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Davide puts the spot on Fiat 500 Custom Models - Part 12: Giannini 590 GT
- Year of manufacture: 1963
- Displacement: 586 cc
- Body type: Sedan
- Derived from: Fiat 500
- Manufacturer: Fiat Giannini Tuning
- Number of cars built: unknown
In 1964 Giannini entered into direct competition with Abarth, a company already established on the market. With the intention of countering the dominance of the little Abarth 595, Roman manufacturer Giannini presented the Giannini 590 GT to the public. This model was equipped with a new camshaft and featured pistons with a domed top that increased the compression ratio to 8.5:1. Supported by the Solex C 28 carburettor, this led to an increase in power, but above all in torque.
The sales success that began in central Italy and soon spread all over the entire country made it almost inevitable to set up a sort of branch in the north to limit transport costs. This happened in 1964, when Giannini, thanks to an agreement with Turin car tuner Edoardo Zen, opened a second factory specialising in mechanical and aesthetic conversions.
Giannini’s real turning point, however, came in 1965 when, after long and difficult negotiations, the company succeeded in wresting the same purchase terms from Fiat that had previously been granted to Abarth alone.
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