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The Flamboyant Car Design

Between 1946 and 1950 Ghia, Stabilimenti Farina and Pininfarina proposed a limited series of car bodies with a low and flowing line whose most striking feature were the covered wheel arches on the front and rear, a solution that required to widen the car to allow steering. These cars had opulent shapes, built on the chassis of various brands and conceived with the primary function of showing off the main elegance competitions so widespread at the time (Ghia’s creations made a sensation at the “Jour d’Elegance” in Lausanne in 1946).

Build as cabriolet or coupé without central pillar, the cars were defined “flamboyant” by an American journalist of the time and this term remained as an almost official qualification for them with which the two coachbuilders gained wide notoriety in Italy and abroad, especially in France.

This definition referred to the eccentric interpretations of the aerodynamic school by French coachbuilders in the second half of the 1930s and characterized by particularly sinuous and enveloping lines.

1946 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet Gran Sport by Ghia

Designed by Felice Bianco, Ghia built 2 Coupè (one based on Fiat 1500 and one on Fiat 1100) and 2 Cabriolets. The car shown here is the Cabriolet Fiat 1500 that was originally painted grey-blue, winner of several elegance contests all over Italy.

© Ard und Arnoud op de Weegh

1946 Lancia Astura Coupè by Stabilimenti Farina

Michelotti’s creation, known as “monolith” as Michelotti himself called it, this model caused a big sensation during the fashion show in Lausanne, which also appeared on all the posters of the event. The front part anticipates the “tank” style that we will see on other models of Stabiliment Farina.

1947 Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet by Pininfarina

Also PininFarina ventured into the Flamboyant Style with this one-off built on a Lancia Aprilia chassis. It was unveiled at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show. It survived and today is part of a private collection.

© Archivio Riccardo Moncalvo

1947 Lancia Astura Cabriolet by Stabilimenti Farina

Two cabriolets built with Michelotti’s design. This model, created to amaze, won in 1947 the Coppa d’Oro at the Concorso d’Eleganza of Villa d’Este leaving behind the Cisitalia 202.

1948 Lancia Aprilia Berlinetta Sport by Ghia

Designed by Felice Bianco this Lancia Aprilia Berlinetta Sport was unveiled at the 1948 Turin Auto Show. The photo shows the two mobile wheel arche covers designed by Umberto Capalbi in open position.

1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS by Ghia

This futuristic Super Sport convertible built on a 6C base was released in 1948 and was awarded the same year at the elegance concours in Rome and Montecarlo.

1948 Talbot T26 Record by Ghia

The French Talbot Lago Record enjoyed a celebrity moment at the end of the 1940s thanks also to the original bodyworks set up by Ghia.

© Cussler Museum

1949 Delahaye 135 by Ghia

In 1949 the mechanics of the Delahaye 135 housed a sumptuous and audacious bodywork prepared by Ghia with some typical connotations that earned it the definition of “flamboyant”.

© Artcurial
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Auto transport giants like A1 Auto Transport have been in the industry for over 30 years.

But how do they operate, and how can they help Italian Coachbuilders with shipping?

Below we’ll get into all of that with some choice words from Tony Taylor, the founder of A1 Auto Transport.

How Does A1 Auto Operate?

A1 Auto Transport, a top-rated auto shipping company, works to ship all kinds of vehicles from point A to point B. While this sounds simple, the logistics behind a worldwide automobile shipping company are fascinating.

A1 Auto works with many carriers, like Trans Global Auto Logistics, CFR Rinkens, ABC Worldwide LLC, Intl Cargo, and many more. By connecting consumers with plenty of carriers, they can choose whichever they work with and can negotiate down the price.

All that’s needed from the consumer is to contact A1 Auto to find out more about how much the shipping will cost, the shipping times, and much more. A1 also helps transport heavy equipment, RVs, ATVs, electric bikes, and even furniture.

The goal for A1 Auto Transport is to become the largest auto shipping company in the USA. In time, and with our hefty goals, we aim to help as many customers ship their vehicles without any worry.

What are Some Challenges A1 Auto Transport Faces?

As with most online businesses, the biggest factor is how people come to the website. Google constantly updates its algorithm, and this means that there are constant fluctuations in how many people are visiting the website.

This factor is also something you cannot account for, or future-proof, as the internet is constantly changing and evolving. The best you can hope to do is future-proof the website by creating amazing content, building great backlinks, and as well utilizing other forms of traffic, like paid advertising.

Another challenge is the constant problems that the shipping industry faces, like delays, accidents, mechanical problems, and even extreme weather. When thousands (or sometimes, hundreds of thousands) of dollars of vehicles are locked up, customers can start to become upset during difficult moments during transport.

However, with insurance, there is no reason for customers to worry. Delays however are a real problem for any shipping company and consumers need to be aware that it takes time to transport vehicles. They are not tiny boxes, they are huge machines that take time to transport and things happen along the way that can create delays.

What Does the Future of A1 Auto Transport Look Like?

The future for A1 Auto Transport is going to be a much more green future. With electric vehicles becoming a mainstay in our current culture, planning to turn all the carriers into electric vehicles is going to be a challenge, but it will benefit everyone in the end.

A1 Auto is also focusing on becoming as big as possible. With plenty of different forms of advertising, A1 Auto has a plan in mind to take over the auto shipping industry. A1 also works together with other companies, like moving services, to help consumers have an all-in-one option.

Customer service is also another area that we focus on, as bad reviews over time can lead to fewer conversions. It’s important to always remember the customer comes first, and that each customer is provided with care and excellence, as repeat customers are another form of business that is hard to calculate.

What’s the Hardest Part About the Auto Shipping Industry?

The hardest part about working in the auto industry is the stress. With vehicles worth sometimes up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, it means the stake of the company is at risk with every delivery.

That’s why we focus on providing results in an honest, and fair manner. There are plenty of shady transportation services that rip off their customers, and that’s not A1 Auto. With over 30 years in the game, we’re trying to step up the bottom line for our consumers so they never have anything bad to say about the company.

In times when things do go wrong, like late delivery, we always try to satisfy the customer as much as possible. There are solutions to every problem, but sometimes vehicles arrive late, and that’s simply due to unforeseen logistics like weather.

Conclusion

In conclusion, A1 Auto Transport, a seasoned player in the auto shipping industry, operates by connecting consumers with a network of carriers, offering a wide range of vehicle transport services. Challenges include navigating the ever-changing online landscape and dealing with shipping-related issues. A1 Auto Transport’s future goals encompass a greener approach, expanding its presence, and maintaining a strong focus on exceptional customer service, aiming to secure long-term success in the industry.