Information
- Eligible for the
- Limited production (2/3 specimens)
- Complete restoration of body, interiors and engine
- Original first plates
- Only one owner recorded up to the current one
- Documents in order and updated
Documents
Registration and Italian plates.
Eligibility
Registration and Italian plates.
Eligibility
- Mille Miglia. Eligible.
- Giro di Sicilia. Eligible.
- Targa Florio. Eligible.
- Goodwood Revival. Eligible.
- Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti. Eligible.
- Vernasca Silver Flag. Eligible.
- California Mille: Eligible.
- Nürburgring Classic. Eligible.
- Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Eligible.
- Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Eligible.
- Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille.Eligible.
- Concorso d’eleganza Villa D’Este. Eligible.
Provenance
The model
The Fiat 508 C was introduced in 1937, powered by a 1.089 cc 4-cylinder engine instead of the previous Balilla’s 1-litre unit. Its power increased by one third, to 32 hp at 4.000 rpm. At the time, its comfort, handling and performance were prodigious, making it "the only people’s car that was also a driver’s car".Unusual for a low-priced car of the time was indeed the independent front suspension. In 1939, the car underwent a facelift of the front and became the Fiat 1100, sometimes inappropriately known as 1100 A to distinguish it from following models. The car gained a higher and sharper grille, earning the popular nickname of 1100 “musone” with its horizontal chrome bars, the upper three extend backwards on window-shaped slots, on each side of the redesigned engine bonnet. The body styles available were six, all from the previous models: sedan, cabriolet sedan, convertible, sports sedan, long wheelbase and taxi. No significant changes were made to the car's mechanics. After World War II, in 1948, 1100 received some mechanical and interior upgrades and was renamed 1100 B. The improved 1100 B engine produced 35 hp at 4.400 rpm, thanks to larger intake and exhaust manifolds and a larger carburettor. Inside, a new steering wheel and new instrumentation. The 1100 B was available as a sedan, a long wheelbase and a taxi. A total of 25.000 exemplars were made between 1948 and 1949. The 1100 B lasted only a year until 1949 when the car was reintroduced with a new boot and a new name, 1100 E.
The car
The Fiat 1100 B (Vignale) chassis no. 305807 is a car produced in a limited series and few specimens (two, perhaps three) in 1948. The car was built by Carrozzeria Vignale starting from a Fiat 1100 B chassis and engine. Alfredo Vignale, coming from the stabilimenti Farina, started his activity in 1946 in Torino by building "custom-built car bodies" on Fiat, Lancia and Cisitalia chassis. He had a special relationship of collaboration that linked him to automotive designer Giovanni Michelotti, also the author of this car. Therefore, this “Berlinetta Superleggera” is an example of Vignale’s first years, already demonstrating all his mastery. It was built largely in aluminium, excluding the front. Some parts, like the doors, recall - if they are not identical - those of the coeval "Berlinetta" Cisitalia. This car was followed by another one built on the chassis of the following Fiat 1100 E, which differed in a (hardly distinguishable) longer wheelbase and, mainly, in the two horizontal openings next to the main grille, on the nose. Chassis no. 305807 was exposed at the Salone Internazionale dell’Automobile di Torino in 1948. Like all the great coachbuilders of the time, Vignale participated in concourse d’elegance: a personal showcase, thanks to prestige, visibility and prizes. Chassis no. 305807 had a similar history. Advertisements and articles of the era report that the car was awarded in both big and small concourse d’elegance: the 1100 B by Vignale was a winner at the Gran Premio d’Europa at Juan Les Pin, Gran Premio di Firenze, Gran Premio di Alassio. The documents report only one owner up to the current, author of the car’s finding and restoration. We do not know a lot about the story of chassis no. 305807, from the early years until it was discovered, as a barn find. The car has rested for years in a covered garage (so its is indeed a barn-find) and was complete in all its parts. The restoration, fully documented and photographed, was thorough and attentive to every detail, respectful ofmaterials, techniques and colours. The car is shining now in its beautiful dark green with brown and green leather interiors. The clean lines, with a sober taste for trimming, are now back to their full splendour. The car has its original first plates and comes with its original logbook.
State of the Art: Complete and documented restoration of body, interiors and engine.
The Fiat 508 C was introduced in 1937, powered by a 1.089 cc 4-cylinder engine instead of the previous Balilla’s 1-litre unit. Its power increased by one third, to 32 hp at 4.000 rpm. At the time, its comfort, handling and performance were prodigious, making it "the only people’s car that was also a driver’s car".Unusual for a low-priced car of the time was indeed the independent front suspension. In 1939, the car underwent a facelift of the front and became the Fiat 1100, sometimes inappropriately known as 1100 A to distinguish it from following models. The car gained a higher and sharper grille, earning the popular nickname of 1100 “musone” with its horizontal chrome bars, the upper three extend backwards on window-shaped slots, on each side of the redesigned engine bonnet. The body styles available were six, all from the previous models: sedan, cabriolet sedan, convertible, sports sedan, long wheelbase and taxi. No significant changes were made to the car's mechanics. After World War II, in 1948, 1100 received some mechanical and interior upgrades and was renamed 1100 B. The improved 1100 B engine produced 35 hp at 4.400 rpm, thanks to larger intake and exhaust manifolds and a larger carburettor. Inside, a new steering wheel and new instrumentation. The 1100 B was available as a sedan, a long wheelbase and a taxi. A total of 25.000 exemplars were made between 1948 and 1949. The 1100 B lasted only a year until 1949 when the car was reintroduced with a new boot and a new name, 1100 E.
The car
The Fiat 1100 B (Vignale) chassis no. 305807 is a car produced in a limited series and few specimens (two, perhaps three) in 1948. The car was built by Carrozzeria Vignale starting from a Fiat 1100 B chassis and engine. Alfredo Vignale, coming from the stabilimenti Farina, started his activity in 1946 in Torino by building "custom-built car bodies" on Fiat, Lancia and Cisitalia chassis. He had a special relationship of collaboration that linked him to automotive designer Giovanni Michelotti, also the author of this car. Therefore, this “Berlinetta Superleggera” is an example of Vignale’s first years, already demonstrating all his mastery. It was built largely in aluminium, excluding the front. Some parts, like the doors, recall - if they are not identical - those of the coeval "Berlinetta" Cisitalia. This car was followed by another one built on the chassis of the following Fiat 1100 E, which differed in a (hardly distinguishable) longer wheelbase and, mainly, in the two horizontal openings next to the main grille, on the nose. Chassis no. 305807 was exposed at the Salone Internazionale dell’Automobile di Torino in 1948. Like all the great coachbuilders of the time, Vignale participated in concourse d’elegance: a personal showcase, thanks to prestige, visibility and prizes. Chassis no. 305807 had a similar history. Advertisements and articles of the era report that the car was awarded in both big and small concourse d’elegance: the 1100 B by Vignale was a winner at the Gran Premio d’Europa at Juan Les Pin, Gran Premio di Firenze, Gran Premio di Alassio. The documents report only one owner up to the current, author of the car’s finding and restoration. We do not know a lot about the story of chassis no. 305807, from the early years until it was discovered, as a barn find. The car has rested for years in a covered garage (so its is indeed a barn-find) and was complete in all its parts. The restoration, fully documented and photographed, was thorough and attentive to every detail, respectful ofmaterials, techniques and colours. The car is shining now in its beautiful dark green with brown and green leather interiors. The clean lines, with a sober taste for trimming, are now back to their full splendour. The car has its original first plates and comes with its original logbook.
State of the Art: Complete and documented restoration of body, interiors and engine.
Exhibition
Literature
Dante Giacosa, I miei 40 anni di progettazione alla Fiat, Centro Storico Fiat, Torino 2014.-Alfredo Zanellato Vignale, VIgnale, Il Cammello, Torino 2015.
Specialist Notes
Condition report
To request a Condition Report, please contact automotive@finarte.it
The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers.
We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.