Cisitalia 202 CMM

Vehicle Overview

The Cisitalia 202 CMM (Coupe Mille Miglia) is a true gem in the world of automotive design, seamlessly blending cutting-edge aerodynamics with the excitement of racing. Designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi in 1946, the 202 CMM was inspired by the sleek, efficient lines of 1940s fighter planes. To refine the car’s aerodynamics, Savonuzzi began by creating a small, two-foot-long model of the car, which he coated with oil to study the airflow. This model was then tested in the wind tunnel at the Politecnico di Torino, helping to perfect the car’s performance and efficiency. The story of the Cisitalia 202 CMM dates back to 1946 when Piero Dusio, the founder of Cisitalia, aimed to return to the Mille Miglia after the war’s interruption. With the help of designer Dante Giacosa, Cisitalia had already created the D46, a single-seater with a revolutionary tubular frame. But in 1947, when Savonuzzi joined the company to replace Giacosa, he transformed the D46 into a two-seater berlinetta. This early design, created by the Turin coachbuilder Rocco Motto, featured a distinctive rear hump that prioritized aerodynamics over beauty. Savonuzzi, not fully satisfied with this version, reworked the design by hand, ultimately giving birth to the stunning 202 CMM. Built in March 1947 by Alfredo Vignale, the 202 CMM was a remarkable combination of function and style. The car featured a sleek, racy tail and two eye-catching rear fins, inspired by the stabilizers found on airplanes, which provided increased stability at high speeds. The car’s 1089 cc, 4-cylinder engine was more advanced than previous models, allowing the 202 CMM to reach an impressive top speed of 201 km/h, a significant leap over its predecessors. Its drag coefficient of 0.29 was equally groundbreaking, on par with the best sedans of the 1990s. Unfortunately, the car’s racing career wasn’t as successful as its design. In the 1947 Mille Miglia, driver Piero Taruffi had to retire in Cattolica due to a broken piston, despite leading the race. The same fate befell the car in the 1948 Mille Miglia. However, its design and engineering were undeniable, leaving a lasting impact on the automotive world. The Cisitalia 202 CMM was built with a lightweight aluminum tubular frame, inspired by aeronautical technology, and weighed just 680 kg—50 kg lighter than the Cisitalia Nuvolari Spyder. This made the car exceptionally agile and fast, but comfort was sacrificed in favor of performance. The cabin was hot, noisy, and full of vibrations, as Savonuzzi focused on reducing weight and maximizing efficiency. Over the years, the 202 CMM changed hands several times, including a period in the United States, before being returned to Italy in the 1970s for restoration. Today, it is owned by a Japanese collector, who continues to showcase this extraordinary car at vintage events. The Cisitalia 202 CMM remains a testament to Savonuzzi’s visionary design, embodying both the technical brilliance and racing spirit of its era.