The Fiat Zagato 132 Aster Coupé Prototype is a fascinating symbol of 1970s Italian automotive creativity. Presented at the 1972 Turin Motor Show, the Aster was the work of Carrozzeria Zagato’s head designer Giuseppe Mittino, who reimagined Fiat’s new 132 sedan into a striking two-door coupé.

Mittino gave the car a bold wedge profile, a fastback roofline and distinctive proportions that reflected the design language of the early seventies. Built with lightweight aluminum panels, the Aster was more than just a styling exercise: it embodied Zagato’s tradition of combining minimalism with performance-oriented engineering. The interior was equally radical, trimmed in green velvet and laid out with the driver in mind, an eccentric but very period-correct choice. Mechanically, the prototype was based on the Fiat 132’s 1.8-liter twin-cam four-cylinder engine, producing around 100 horsepower and paired with a five-speed gearbox. Although modest in output, the reduced weight of the alloy body and the aerodynamic design gave the Aster lively handling and performance well beyond its sedan origins. During the Turin debut, the prototype reportedly attracted the attention of Gianni Agnelli, who test drove the car himself.

Yet the Aster was never destined for production. The cost of aluminum body construction was incompatible with Fiat’s large-scale ambitions, and the company would later pursue the Bertone-designed X1/9 as its affordable sports car. As a result, the Aster remained a one-off vision of what could have been a stylish Fiat coupé for the seventies. Photographs from the period show the Aster on display in Turin, its sharp lines contrasting with the more conventional shapes around it. Surviving images and documents, including period playing cards that featured the prototype, emphasize its status as an object of fascination even in its own time. A second prototype was later built for the 1973 Geneva Motor Show, finished in orange with minor modifications, further underlining Zagato’s commitment to the idea. Find it for sale here in Copehagen, Denmark. Thanks again to Fluc for this tip!