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One of less well known "niche" Fiat models of the 1960s was the 2300/2300S Coupé. The shape of the car was first seen in public when Ghia presented it as a prototype sports coupé at the 1960 Turin Motor Show.[2] A production version, based on the newly launched Fiat 2300 sedan was first seen in 1961 and went on general sale in 1962.[2] Having developed the coupé body, Ghia lacked the production capacity needed for the volumes envisaged, and were obliged to subcontract its production to OSI.[3]
The coupé body was welded to the standard floor platform of the 2300 saloon with which it shared its core components. (Despite being a new model, the 2300 saloon was in most respects a well-proven design, being a larger engined version of the Fiat 2100 that had been available since 1959.) The wheelbase was identical, but the coupé had a slightly wider track at both ends than the saloon, and final drive gearing for the coupé was increased to 3.9 (3.72 for the 2300S coupé) which translated to 20.9 mph (33.6 km/h) per 1,000 rpm.[2]
Elegantly styled by Ghia the 2300 had true "Grand Touring" style and panache which often earned it the "poor man's Ferrari" tag. Inside the 2300 Coupe featured power operated windows and other luxury fittings.
The coupé body was welded to the standard floor platform of the 2300 saloon with which it shared its core components. (Despite being a new model, the 2300 saloon was in most respects a well-proven design, being a larger engined version of the Fiat 2100 that had been available since 1959.) The wheelbase was identical, but the coupé had a slightly wider track at both ends than the saloon, and final drive gearing for the coupé was increased to 3.9 (3.72 for the 2300S coupé) which translated to 20.9 mph (33.6 km/h) per 1,000 rpm.[2]
Elegantly styled by Ghia the 2300 had true "Grand Touring" style and panache which often earned it the "poor man's Ferrari" tag. Inside the 2300 Coupe featured power operated windows and other luxury fittings.
![1964-Fiat-2300S-Coupe-heads-to-Bonhams'-Arizona-auction.jpg&maxW=630](/forum/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fautoweek.com%2Fstoryimage%2FCW%2F20131231%2FCARNEWS01%2F131229922%2FAR%2F0%2F1964-Fiat-2300S-Coupe-heads-to-Bonhams%27-Arizona-auction.jpg%26maxW%3D630&hash=6301ca619d5b9051bac0d68974b93a9d)
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