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In 1990, the management of Fiat assigned the Centro Stile (Styling Center) of Fiat with the task to realise a spider on the chassis of the 'Tipo B' (later to become known as the 'Punto'). Therefore it was coded 'Tipo B Spider 176'.

Sketch by Andreas Zapatinas, who is considered to be the designer of the barchetta. May '91

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Proposal for the Marinara March 22, '91 The Diavola, basically an open Initial sketches for the cabin version of the Coup April '91 Fiat April 15, '91 The cabin (seats, steering column, pedals etc.) was shifted 10 cm (4") rearward opposed to the original Tipo B (Punto). Right from the start, the idea was to let sheetmetal from the hood enter the cabin.

The names 'Marinara' and 'Diavola' refer to pizzas, to distinguish the various prototypes. Other names were the Atomica and Bismarck. The Diavola featured a strong resemblance with the Coup Fiat, which was already defined at that time. It had the same bubbly headlights, round rearlights and wheel-arch

cuts. Only a few months after the start of the project, life-size plaster models had been made (below).

First model of the Marinara May '91

Plaster model of the Diavola May '91

Various sketches for the front and rear-end.

Last model of the Second model of the Diavola (now with Marinara, here with round wheel-arches), oval rear lights. before it was finally rejected. Note the Mazda MX-5 (Miata)

July '91 - Design by July '91 - Proposal of Guiseppe the dashboard Bertolusso. by Peter Sheetmetal reaches Davis (rejected). over the dashboard.

and the Lotus Elan in the background!

July '91

July '91 Uhoh, reorganisation at the Centro Stile... Positions in 1992: Director Fiat Director Fiat Design: Chris Design: Nevio di Bangle Giusto Coordinator Fiat Coordinator Fiat Design: Nevio di Design: Mario Maioli Giusto Assistent Fiat Assistent Fiat Sketches by Zapatinas. The oval rearlights Stile/Design: Ermanno Design: Ermanno are now more squared. Cressoni Cressoni By this time, the exterior design is final and Chief Exterior Chief Design the car is renamed 'Spider 183'. Design: Chris Bangle Cars: Andreas December '91 Chief Interior Zapatinas Design: Peter Davis (later: Alessandro Cavazzo) Positions in 1991:

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The position of the various lights proved to be a problem. This version has devided rearlights: two colors in each lens. January '92: In Januari 1992, Fiat was looking a company to build the car. Of the Turin coachbuilders

First epowood model of the dashboard. Sheetmetal enters the cabin, but not as far as in the first proposals. January '92

Itca, Stola and Maggiora, the latter was choosen.

Almost final dashboard. In the final version, sheetmetal is only 2 to 3 inches wide. March '92 In this proposal, the hoodcover doubles as a spoiler! 1. Lift spoiler; 2. Put it on the trunk; 3. Close the roof March '92

Enginebay layout

Prototype of the clocks in day and night vision. The number of dials in the righthand clock has been reduced to two in the final version.

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The crew of Centre Stile Fiat who designed the car without any third party help. On the far right: Nevio Di Giusto (coordinator Stile/Design Gruppo Fiat), next to him: Peter Davis (director Centro Stile Fiat).