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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17


         [TRANSPRO, INC. PRECISION TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTS LETTERHEAD]


September 24, 1996

Mr. Timothy E. Coyne
51 Hunter Ridge Road
Monroe, CT 06468

Dear Tim:

I am pleased to offer you the position of Vice President & Corporate Controller
for TransPro, Inc. starting October 7, 1996. You will work directly for me out
of our New Haven office.

Your base compensation will start at $125,000 per year, paid bi-weekly. Your
next review will be in the December 1997-January 1998 time frame. In 1997 you
will participate in the TransPro annual incentive plan which provides you with a
target bonus of 30% of your base salary, with a maximum award of 60% based on
performance. We have recommended to the Personnel & Nominating Committee of the
Board that you participate in the TransPro Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). Our
recommendation is that at the next meeting of that Committee that they grant you
4,395 stock options and a grant of 660 restricted stock which represent one-half
of a full year's grant of stock. The annual granting of options occurs in April
and it is anticipated that you will receive a full year's grant in April of
1998. These stock option/restricted stock award numbers were calculated using
the formula applied to other participants in the LTIP. In addition, you will be
provided a leased automobile or automobile allowance (4% of base pay).

TransPro offers a full benefit program which includes medical, dental, basic
life, supplemental life, and supplemental disability insurances. In helping you
make plans for your future financial security, we have a pension plan and a 401k
savings plan. All of these will be made available to you in accordance with the
various plans provisions. You will have four weeks of vacation available for
your use starting in 1997. Additionally, as a member of the Senior Staff of
TransPro you will be provided with a severance agreement which will provide you
with twelve months of severance should you lose your position for any reason
other than for cause. The Severance Agreement is attached for your review and
signature.

I am excited about your joining TransPro. We have both a great challenge and
opportunity ahead of us as we grow TransPro into a larger, more successful
business.
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You may indicate your "yes" by signing and dating this offer letter as provided
below and returning it to me. This employment offer is contingent upon your
successful passing of our drug/alcohol screening which is completed on all new
hires. I'll be in touch regarding arrangements for your drug/alcohol screening.

Sincerely,

/s/ John Martin

John Martin
Chief Financial Officer

I accept this employment offer from TransPro, Inc.


/s/ Timothy E. Coyne               9/26/96
--------------------               -------
Timothy E. Coyne                    Date


cc:  Jeff Jackson
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                               SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

         "If you should lose your position at TransPro, Inc. as Vice President
and Corporate Controller, (except for termination for "cause" as defined below);
or, should there be a material change in ownership, or the sale of a portion of
the business, which results in your not having a position similar to the
Corporate Controller including similar pay and benefits, then your bi-weekly
salary shall continue to be paid until you either secure other full-time
employment, or for one year, whichever occurs first. Based on this agreement,
you and TransPro mutually agree that the employment relationship which exists
between TransPro and yourself may be terminated at will at any time.

         This agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between you and
TransPro, Inc. with respect to the subject matter hereof, including, without
limitation, the terms of any severance payments to be made to you upon your
termination of employment with TransPro, and shall supersede and replace all
provisions, negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such matter,
without limitation.

         Termination by TransPro, Inc. of your employment for "Cause" shall mean
termination (a) upon the willful or continued failure by you to substantially
perform your duties with the Company, (b) the willful engaging by you in an act
or acts of dishonesty constituting a felony and resulting or intended to result
in gain or personal enrichment at the expense of the company, or your conviction
of a felony, or (c) the willful engaging by you in conduct which is demonstrably
and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise."


If you understand and agree to these terms and conditions, please sign and date
this agreement as provided below and return one original copy to me.

/s/ Hank P. McHale
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Hank P. McHale, President & CEO

I accept these terms and conditions and agree to them this 26th day of
September, 1996.

/s/ Timothy E. Coyne
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Timothy E. Coyne