The Fiat 1100 B Giardinetta shown here dates to 1949 and represents one of the earliest European interpretations of the station wagon concept, well before it became a standardized body style. The car is based on the Fiat 1100 B chassis and was bodied by Carrozzeria Viotti to a design by Mario Revelli di Beaumont. Revelli di Beaumont was not only a stylist but also a prolific inventor, holding dozens of industrial patents over his career. Several of his solutions appear on this car, including details related to body hardware, bumpers, and ergonomic components, reflecting an experimental and forward-looking approach typical of the immediate post-war period.

What defines this Giardinetta is the partial wooden bodywork, which places it in the “Woodie” tradition, combined with features that were advanced for the time: a split windscreen, an elastic Ultraflex bumper patented by Brunsig, the Volcambio Massarotti reverse gearbox, and a Jalt steering lock system, although the original keys are no longer present. These elements underline the car’s role as a technical showcase rather than a purely utilitarian vehicle. According to the seller, the car was first registered on 29 July 1949 and delivered new to the Istituto Tecnico Agrario Governativo Stanga in Cremona, where it was likely used for experimental or institutional purposes. It remained in the same geographical area for decades, passing through a limited number of owners, with documented ownership changes in 1979, 2003, and 2017. The current owner is described as having preserved the car with particular care.

The odometer shows 99,262 km. The paintwork was restored a long time ago and is reported to remain in very good condition, with no rust. The interior was retrimmed years ago and is described as clean and well preserved. The wooden elements, often the most critical aspect of cars of this type, are said to be in excellent condition and not in need of restoration. Rarity is a central point here. The seller suggests that only two examples of this specific Viotti Giardinetta survive today. Whether taken literally or as an indication of extreme scarcity, it remains a highly unusual car, representing a transitional moment in automotive design, when craftsmanship, experimentation, and small-series production still defined vehicles intended for specific roles rather than mass markets. Find it for sale at €59,000 (today $70,000) here in Imola, Italy.