1956 | FIAT 1100-103 TV Vignale

A modest saloon in a Vignale dinner jacket

“Cars like this simply aren’t made anymore”. It’s a phrase that gets thrown around far too often, yet in this case it happens to be entirely true. The era of genuinely hand‑formed, feather‑light Italian sporting machinery is long behind us, which is precisely why this Fiat 1100 Vignale Desirée stands as such a captivating reminder of a lost tradition. Take Fiat’s honest, everyday 1100, dress it in Giovanni Michelotti’s impeccably judged coachwork, and suddenly you’re looking at a charming little saloon brimming with bespoke detail.

Fiat and Carrozzeria Vignale managed to offer a coupe with the poise and presence of a far more expensive Grand Tourer — a clever move at the time, and today a rare and rather delightful discovery. Yet this particular example carries an additional layer of history that elevates it from “interesting” to genuinely significant.

A Mille Miglia story behind the curtain

Built in 1956, this car is one of just three examples commissioned by Fiat with the explicit intention of competing in the Mille Miglia. The factory team upgraded both chassis and Touring Veloce engine, equipping the car with a number of competition‑focused enhancements — most notably the exceedingly rare Weber 36 DCLD3 twin‑choke carburettor, identical to those fitted to contemporary Ferraris and Maseratis.

The results spoke for themselves: victories in both the Touring Special 1100 class (Mandrini/Bertrassi) and the Touring Prepared 1100 class (Faggi). A humble Fiat 1100, yes — but with very real motorsport pedigree.

A car worthy of the Finest Lawns

This Fiat 1100/103 E TV Desirée Coupé, finished in an elegant silver‑and‑black two‑tone scheme, made its debut at the 1956 Turin Motor Show. It was sold immediately to its first owner, who cherished it for nearly sixty years. Following a comprehensive restoration in 2014, the car remained in Italy and Switzerland before crossing the Atlantic in 2016 to join the collection of Robert Pass in the United States.

It was promptly invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance — no small feat — though it ultimately appeared at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2018 after additional work. In 2022 the Desirée returned to Europe, settling in Belgium, where it earned a Special Mention of the Jury at the 2023 Antwerp Concours d’Elegance. It is accompanied by a FIVA Identity Card and, naturally, is listed in the Mille Miglia Registro.

The car retains its original Italian number plates, its Carta di Circolazione, and its factory tool kit. Mechanically it is in excellent health, driving with a lively, eager character through its column‑shifted four‑speed gearbox and rolling on Borrani knock‑off wire wheels. The cabin is a period delight: two‑tone upholstery, a classic three‑spoke wheel, and an authentic Condor AM radio. Everything about it feels correct, coherent, and quietly special — exactly the sort of Fiat a true connoisseur hopes to encounter.

A matter of timing

As is often the case with genuinely rare coachbuilt machinery, the market has taken a moment to catch its breath. The recent correction has brought this Desirée to a level that is once again realistic and properly aligned with its intrinsic worth. For the informed collector, this is not a moment for hesitation but for positioning.

The fundamentals — design, rarity (three built), provenance, concours history — remain unchanged. Only the entry point has shifted.

A rare opportunity, then, for the enthusiast who wishes to show, drive, and treasure a particularly charming example of Italian coachbuilding. We would be delighted to welcome you to our new showroom in Ternat to experience it in person.