The story of Carrozzeria Scioneri from Savigliano
Apart from a few Lancias and Alfa’s, the atelier founded in ’43 in Savigliano (Cuneo) by Cavalier Antonio, a simple pannel-beater, made a name…
The Fiat 500 Scioneri.
The Fiat 500 Scioneri was a limited-production, coachbuilt variant of the Fiat Nuova 500, constructed by Carrozzeria Scioneri of Savigliano during the 1960s and early 1970s. The model was based on the standard Fiat 500 chassis and mechanical components but featured external and interior modifications executed to a higher aesthetic standard. Scioneri, founded in 1943, had previously applied similar treatments to Fiat 1100 and 600 platforms. The 500 Scioneri represents the firm’s adaptation of small-displacement mass-produced vehicles into more individualized forms. Mechanically, the vehicle retained the rear-mounted, air-cooled two-cylinder engine found in the Fiat 500 series. Displacement was 499 cubic centimetres. Output varied between 18 and 21 horsepower depending on the series, transmitted through a four-speed manual gearbox to the rear axle. Suspension remained unchanged, consisting of independent front wishbones with a transverse leaf spring, and a swing-axle rear with coil springs. Braking was provided by hydraulically operated drum brakes at each wheel. The distinguishing features of the Scioneri variant lay in its exterior and interior modifications. The exterior coachwork typically received two-tone paint applications, decorative trim additions, and Scioneri-branded badging. Certain examples displayed altered grille treatments, modified lighting arrangements, and unique wheel finishes. The roofline and general silhouette remained faithful to the original Fiat 500 structure. Interiors were reupholstered in higher-grade materials, often including non-standard upholstery fabrics, improved seat construction, and revised dashboard treatments. These modifications were carried out to order, with variations in specification depending on client preference. Production volumes were minimal. No comprehensive records were issued by the coachbuilder or Fiat, but available evidence indicates that no more than a few dozen examples were completed. Surviving vehicles appear irregularly in public auctions and private sales. One example, chassis 2906540, dated 1972, has been documented in restored condition in North America. Other surviving units remain in European collections. The Fiat 500 Scioneri reflects mid-century Italian coachbuilding practices as applied to small-displacement platforms. While not a performance modification, it offered stylistic distinction for a clientele seeking personalization in a utilitarian vehicle. Its significance lies in its rarity and in its representation of the continuity of postwar Italian coachbuilding on Fiat production models.
Apart from a few Lancias and Alfa’s, the atelier founded in ’43 in Savigliano (Cuneo) by Cavalier Antonio, a simple pannel-beater, made a name…
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