While many of the small tuning companies which rose in Italy in the 1920s, such as Siata and Stanguellini, later built complete Fiat-based vehicles, Moretti began slightly differently. Founded in 1925, it built motorcycles until WWII and built microcars powered by their own two-cylinder engines in the immediate post-war period. After launching a four-cylinder line, Moretti turned to Fiat-based cars in the late 50s and continued to build vehicles of this type until the firm closed in the late 80s.
It was not only the smaller Fiats on which Moretti based its models. Fiat's entry to the grand touring car arena in the 60s was the 2300S, a Ghia-bodied coupe powered by an inline 6-cylinder dual carbureted engine. Moretti built its version, which debuted in 1962, carrying what may have been a Bertone-designed body. This sleek GT has a sharpness of line and detail typical of the best of early 60s Italian design, combined with an enhanced Fiat powertrain. Moretti developed the engine to a 2454cc capacity, and the resulting 2500SS 2+2 coupe delivered 170hp.
The fully instrumented dashboard was shared with the Fiat 2300S. The richly finished interior, with deep bucket seats, front passenger footrest, grab bar, electric windows, and Borrani wire wheels, clearly expressed the concept of luxury with speed. It is believed that as few as 20 of these cars may have been built, and the number of survivors has yet to be determined.
Fiat-Moretti 2300S/2500SS Coupé (Bertone), 1962-66
Fiat-Moretti 2300S/2500SS Spyder (Bertone), 1962-66
Source: www.bonhams.com
Images: www.moretti-cars.net
