The Fiat 1100 was one of Italy’s most versatile post-war platforms, serving as the basis for countless racing specials built by independent coachbuilders and skilled craftsmen. During the 1950s it was common for damaged production cars to be transformed into lightweight competition machines, often incorporating ideas borrowed from contemporary sports racers. Each was effectively a… Read More One-off: 1950 FIAT 1100S Barchetta by Cicognani
The Giulia saloon needs no introduction, but Alfa Romeo never offered it as a factory station wagon. The estate versions — usually described as Giardinetta or Promiscua — were built in tiny numbers by outside coachbuilders such as Colli, Grazia and Giorgetti, almost always on commission for institutional customers like the Polizia Stradale or the… Read More Rare wagon: 1970 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super 1600 by Grazia
The Fiat 1100/103 opened a new phase for Fiat when it appeared in 1953, with a modern unitary body and a more contemporary shape than the earlier 1100 series. That matters here because the listing describes this car as a 1948 Fiat 1100 Pininfarina, but that date is not consistent with a 1100/103-based car. If… Read More White puzzle: 1953 FIAT 1100-103 Coupé by Pininfarina
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.… Read More Italian woodie: 1949 Fiat 1100 B Giardinetta by Viotti
Rare and unique are the words that best define this 1949 Fiat 1500D Convertible, styled and bodied by the prestigious Stabilimenti Farina. This is not just any early postwar Fiat: it is the six-cylinder Fiat 1500, the refined evolution of the prewar 1500 “6C,” one of the most advanced Italian family cars of the late… Read More Maroon six / 2: 1949 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet by Farina
This Peugeot 203 Barchetta by Barbier is one of those rare postwar French specials that survived as a testament to a period when creativity and racing spirit went hand in hand. Built on the robust Peugeot 203 platform introduced in 1948, Barbier’s barchetta was conceived as a lightweight open sports car for hill climbs and… Read More Blue barchetta: 1951 Peugeot 203 Barchetta by Barbier
Among the icons of postwar Italian motoring, the Alfa Romeo 1900 stands out as a landmark model: the first Alfa built in series with a monocoque body, introduced in 1950 and soon offered in sportier and more elegant versions. The “C” designation of the 1900C Sprint Coupé can be interpreted in two ways: “Corto,” referring… Read More Gracefully styled: 1953 Alfa Romeo 1900C Sprint Coupé by Pininfarina
It is very rare to encounter cars of this level of rarity in such condition; fortunately, this is one of those occasions. The Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate records that the chassis of this car was manufactured on 25 January 1955 as a left-hand drive unit, delivered without bodywork. The incomplete chassis was shipped to Delecroix,… Read More Rare encounter: 1955 Jaguar XK140 Coupé by Ghia
The Fiat 850 T was introduced in 1964 as a commercial evolution of the Fiat 850 platform. Designed to replace earlier Fiat light commercial models, the 850 T adopted a cab-over-engine layout with rear-mounted mechanicals, using the 843cc four-cylinder engine derived from the Fiat 850 passenger car series. Its compact size and versatility made it… Read More Low-ratio gearbox: 1970 Fiat 850T Hearse by Grazia
Founded in Turin in 1905 (as a car maker, but its actual foundation dates back to 1835 as a train wheels manufacturer), Diatto was one of Italy’s earliest automotive pioneers. Known for building advanced racing and luxury cars, the brand collaborated with figures like Ettore Bugatti and earned a reputation for engineering excellence. By the… Read More Modern but bespoke: 2007 Diatto GT by Zagato
Classic Virus 