Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
The Fiat 508 S Balilla Coppa d’Oro by Ghia.
The Fiat 508 S Balilla Coppa d’Oro, introduced in 1932, was a striking example of Italian automotive design, characterized by its “spider a due posti sfalsati” (staggered two-seat spider) layout. This sports car featured a low, soft body designed for “gomito fuori” (driving with an elbow out the window), and its distinctive insect-like tail made it stand out. The bodywork, crafted by Carrozzeria Ghia, took inspiration from British spiders of the era, blending elegance with performance. Under the hood, the Fiat 508 S was equipped with a Zenith 30 VEIZ carburetor and an increased compression ratio of 7:1, boosting the power to 30 horsepower at 4,000 rpm. With a final drive ratio of 10/43, the Fiat 508 S could reach a top speed of 110 km/h. This performance made it a competitive sports car in its time, and its agility and speed were further enhanced by a lightweight chassis. Notably, the Fiat 508 S was also produced outside Italy by NSU in Neckarsulm, Germany, Walter in Prague, and Fiat-France, demonstrating its broad appeal across Europe. The most coveted version among collectors is the “Coppa d’Oro,” designed by Mario Revelli di Beaumont, which earned its name after the car’s victory in the 1934 Giro d’Italia race. This version featured distinctive single motorcycle-type mudguards, which added to its sporty aesthetics. By 1934, the car underwent several enhancements, including the addition of a 4-speed transmission and overhead valve timing, raising the power output to 36 horsepower. The bodywork also received modifications, particularly a more streamlined tail design. The car was available in a “Corse” racing setup, making it even more desirable for motorsport enthusiasts. The Fiat 508 S Balilla Coppa d’Oro’s legacy influenced later designs, including the 1967 Fiat 500 Gamine by Carrozzeria Vignale, which drew styling cues from this iconic roadster. Exhibited at the 1932 Villa d’Este and Stresa elegance concours.
The story of Carrozzeria Vignale represents one of the many somewhat forgotten success stories born against the backdrop of an Italy that was torn apart by the Second World War and which, starting from the end of the 1950s, was able to recover enough to know a real miracle. economical just a few years later.
The beginning In tracing the genealogy of coachbuilding firms, it turns out that they originated in the early years of the last century as…
Mario Revelli di Beaumont, of ancient Piedmontese noble origins, was born in Rome on June 25th 1907 from Abiel Bethel, a well-known weapons designer, and by Lucia Bonomi.
