Update 12/12/23: This 1960 Fiat 1200 cabriolet “Vetture Speciali “still hasn’t moved since our last review in October, but the price did. Now for sale at $6500 in this craigslist ad, I’m sure the owner is hoping for action. Will this be enough to move it along before Christmas? If not, the seller might want to try a different venue – eBay or facebook Marketplace. Otherwise, he could be tripping over this carcass for another several months. T.J. found this one still lurking around – thanks!

This car entered its seller’s garage in 2019 and has rested undisturbed ever since. One of a vast library of Fiat 1100-based models, the 1200 was introduced as the Granluce saloon and the Turismo Veloce Spider in 1957. In 1959, the Spider was redesigned by Pininfarina and renamed the 1200 cabriolet. These cars were hand built by Fiat’s Vetture Speciali (Special Vehicles) division and bore its emblem. Our subject car is a 1960 1200 cabriolet advertised here on craigslist, with an asking price of $7500. Located in Glendale, California, the car and a few of its parts will need to be moved with a trailer. Speaking of parts, the seller guesses the car is 99% complete; let’s hope that last 1% is easy rather than impossible. We give a nod to numskal for sending us this tip – thanks!

The distinguishing mechanical feature of the 1200 series over its 1100 parent is a larger engine. The new 1221 cc four-cylinder breathes through a single carburetor and makes 55 hp. Snicking through the gears in the four-speed manual transmission is highly entertaining, thanks to increased torque versus earlier models. Four-wheel drum brakes and independent front suspension round out the technology. The seller says this engine turns by hand, though it hasn’t run in years. Fiat’s 1200 cc motor does not grow on trees, so parts can be a challenge.

Good glass, a complete gauge set, and the original steering wheel deck the interior; by now the elegant Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel used in the 1100 was deemed too expensive, replaced by this plastic version. Fixing its cracks is pretty easy – what’s not is replicating the pattern of the rim. The position of the gearshift and the delicate grab handle are oh-so-Italian. Fiat’s interiors were simple as a stone, but the buyer will still have his work cut out to resurrect this shamble.

The sheet metal appears quite decent, though the seller notes a rust hole here and there. The elongated tail lamps, that trim line down the flank, the restrained bucket seats – the 1200 cabriolet is impressively stylish. It’s not quite as stunning as the Transformabile, and it has a fraction of the power available from the OSCA, but it’s charming nonetheless. Prices for fine examples hover in the $20k area, but this car managed only $17,777 and it has a desirable hard top. It’s a shame this car sat for so long; nothing’s worse for a vintage car. The long slumber and the demands of this project tell me this car’s asking price is too high – what do you think?