FEBRUARY 1991

1991 Andreas Zapatinas, the designer of the Fiat Barchetta.1991 Andreas Zapatinas, the designer of the Fiat Barchetta.In February 1991, just before transporting the Alfa Romeo Proteo to the Geneva Motor Show, the Fiat Style Center through its technical director Cavalier Giuseppe Civardi asked STOLA spa to create a very accurate red style model with opening doors for the Fiat Barchetta project.
In the Fiat Style Center, three style proposals had just been presented through volume models, and the chosen one is designed by Andreas Zappatinas.

March 1991 Carlo and Alfredo Stola with the Barchetta model at the very first stages of setting up.March 1991 Carlo and Alfredo Stola with the Barchetta model at the very first stages of setting up.April 1991,the Barchetta opening doors begin to take shape. From the left Zanellati, Zanini and Chiara.April 1991,the Barchetta opening doors begin to take shape. From the left Zanellati, Zanini and Chiara.

February 1991 Marco Goffi and engineer Sasso prepare the commercial offer for the Barchetta model.February 1991 Marco Goffi and engineer Sasso prepare the commercial offer for the Barchetta model.For the interiors, the proposals of Peter Davis and Giuseppe Bertolusso was  chosen.
The work started immediately with great energy and enthusiasm in order to deliver for the visits of the CEO Fiat Cantarella and  other directors to check progress.
There was much curiosity, even  within the Fiat Style Center, to see is a new  spider after so  many years absence.

 

April 1991 Alfredo Stola and Zanini posing..April 1991 Alfredo Stola and Zanini posing..

April 1991 From left Zanini, Goffi, Bustreo, Robaldo and Ferrero.April 1991 From left Zanini, Goffi, Bustreo, Robaldo and Ferrero.

April 1991. Engineer Alberto Sasso and on the opposite side the modeler Robaldo.April 1991. Engineer Alberto Sasso and on the opposite side the modeler Robaldo.

There  were two objectives for Fiat for this highly accurate model: firstly, to refine the design of the first selected volume model and secondly, to update the surface model engineering macro feasibility.
Ultimately the aim was to  use model with opening door as a "Clinic Model" throughout Europe to find the level of interest of a very select audience The European clinic tour started in June of the same year and ended in September.

May 1991May 1991

Beginning June 1991, Gottardo Bustreo and Laura Giunipero.Beginning June 1991, Gottardo Bustreo and Laura Giunipero.

Turin late May 1991. On the right Marco Goffi and the designer Andreas Zapatinas. On the left Vincenzo Mammone, Andrea Granata and XTurin late May 1991. On the right Marco Goffi and the designer Andreas Zapatinas. On the left Vincenzo Mammone, Andrea Granata and X

Mid June 1991, Alberto Sasso, at the wheel, Roberto Stola and Zanini.Mid June 1991, Alberto Sasso, at the wheel, Roberto Stola and Zanini.June 1991 From the left Roberto Stola, Sasso, Alfredo, Ferrero, Zanini, PalmieriJune 1991 From the left Roberto Stola, Sasso, Alfredo, Ferrero, Zanini, Palmieri

End of June 1991 before delivery for the european tour for Clinic Testing. From left Bustreo, Bonito, Ardagna, Robaldo, Della Rocca, Sassu, Zanellati, Maurizio, Palmieri, Giachino, K, Zanini and Ferrero.End of June 1991 before delivery for the european tour for Clinic Testing. From left Bustreo, Bonito, Ardagna, Robaldo, Della Rocca, Sassu, Zanellati, Maurizio, Palmieri, Giachino, K, Zanini and Ferrero.

In April 1992, during  the Turin Motor Show, STOLA spa became involved in the Barchetta project for Fiat. 
It was  for a turnkey production task also involving  partners Itca and Maggiora.
It was the initiative of engineer Paolo Cantarella to give the project to the three companies and allow them to decelop the car.
The engineer Nevio di Giusto, who had recently been appointed as coordinating director of the Fiat Group’s styling centres, gave his support to quickly integrate the style work already completed into the development  process.

011992 Engineer Paolo Cantarella, CEO of Fiat Auto.

021992 engineer Nevio di Giusto, coordinator of the three style centers of the Fiat group.

03April 1992 the technicians of the STOLA prototype department in coordinating the design work and the first list of sheet metal parts to be made.04April 1992 the technicians of the STOLA prototype department in coordinating the design work and the first list of sheet metal parts to be made.

05April 1992 the first technical drawings of the Fiat Barchetta with the aim of creating two prototypes in sheet metal.06April 1992 the first technical drawings of the Fiat Barchetta with the aim of creating two prototypes in sheet metal.

The Fiat board, wanting to relaunch a spider into their range that had been absent since  the time of the pininfarina built 124 had to find a competitive production solution.
For Fiat, these months in 1992 were very intense, especially for the beginning of the design of the new Punto.
It must be borne in mind that the usual partners Pininfarina and Bertone in 1993 and 1994 were involved in the production of the Fiat Coupé and Punto Cabrio.

07September 1992 beaten model of a panel.08October 1992 The instrument panel lid.

09October 1992 Frontal.10October1992 Trunk structure.

11November 1992 This photo shows Bonetto and Comollo.12November 1992 Felice Chiara and Beppe Comollo.

13December 1992 Ferrero Varsino and Beppe Comollo check the body.14December 1992 the body of the first prototype ready for painting.

15January 1993, Modelleria STOLA. Roberto and Alfredo Stola together with Andrea Granata, one of the painters, next to the first Barchetta sheet metal prototype in the paint oven of via Villa Giusti.

16February 1993 Mechanical assembly of the first prototype.


17February 1993 a group photo on the assembly prototype. From left Franchino, Giorgione, Alfredo Stola, Felice Chiara and Marco Goffi.

18February 1993 The first prototype prototype practically finished. To be precise, original rims and headlights. Instead of the headlights, resin models have been fitted. From left Renato Bianco, Rocco, Ferrero Varsino, Beppe Comollo, Felice Chiara, Danilo Franchino, Bonetto, Mammone, Granata and Giorgione

19May 1993, via La Thuile 71 Alfredo Stola with the little Francesco posing next to the second and final prototype Yellow barchetta made from the sheet metal models. Mirabella, Felice Chiara, beppe Comollo, Alberto Porzio and Aniello Tornatore can be recognized from the back left.

20Turin May 1993. Marco Goffi and Bruno Arienti in the office in Via La Thuile 71 they work on the calculation of the prototype modifications.

Each of the three companies had to call upon their best skills, Stola for modeling, engineering and the first two prototypes derived from wooden models, Itca for test prototypes and the production of the chassis and the Maggiora for the actual production line and purchase of all components.
This consortium, under the direction of Fiat, gave  excellent results in terms of quality, timing and savings. The imposed objective to start production 24 months after styling freeze with an available budget 100.000.000.000 Lire.
In view of synergies coordinated by Fiat, the painting of the Barchetta was planned for the Bertone plant in Grugliasco. The deliveries of the Fiat Barchetta would begin in March of 1995 at the same time as its official presentation at the seventy-fifth Geneva Motor Show.

21February 1995 the official photo of the Fiat Barchetta before being presented at the Geneva Motor Show.