modest performance while adding a touch of elegance. Its styling aligned with late-1930s Italian design sensibilities, combining restrained ornamentation with functional clarity.

Underneath, the Cabriolet retained the Fiat 500’s simple yet sturdy chassis, engineered to balance durability with low weight. It was powered by a small inline-four engine that delivered sufficient output for city use, while the suspension setup prioritized ride comfort on urban roads.

The defining feature of the model was its folding convertible roof, which introduced open-air versatility to an otherwise utilitarian platform.

Production numbers were limited, a factor that has enhanced the car’s desirability among collectors. Today, surviving examples are preserved in private collections and archives, serving as tangible reminders of the collaborative relationship between Italian manufacturers and independent coachbuilders during a formative period in automotive history.