Every once in a while, you come across a car that speaks to you — not because it’s an easy project, but precisely because it isn’t. This 1967 Fiat 1500S Vignale Coupé is one of those cars. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Carrozzeria Vignale in the mid-1960s, it’s a rare and elegant piece of Italian automotive history. Far fewer 1500S models were produced compared to the more common 1300 versions, which makes finding one today something truly special.

But let’s be honest: this is not for the faint-hearted. The bodywork needs a huge amount of attention — there’s rust, panels to straighten, and structure to check. The interior is all there, which is a blessing, but it’s tired and will need a complete restoration: seats, dashboard, carpets, everything. Then there’s the missing windshield. That’s going to be a challenge because original replacements are virtually impossible to find. Most likely, it will have to be custom-made, which means additional time, cost, and patience.

From a purely financial perspective, taking on this restoration might well be antieconomic. By the time the car is finished, it could easily cost more than it’s worth on the market. But that’s missing the point. Restoring it means saving a rare Michelotti-designed, Vignale-built coupé from disappearing forever. For someone who loves Italian coachbuilt cars, the reward comes from bringing it back to life, from the satisfaction of seeing those flowing lines restored, from knowing that very few others will ever own something like it. Find it for sale at €4,900 (today $5,700) here in Modena, Italy. Thanks again to Fluc for this tip!