Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
The Fiat 1100 Victoria by Bertone.
Among the diverse array of cars derived from the Fiat 1100 chassis, one of the standout creations by Bertone was the two-door Victoria saloon. It represented a departure from the conventional design and aimed to captivate the discerning tastes of the custom-built car clientele, particularly those less inclined towards the four-seat, two-door saloon prevalent in Italy at the time. As the automotive landscape evolved, Bertone embarked on a quest to redefine the aesthetic norms. By the end of the 1930s, they introduced a novel front-end configuration, departing from the traditional large-nosed radiator grill with superimposed horizontal contours. Instead, they opted for a divided air intake on the two sides of the V, drawing inspiration from the sleek designs of American cars, notably the Buick of 1939. This innovative front-end design made its debut on the Fiat 1100 cabriolet, which garnered significant attention by winning the first prize in the prestigious 1939 Concours d’Elégance held in Turin. The Fiat 1100 Victoria, with its distinctive lines and unconventional styling, sought to push the boundaries of automotive design and cater to a niche clientele seeking individuality and sophistication in their vehicles. While the concept of a two-door saloon with a four-seat layout might have seemed unconventional for Italian tastes of the time, Bertone’s ingenuity and bold approach managed to captivate the imagination of enthusiasts and critics alike. Beyond its visual appeal, the Fiat 1100 Victoria embodied the spirit of innovation and experimentation prevalent in the automotive industry during that era. It served as a testament to Bertone’s mastery in marrying form with function, creating a harmonious blend of style and performance that resonated with connoisseurs of fine automobiles.
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.
