Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
The Tatra T613 Scioneri.
The Tatra T613 Scioneri was a special version of the T613 model, created in 1989 when Tatra sought to modernize and refine its design. The company chose Scioneri, the Italian coachbuilder known for its craftsmanship, to give the T613 a facelift. While Vignale also built a small series based on its own design, it was the Scioneri version that gained attention for its elegant styling updates. Three Tatra T613 cars were sent to Scioneri’s workshop in Savigliano, Italy, where the skilled artisans worked on transforming the model into a more modern, streamlined version of its predecessor. The facelift aimed to preserve the signature Tatra engineering while giving the car a more luxurious and contemporary appearance. The T613 had already established itself as a symbol of Czech automotive technology, with its rear-engine, air-cooled V8 engine and distinctive suspension system. The Scioneri facelift enhanced the model’s design with sleeker body lines, updated bumpers, and a more aerodynamic shape. These changes brought the T613 in line with 1980s automotive aesthetics, giving it a more refined and premium feel. Only a small number of these facelifted T613s were produced, making the Tatra T613 Scioneri a rare and unique vehicle. This collaboration with Scioneri reflected Tatra’s willingness to explore new ideas and external expertise, combining Czech engineering with Italian design. Today, the Tatra T613 Scioneri is a highly regarded collector’s item, admired for its blend of innovation, craftsmanship, and the fusion of Eastern and Western European automotive cultures from the late 20th century.
Explore how Italy’s famed coachbuilders like Pininfarina, Bertone, and Giugiaro left their mark on both Western and Eastern Bloc cars during the Cold War—blending high style with political savvy in a story of design diplomacy.
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…
