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Davide puts the spot on Fiat 500 Custom Models - Part 15: 500 Giannini NP / NP Lusso
- Year of manufacture: 1971
- Displacement: 652 cc
- Body type: Sedan
- Derived from: Fiat 500
- Manufacturer: Fiat Giannini Tuning
- Number of cars built: unknown
In 1969, the car manufacturer Giannini underwent a significant change in its corporate structure. When the previous business consultant Volfango Polverelli became a shareholder, an increase in capital ensued, with the result that the Giannini heirs left the company about one year later.
At the Turin Motor Show in November 1969, the repositioned company, which aspired its return to former glory, unveiled a fascinating prototype called the 650 NP Sirio. The little spider, also known as roadster, was designed by engineer Adolfo Melchionda and featured an impressive fibreglass monocoque and the proven mechanics of the Giannini 650 NP.
At the Turin Motor Show in November 1969, the repositioned company, which aspired its return to former glory, unveiled a fascinating prototype called the 650 NP Sirio. The little spider, also known as roadster, was designed by engineer Adolfo Melchionda and featured an impressive fibreglass monocoque and the proven mechanics of the Giannini 650 NP.
In 1970, the latest-generation engine finally made its way into the 500 saloons, giving birth to the new 650 NP and NP Lusso models. With its displacement of 652 cc and a bore of 77 mm, the small two-cylinder engine produced an impressive 35 hp at 6000 rpm. The new owners were eager to make a clear distinction from the old management right from the outset: NP stands for “Nuova Produzione” (new production).
An impressive specimen, which was exhibited in the Garlenda Multimedia Museum between 2021 and 2022, is owned by Maurizio Giraldi, President of the Fiat 500 Club Italia. This Giannini 650 NP, which boasts a proud past, was a regular sight on the racetracks between 1972 and 1974. It was tuned by the father of the current president, Giggetto Giraldi. The President’s Giannini 650 NP, which has deliberately been preserved in its racing version, is a unique car, featuring beautiful features from that era, such as 10-inch Romeo Ferraris magnesium rims, an Ansa silencer and an Alquati oil pan, all of which are original.
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