MG METRO TURBO
Catch me if you can
BERTONE RITMO SUPERCABRIO 100S
Festivalbar
YEAR: 1988
Salt, sand-dusted mats and radio on full blast. Finally a small Italian open car that catapults us to the seaside even if we live far from the coast. Off with the hood, then. We are in the ’80s—carefree, transgressive, lived through a decidedly fun lens: a flaming convertible and a night spent with friends. Destination: a bonfire on the beach, or a disco.
Nippy, practical, comfortable for four people. To be used fearlessly, even every day.
Historical background
The most powerful
The Ritmo Cabrio, based on the first-series saloon, was first introduced at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in 1981, following the numerous requests of German car dealerships and branches clamouring for a convertible version of the small family car. The parent company, however, was uninterested in the project and did not include it in the Fiat range, instead leaving their dealers to discuss its marketing directly with Bertone. As it is, the very FCA Heritage (Stellantis) historical archive never kept an inventory for this special series, and any questions on still-existing vehicles are redirected to Bertone.
The first version had a 1.5 L, 85 hp engine, and had immediate commercial success, even more after 1983 with the significantly modified second generation Ritmo and its new versions Super 85, S, and 70s. Amongst the innovations, the newly redesigned platform—previously borrowed from the 128 model—that was later reinforced by Bertone in the convertible for a better torsional rigidity, to the benefit of its drivability.
In 1985, in concordance with the restyling (see: third-series Fiat Ritmo), Bertone presented the Supercabrio, equipped with a 1.6 L, twin cam engine derived from the 100S. The power increased to 105 hp at 6100 rpm for an impressive speed of 175 km/h.
The Supercabrio stood out from its siblings for its more aggressive aesthetic that included a sports bumper with integrated fog lights, and black plastic rocker panels and wheel arch trims. It was sold in the solid colour version, or two-toned with unusual combinations, though always in line with the taste of the time. The price was 19 million liras, a market placement aimed at more sophisticated customers than its predecessor.
The Ritmo Cabrio was a great car that still today does not have a suitable replacement. This only increases its prestige amongst other historical cars, and the most powerful version—the 100S—is already quite cherished by collectors.
Technical specifications
- BODY STYLE: 3-door cabriolet
- SEATS: 4
- LENGTH: 399 cm
- WIDTH: 165 cm
- HEIGHT: 137 cm
- WEIGHT: 970 kg
- ENGINE: Fiat
- DISPLACEMENT: 1,585 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: 105 hp
- FUEL TYPE: Petrol
- DRIVETRAIN: FWD
- TRANSMISSION: Manual
- SPEED: 175 km/h
Driving experience – Sporty enough
Sporty enough: with its 1,585 cc, twin cam Fiat engine, lively and not too wasteful, the Bertone Ritmo Cabrio is nimble in urban settings yet well suited for speed bursts. Its suspensions are well calibrated, designed for leisure as well as sporting activities, with a controlled cornering ability even during high-speed curves. The comfort level is good with the folding hood both on—thanks to the multi-layer coating that protects from the cold and provides more-than-respectable acoustics—and off, making it aerodynamically suitable for use all-year-round (with rolled up windows).
However, these are not the only winning points of this car. The Ritmo Cabrio has accompanied its owners throughout the ’80s, and is one of the most coveted open cars of that period—with a vaguely working-class air, it represents an achievable dream accessible to many.
Nowadays, it is still the ideal car for an outing while listening to songs from a memorable decade that, in 1988 (registration year of this Bertone), churned out hits that are still regularly broadcast on radio to this day. It is the ideal car one would use for leaving behind all the problems of the work week in favour of organising a little reunion with friends. No matter whether you live on the coast or not: the Supercabrio will always be able to teleport you by the sea, on holiday, on a sunny day or on a hot night at the end of July.
After all, that’s why I chose it.
A real surprise – Passione Classica’s Bertone Ritmo Supercabrio 100S
Once subjected to a strong car-scrapping campaign, the Ritmo Cabrio, like many of its peers, was victim to the passage of time. However, there are still a few well-preserved specimens here and there in Italy, though the 100S is now a rare commodity.
During one of my trips in Europe, I met a nice Dutch collector, passionate about Italian cars—Lancia and Fiat especially—who offered me this wonderful Supercabrio (derived from the third-series Ritmo), maybe one of the last ever produced. At the time, I had already attempted several negotiations here in Italy to purchase a car like this one, disheartened sometimes by the colour combinations of two-toned models, and more often by the conditions of some deals that, while promising online, turned out to be beyond repair. So, after a tea with my Dutch friend—and after discovering that these cars are very successful outside our borders—I could not let this opportunity slip through my fingers.
This fiery red model, which belonged to the wife of a large Fiat importer, is in really good shape. It has about 55,000 km, which is believable not only because of its usage status (upholstery, folding hood, underbody, etc.), but also because of its vehicle inspection history, of which I have a copy, that highlights a limited amount of kilometres travelled. A good polishing was more than enough but, as usual, I had it brought in for a tune-up (the invoice is available) so that it would be ready for use. It is already registered in Italy and in the ASI (Automoclub Storico Italiano), and its historical relevance is recorded in the vehicle registration certificate. It still has its original handbooks.
Driving experience – Sporty enough
Sporty enough: with its 1,585 cc, twin cam Fiat engine, lively and not too wasteful, the Bertone Ritmo Cabrio is nimble in urban settings yet well suited for speed bursts. Its suspensions are well calibrated, designed for leisure as well as sporting activities, with a controlled cornering ability even during high-speed curves. The comfort level is good with the folding hood both on—thanks to the multi-layer coating that protects from the cold and provides more-than-respectable acoustics—and off, making it aerodynamically suitable for use all-year-round (with rolled up windows).
However, these are not the only winning points of this car. The Ritmo Cabrio has accompanied its owners throughout the ’80s, and is one of the most coveted open cars of that period—with a vaguely working-class air, it represents an achievable dream accessible to many.
Nowadays, it is still the ideal car for an outing while listening to songs from a memorable decade that, in 1988 (registration year of this Bertone), churned out hits that are still regularly broadcast on radio to this day. It is the ideal car one would use for leaving behind all the problems of the work week in favour of organising a little reunion with friends. No matter whether you live on the coast or not: the Supercabrio will always be able to teleport you by the sea, on holiday, on a sunny day or on a hot night at the end of July.
After all, that’s why I chose it.
A real surprise – Passione Classica’s Bertone Ritmo Supercabrio 100S
Once subjected to a strong car-scrapping campaign, the Ritmo Cabrio, like many of its peers, was victim to the passage of time. However, there are still a few well-preserved specimens here and there in Italy, though the 100S is now a rare commodity.
During one of my trips in Europe, I met a nice Dutch collector, passionate about Italian cars—Lancia and Fiat especially—who offered me this wonderful Supercabrio (derived from the third-series Ritmo), maybe one of the last ever produced. At the time, I had already attempted several negotiations here in Italy to purchase a car like this one, disheartened sometimes by the colour combinations of two-toned models, and more often by the conditions of some deals that, while promising online, turned out to be beyond repair. So, after a tea with my Dutch friend—and after discovering that these cars are very successful outside our borders—I could not let this opportunity slip through my fingers.
This fiery red model, which belonged to the wife of a large Fiat importer, is in really good shape. It has about 55,000 km, which is believable not only because of its usage status (upholstery, folding hood, underbody, etc.), but also because of its vehicle inspection history, of which I have a copy, that highlights a limited amount of kilometres travelled. A good polishing was more than enough but, as usual, I had it brought in for a tune-up (the invoice is available) so that it would be ready for use. It is already registered in Italy and in the ASI (Automoclub Storico Italiano), and its historical relevance is recorded in the vehicle registration certificate. It still has its original handbooks.
Price
€ 17,500.00
The cars in my garage
