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The Fiat 522 Roadster Flying Star by Touring Superleggera.
The Fiat 522 with the Flying Star body made a striking debut at the prestigious Milan contest held annually at Piazza Santorre di Santarosa. Situated conveniently near Touring’s factory, the event offered the perfect backdrop for the unveiling of this exceptional automobile, captivating a sophisticated audience of Milanese automotive enthusiasts. This model, adorned with the distinctive “comet” decoration, perfectly blended classic charm with contemporary sophistication, reflecting a unique vision for design and engineering. The design of the Fiat 522C Flying Star paid a fitting tribute to its historical predecessors. Its vertical radiator and subtly elevated bonnet evoked the spirit of Isotta Fraschini vehicles, while incorporating modern touches that spoke to Touring’s innovative approach. The homage to classic designs was evident throughout, but the car was very much a product of its time, balancing timeless aesthetics with cutting-edge engineering. A particularly standout feature of the Fiat 522C was the intricately designed mudguards, showcasing a beautiful interwoven pattern. This design was directly inspired by the Alfa Romeo Flying Star, created by Josette Pozzo. The mudguards not only contributed to the vehicle’s unique and captivating visual appeal but also reflected Touring’s commitment to the highest standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Every element of the design, from the car’s silhouette to the smallest decorative touches, was carefully considered. As a creation of the renowned Milanese coachbuilder Touring, the Fiat 522C Flying Star was an embodiment of Italian automotive artistry at its finest. Its introduction at the Milan contest underscored Touring’s ongoing dedication to pushing the boundaries of automotive design, earning admiration from critics and enthusiasts alike. This vehicle was more than just a car—it was a statement of automotive elegance and a masterpiece that bridged the past and the future of design.
The Flying Star is a type of body created by Touring Superleggera introduced at the 1931 Milan Auto Show on a Isotta Fraschini 8B chassis which gained a great success. It was also adapted to other chassis maintaining the same basic settings. The trademark elements of this kind of bodywork were basically a thick chrome strip on the side that starts from the radiator, runs along the entire car forming a ‘V’ at the doors and descends on the tail.
