Description
-Highly Original
-Restored by Marque Experts
-Uprated Abarth specification (original engine supplied with sale)
One of the most illustrious of Italian coachbuilders, Carrozzeria Vignale of Turin had been founded in 1948 by Alfredo Vignale, whose career had begun pre-war with a successful design on the FIAT Topolino chassis. Enzo Ferrari's favoured coachbuilder during Maranello's formative years, Carrozzeria Vignale also designed and built cars for Lancia and Maserati among others, and in the 1960s branched out into automobile manufacture in its own right. By this time Vignale was turning out some 1, 000 bodies a year, necessitating its relocation to larger premises at Grugliasco, not far from FIAT's factory at Mirafiori, Turin. Styling maestro Giovanni Michelotti was responsible for many of Vignale's designs of this period.
FIAT chassis were used as the basis for many of Vignale's more popular models, including this 750 Coupé, which is based on the FIAT 600 D. Introduced in 1955 and historically significant as the first rear-engined FIAT, the 600 was a masterpiece of automotive packaging, cramming accommodation for four into the same 2, 000mm wheelbase as the outgoing two-seater Topolino. The integral chassis/ body featured independent suspension all round, while the 633cc water-cooled four-cylinder overhead-valve engine produced 22bhp, good enough for a top speed of 100km/ h. The most significant upgrade to this outstandingly successful design occurred in 1960 with the introduction of the 600 D, which featured a 767cc engine, improved lubrication and cooling systems, side window vents, key ignition, altered gearing, and greatly improved performance, the top speed increasing to 110km/ h.
This 1962 750 Vignale is believed to be the only example registered in the UK.
The car was purchased in Italy in very good survivor condition, showing only signs of sun damage from its life in the Italian countryside.
The bare metal restoration was entrusted to marque experts Berni Motori in Lodi, Italy. The Vignale was stripped to bare metal, and the metalwork was in superb condition with no previous signs of accident damage.
Retaining originality was imperative with this Vignale, as all of the original fittings and bumpers were re-chromed, and the interior was retained aside from the driver's seat squab.
Improving the practicality of classics is important for many owners, and ensuring it is in keeping with the time period is of similar importance. This is seen within the engine bay as a new Autobianchi A112 Abarth 1050cc engine, paired with a webber 32/ 34 was fitted doubling the bhp output. The original low mileage fiat 767cc engine is included in the sale.
A full build specification can be found below
-Engine A112 1050cc (70bhp) withe Weber 32/ 32 Carburettor
-Marelli Alternator
- Alloy Carter two piece sump
- uprated drive shafts
-Abarth Marmite silencer
-Radiator with an electric fan
-Abarth belt driven short water pump
- front mounted radiator
-uprated front discs and steel rear drums
-Abarth Front transverse leafspring
-abarth 850 differential
- Full rewire
-period borrani wire wheels full set including spare
-uprated steel headlight bezel
-uprated internals for tachometer.
Notable Moments for this motorcar:
Featured car AutoItalia magazine
Featured in GRRC Newsletter
Winner Banburugh Castle Concourse
Winner Classics at the Villa concourse
Best in class Classics at the Villa concourse
Runner-up Luton Festival of Transport show
30th London to Brighton Classic Car Run
This is an irrepeatable opportunity to acquire a very original yet usable 750 vignale coupe.
£29995. 00
