The Fiat 2300 was first shown to the public at the Turin Motor Show in 1960. Although quite popular with spectators and motoring journalists alike, it was not until 1961 that a production version was unveiled. Those long gaps between introduction and production are, incidentally, quite characteristic of Italian brands. In 1962, the Fiat 2300 Coupé was offered to the waiting public. However, Fiat had rather underestimated the complexity of the construction. Therefore, the manufacture of the 2300 was outsourced to the Italian company OSI (Officini Stampaggi Industriali).
The description of the Fiat 2300 Coupé
A remarkable aspect of the Fiat 2300 was that it was offered with a fully automatic transmission as early as 1966. This made the large Fiat an attractive model for touring and suburban driving which, of course, weren't called 'Urbans' at the time. Quite a few people thought that the Fiat 2300 Coupé was simply an upgrade from the previous design first unveiled in the 2100 1959 series. But the body lines were very popular with the buying public who couldn't afford a Lancia or Maserati, for example . All in all, the 2300 line was seen as real driver's cars and the Fiats 2300 were available in two-door, four-door and five-door models.
Technical specifications of the Fiat 2300 Coupé
The Fiat 2300 was equipped with a six-cylinder 2,3 liter engine. While some models were offered with a three-speed automatic transmission, the standard option was to choose a four-speed manual transmission. An overdrive was optional on both models. A notable upgrade produced during this time was the 2300S. This model was considered quite high-end when it came to handling and speed, and the six-seater in the front delivered just 150 hp. This increase in power was mainly due to the installation of twin carburettors. In addition, the Fiat 2300 Coupé was equipped with many modern amenities that were only recently available to the public, such as leather seats and electrically operated side windows.
General reception of the Fiat 2300 Coupé
During its launch, the Fiat 2300 received positive reviews from the press and the public. This profit was largely due to the fact that such a Fiat ran about 160 km / h, making it a fast, elegant, pleasantly driving travel car. In addition, the large Fiat gave its driver a pleasant status. Some compared this model to the Humber Super Snipe; another popular vehicle of roughly the same class in the 60s. The only negative observation was that the suspension was considered to be slightly less smooth than some competitors. The Fiat 2300 Coupé was produced until 1969 until it was replaced by the Fiat 130.
The survivors
The scarce specimens that we still find here are usually the best. Sometimes even cars with an almost perfectly known history despite their age. The Fiat in the photos is a very nice example of this: There are also classic Italians without rust. And this copy is ready to integrate here at Kout Automobiles in the distant Wieringerwaard. But hey: just think "What you get from afar is tasty". And Wieringerwaard is not as far away from the central Netherlands as Locorotondo, Otranto and Alberobello.
Also read:
- Fiat 130 and the specialist
- The Fiat Croma (1986-1996)
- Fiat Panda. The last of the Mohicans
- Fiat 850 Familiare ready for 50 years of care by second owner
- The Fiat 850 Coupe. goth?
This Fiat 2300 Coupe is certainly a very nice specimen, I have seen it in real life a number of times.
Nice to see the photos taken by my son in this article. He can be found regularly at André Kout!
HRH Prince Claus's car is in the stables of Paleis Het Loo.
next to the Mercedes Benz 300 convertible from HRH Wilhelmina.
This 2300S was also taken care of by Abarth cs. The intake and exhaust were optimized, the capacity of the six-cylinder was modestly increased to 2323cc. From my “Abarth almanac” I also conclude that such a derivazione set a number of records in April '63.
I suspect that if you bought such a nice coupé you could have it tuned at Abarth.
This 2300S was also taken care of by Abarth cs. The intake and exhaust were optimized, the capacity of the six-cylinder was modestly increased to 2323cc. From my “Abarth almanac” I also conclude that such a derivazione set a number of records in April '63.
I suspect that if you bought such a nice coupé you could have it tuned at Abarth.
bello, bello, bellissimo! The connection I have is that my dad is a blue Fiat 1800
of which I stole the keys a few times. Poor Fiat! I had to brag, of course
and with the neighbors as passengers we went to tear. Another wonder I didn't smash him. But the 100 hp engine was by Engn. Lampredi designed and Fiat head-hunted from Ferrari.
Nice car, nice article….
The late Prince Claus didn't have a 2300S coup either
e?
Beatrix and Claus have received a Fiat 2300s as a wedding gift. The AA100.