The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The great coachbuilding legacy of Stabilimenti Farina has long been known for its elegant and pure designs. In business from 1906 until 1953, the Turin-based firm employed many of the greatest Italian automotive designers in their early years, such as Pietro Frua, Felice Mario Boano, Giovanni Michelotti, Alfredo Vignale, and of course Battista Farina, who went on to establish Pininfarina.
This handsome Fiat 1100 Cabriolet by Stabilimenti Farina is undoubtedly true to the most elegant early Italian sportscar designs. The car caught the attention of Enzo Ferrari, who apparently pleaded with Stabilimenti Farina boss, Atillia Farina, not to use this design on a FIAT chassis, as it too closely resembled a Ferrari 166 Inter Cabriolet. Perhaps Enzo’s influence worked, as just a handful of these stylish FIAT 1100 Cabriolets were produced, and only four are believed to have survived. This Fiat 1100 Cabriolet Stabilimenti Farina was sold new in 1949 to american cycling team “Salco” which has used it as adv vehicle.
Photo courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
An elegant convertible, built in 1949 on the popular Fiat 1100 B chassis by Stabilimenti Farina in very few speciments, remains the emblem of this extraordinary coachbuilding of cars in the early 1950s. The resemblance to Ferrari’s 166 Inter is surprising, which let to controversy between Giovanni Farina and Enzo Ferrari.
