1959 Fiat 1100-103 Turismo Veloce Désirée Coupé by Vignale 1 of 5
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1959 Fiat 1100-103 Turismo Veloce Désirée Coupé by Vignale 1 of 5
Highlights
One of only five Désirée coupés built by Vignale to a design by Giovanni Michelotti
Exhibited at the 1956 Turin Motor Show
Shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2019
2024 Concorso Italiano in California Best Preserved Trophy
Highly original car with factory paintwork and entirely original interior
Matching numbers confirmed by a Certificate of Origin issued by FIAT Classiche
2018 mechanical overhaul including engine rebuild, electrics, clutch and brakes
Eligible for the Mille Miglia
Single registered keeper in Genoa for 55 years and retains local licence plate
The Appeal
Between series production of beautiful cars for European car makers, Italy’s illustrious Carrozzeria Vignale were seemingly prone to flights of fancy, indulging in projects apparently for the pure joy of designing and building magnificent cars. This is one of them - Vignale’s ‘Désirée’ coupé, designed by Michelotti and built on Fiat 1100 running gear.
Only five were built, and this car is said to be the one Vignale displayed at the 1956 Turin Motor Show to promote the project. It is as much timewarp display piece as classic car, and that’s because it is highly original. The paintwork is the one it left the factory with, as is the interior. Even the Pirelli tyres are original.
The joy of this car is that it has been treated so sympathetically by its keepers. We’re told that the first owner, a Genoa resident, kept it for 55 years, and it retains its Genoa plates. In 2018 and 2019, the car received an extensive restoration, one that left the body, paint and interior original, but concentrated on refreshing the mechanicals. Work included an engine rebuild, a new clutch, carburettor and brake overhauls, and an electrical renewal.
This work was completed to ready the car for the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and it later won the 'Best Preserved' trophy at the 2024 Concorso Italiano in California.
If you can find another Désirée, we wish you well. We doubt if there is another example with the originality and provenance of this car, let alone another low-volume coachbuilt Italian 50s coupé.
Original first paint as applied by Carrozzeria Vignale
Paintwork presents well for its 70 years of age but is obviously not fresh
No signs of rust reported on the surface or underbody we are told
Vendor reports panel alignment is very precise
We are told that the doors, bonnet and boot lid open and close accurately
Bodywork reported as straight and free of dents or scratches
Some chrome trim, particularly the rear bumper, could benefit from re-plating
Chromework has been left ‘as-is’ to maintain a consistent patina
Fitted with rare Ruspa hubcaps, all reported to be in very good order
All glass reported in very good condition
Front sliding windows and rear quarter vents function smoothly we are told
Seals show signs of age in some areas
Two-tone interior reported as entirely original
Seats upholstered in synthetic leather ("skai")
Rubber mats fitted
Headlining in good order as shown but also original so shows age
Nardi wooden steering wheel
Instruments and switches reported to be in good order
Some localised seam separations on the seat cushions
Five original Pirelli tyres fitted from new
Tyres are 70 years old and would need replacing for regular use
Still wearing its original paintwork, chromework and interior, this evocative ‘TV’ coupé is a near-perfect balance of quality, character and patina. That is largely thanks to the evident care of its handful of keepers, who have managed, somehow, to preserve this car at an impressive level. It is perhaps no surprise that this car has won trophies for its state of preservation.
Of course, there is scope to take this extremely rare car to the next level, but when it is charismatic as this, why would you? Instead, enjoy one of Michelotti’s best designs, a graceful coupé that makes gentle nods to contemporary period trends like the rear fins and split front bumpers.
1,089cc four-cylinder FIAT 1100-103 TV (Turismo Veloce) engine
Four-speed manual transmission
Major mechanical overhaul carried out in 2018–2019, including an engine rebuild
Carburettor, clutch, electrical system and brakes cleaned, inspected or refurbished as part of the same overhaul
Used sporadically since, including successful participation in the 2024 Concorso Italiano
The vendor states everything functions well but recommends a general check-up given limited recent use
Original exhaust pipe reported as likely needing replacement
Beneath Michelotti’s crisp lines sits the running gear of Fiat’s rather more prosaic 1100 saloon. That’s good news for the buyer because it means plenty of shared components.
Prior to attending the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the car received a two-year mechanical overhaul. This included a rebuild of the 1.1-litre OHV 50hp engine. The clutch system was overhauled, as were the electrics, brakes and carburettor. The car has been little-used since, but we are told that everything functions correctly.
Due to the sparing use, if the buyer intends to drive the car any distance, the vendor recommends a general check over and perhaps a service. The tyres would also need to be replaced as it is fitted with its original 70 year old Pirellis. IMG_3988.jpeg316.59 KB
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