Vehicle Description
The Italian motor industry had been hit particularly hard during
World War II. The ruling fascist government made an attempt to
decentralize Italy's manufacturing bases, but Allied bombers had
already inflicted massive damage. Fiat was a particularly valuable
target, and it's recently christened Mirafiori plant on the
outskirts of Turin was all but wiped off the map. During the
initial post-war reconstruction, the desire to resume building cars
was strong, but resources were severely limited. Italy's small
coachbuilders were primarily spared from bombings, and they had
eager staff ready to get back to work. With so few new cars, many
coachbuilders got back in business by producing new bodies for used
vehicles. Fiat finally resumed production of their mid-range 1100,
and soon provided a steady supply of chassis for Italy's
coachbuilders to practice their craft, spurring on an Italian
coachbuilding renaissance which would last well into the 1960s. The
Fiat 1100 was constructed on a simple ladder chassis with
independent front suspension, and a 1,089 c.c. overhead-valve,
four-cylinder engine. The car first appeared in 1937 as the 508 C
"Balilla" and was Fiat's mid-sized family car. It became known as
the 1100 in 1939, and remained in production through 1953 when a
new unibody 1100 replaced it. Thanks to its versatile chassis and
its affordable cost, the Fiat 1100 would become the darling of the
Italian Carrozzerie in the 1940s and 1950s. Fissore, Ghia, Zagato,
Pinin Farina and many others created beautiful and creative designs
that ranged from ultra-light racers to luxurious cabriolets. The
great Stabilimenti Farina has long been known for its restrained
yet elegant designs, and this handsome 1100 Cabriolet Farina is
undoubtedly true to form. The car caught the attention of Enzo
Ferrari, who pleaded with Atillia Farina not to use this design on
a Fiat as it too closely resembled a 166 Inter Cabriolet. Perhaps
Enzo's influence worked as just a handful of these stylish
cabriolets were produced, and only four are known to survive. This
charming example was sold new in Italy to Sig. Alessandro Alexandri
in the summer of 1950. Period photos show a proud Alexandri behind
the wheel of his glimmering new coachbuilt Fiat. Around 1952, it is
believed to have changed hands and was put into service as a
promotional vehicle for US Salco; an Italian cycling team. Another
period shot shows the car painted up with the team's logo on the
door and a handful of ready cyclists sitting on the hood. The Fiat
remained in Italy for much of its life, and in the 1980s was
discovered in complete, but somewhat tired condition by the owner
of an Italian restoration shop. Over the course of nearly twenty
years, he personally and painstakingly restored the Fiat from the
ground up. The aluminum coachwork is formed over a steel wire
frame, a technique best known as "Superleggera" as perfected by
Carrozzeria Touring. Restoration photos show the car was carefully
disassembled, and the wire structure was painstakingly rebuilt
before the coachwork was carefully restored. When the project
began, some of the bespoke exterior trim was missing, including the
bumpers which the owner subsequently reproduced in aluminum based
on period photos. The restoration consumed over 3,000 hours, and
when completed, the car was proudly featured on the cover of the
February 2002 issue of Auto d'Epoca, a copy of which is included in
the file. Today, this lovely Fiat presents in excellent condition.
The restoration has mellowed very slightly, and the car has
benefitted from limited, careful use in the hands of recent owners.
The light blue paintwork is very good, and it remains attractive
with a warm luster. Typical of a Farina design of this era, the
body is minimally adorned, with just a few touches of polished
alloy and chrome brightwork to set off the elegant form. This car
features polished alloy bumpers, chrome Carello light bezels, and
subtle touches such as flush door handles, trafficators in the
front wings and attractive turbine-style hubcaps on cream-colored
steel wheels. Inside, the cabin is luxuriously trimmed in black
leather. Seats, door cards, and rear panels have been finely
restored and show little in the way of wear or use. Floors are
covered in black fluted rubber mat, which is typical of the era,
and protected by black carpet over mats. The dash is painted to
match the body, and the switchgear is fitted with wonderful clear
Lucite knobs. The top frame was rebuilt and the top is covered in
tan canvas which is in good order with only some minor visible
wear. Fiat's eager little 1,089 c.c. four-cylinder engine is
dressed with an aluminum valve cover and a single two-barrel Weber
carburetor. Power is sent through a column-shifted manual gearbox
and performance is sprightly, thanks to the light alloy coachwork
and compact size. The engine bay is not over-restored, instead
appearing tidy and well-presented. The sale will include
documentation of the restoration, the magazine article, copies of
period photographs, and the original Italian registration logbook.
This rare and fashionable Fiat 1100 Cabriolet is a beautiful,
enjoyable automobile that captures the essence of Stabilimenti
Farina's signature sophistication.