The first 400 Superamerica, chassis 1517SA, appeared at the 1959 Salon de Torino as a Coupé Speciale for Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli. In somewhat of a daring move, the order was to design a car that didn’t appear like a Ferrari. The resultant Coupé Speciale.
With some vague instruction, Pinin Farina prepared the car with cues from the 410 Series II and the one-of 375 Coupé Speciale built for Agnelli in 1955. From the earlier show car came a squared-off front radiator and wrap around windscreen, while the rest of the car was bascially 410 Series II with twin front headlights.
Initially the car was presented to Gianni Agnelli, who send the car back for drastic alterations. The split-bumpers were changed to a full-width design and the side flanks of the car were outfitted with stainless-steel panels. Once the modifications were complete, the car appeared at the 1959 Salone de Torino.
Source: www.supercars.net
Images: Pininfarina; www.shorey.net
