Coachbuilt cars based on reliable Fiat platforms offered buyers a dependable alternative to more exotic and sometimes temperamental Italian motor vehicles, while still adding the flair of a limited-production design. Though later Fiats became maligned in America for timing belt failures and comments like “Be quiet in the garage and you can hear it rust,” Fiat enjoyed a sound reputation in its Italian homeland during the 1950s, and a vast network of dealers and service locations didn’t hurt either. This 1950 Fiat 1400 Orchidea Vignale in Florence (presumably Florence Italy and not any of the 20+ localities named Florence in America) carries an interesting history including winning the Gran Premio at the 1950 Concorso d’Eleganza in Venice, Italy, according to the seller. It also formerly belonged to a museum and spent most of its life in dry storage. Now showing the equivalent of 29,800 miles, it comes to market here on BarnFinds where $210,000 will put this storied Vignale-bodied Fiat in your collection.
The inline four-cylinder 1400 cc (85 cid) motor made 43 HP (net) and won’t win many speed events in stock form. Go-fast parts and a later 1900 cc mill offer more power, though only a fool would modify this well-preserved and highly original specimen.
The rather Plebeian 1400 platform found itself positioned well to inspire Vignale and other coach builders to re-body them for customers who admired sporting vehicles from Alfa Romeo and others but wanted the dependability and low-cost maintenance of a Fiat. Thanks to Hemmings for some details. While the interior (strangely not shown) retains original upholstery, knobs, and other parts, the little green Orchid (Orchidea in Italian) gained a a paint “refresh” some 20 years ago according to the listing.
What looks like an electric heater promises to keep your toes warm in the unlikely event that you drive this museum piece in cold weather. Are you ready to give $210,000 to add this rare coach-bodied Fiat to your collection?
The heater is a standard IPRA unit, found on most Italian cars. Hoses running to the heater can be seen in the photo of the engine.
Momma Mia ! That is one RARE car. In 1948 Vignale was founded in Turin and designed and built cars for Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia and Fiat. If this is a well documented 1950 Vignale, it’s very rare and I think one of the important cars in a period ramping up to Vignale’s quality that dove tailed into his work for Ferrari. Top quality coach building,unique details. Can’t be more that a handful Survivors in the first 2 years of his coach building. Certain this is designed by Michelotti and I think a class winner at the 1950 Venice elegance concours. Is this the one that won?
In my opinion, looking at the photos, this is the cheapest Entry Ticket to Pebble Beach that could be had, then onto Amelia ! A low mileage ( seems genuine) example, never shown in the USA with a small amount of work would put you on every Green for 2022 in all the survivor classes. Right color also. Considering it’s a comfortable model to drive , all one needs is a Young Sofia Lauren as an add on – that’s the expensive part !
Good morning, yes that’s the car that won the Gran Premio at Venice, 1950.
Unfortuntely, prize-winner that it was in the 50’s, it is not very attractive to today’s eyes – the front looks overly-large and cluttered, and the roof line is bulbous. (Compare the roof line with a Lancia Aurelia…) I would suggest that an Arnolt is a far more reasonable entrance into 50’s custom Italian bodyworks, at 15% the cost.
Yes. I understand the rarity and quality on offer. But not the price. If you want to go to Pebble Beach, the cheap seats are still the cheap seats. This car would not fetch $70000 on BaT..
If you really do want a Pebble entry ticket, not spend more than $300000 and not feel the poor boy, I know of a unique Viotti bodied Lancia Aprilia of the late 30s, aerodynamic MM Berlina style, which has restored to the level over 20 years by top European professionals.
No comparison.
Good Morning. That Orchidea is a never restored car. Time capsule of a unique car, that’s why 210k.
Original spark plug, distributor, carburetor, air box, heater.. Everything is there, like in 1950. Thank you.
Thank you, the story of this car is well known, also from Torino Fiat Museum, reach of old things, including a 1950 Europe map, stored in the glovebox for years. The daughter of first owner (now 80 y.o.) and shown in pictures, used going to the sea, with her family and the Orchidea. Full of reminds.
Yes. I understand the rarity and quality on offer. But not the price. If you want to go to Pebble Beach, the cheap seats are still the cheap seats. This car would not fetch $70000 on BaT..
If you really do want a Pebble entry ticket, not spend more than $300000 and not feel the poor boy, I know of a unique Viotti bodied Lancia Aprilia of the late 30s, aerodynamic MM Berlina style, which has restored to the level over 20 years by top European professionals.
No comparison.
The issue is a 300’000 Aero MM Viotti bodied Lancia Aprilia is most likely a built up car for that money. Double Plus ++ that price for a real car. It wouldn’t make the Green if you manage smoke pass the committee. I like the Fiat because it’s unseen , original, and unquestionably real.
As Gooding & Co. put a US$400,000-US$500,000 estimate on the green 1954 1100 Vignale offered 2 years ago, which proved to be accurate, as the car sold for US$418,000 (AU$505,000 approx.). That’s a staggering price for a Fiat, but then again an original Vignale isn’t just any old Fiat, is it?
Reliable Fiat platform is a bit of contradiction, sorry but it took me a while to stop choking with disbelief of this statement
I for one – think it’s a pretty good looking car for 1950 !!!
Thank you, these are the dash knobs
When I compare the upper areas and window designs of this car with almost ANY car being mass-produced around the world, there is no comparison. This closed car is so “open” in the way it looks.
thank’s, that is a particular of back plexiglass and original seal
wish usa-er knew how others view/treat their vehicles. Attention, care, knowledge (in pretty fine detail) maintenance, etc makes ownership a bit different for these others. At any rate
I see a bit of the mid 60s Barracuda in that side view. Interesting how they blended that into the nah frnt end. Wish we (I) hada peak inside.
Thanks fr the write up/entry Todd !
Thank you, here you have a particular of driver door panel.
Good Morning, look at the floor panel insulation. It’s original. Does anybody can suggest me, please, how to add pictures? Thank’s
-If truly all original down to an original paint, this car sounds to be an amazing find. -if it was repainted even once, it would not be ‘all original’ anymore, and 70K at BAT would probably sound realistic. BUT unique cars like this just do not exist as ‘all original’ anymore, and if this is what it claims to be, I’m sure there is a collector out there willing to do the about 180K in Euros for something as unique as this one! Good luck, Luca!
Thanks, yes the paint has be refreshed years ago, only the green I think. Interiors are super. All original and perfect.
I comment on the ‘’Cheap Seats’’ opinion on the entry level to be invited to Pebble Beach. With a Car like the Vignale Fiat a cheap seat will get you further in the FUN zone than any other entry price restoration , unless you include a Joke Entry into a class that is usually created for ‘’Amusement’’. This Vignale has it – and only if it was a Ferrari it’s would look any different that this 1400 chassis. The quality is there for a good showing. I think the car needs some touching up, but it looks a very good contender for the preservation class.
I had a friend who entered a Expensive Seat car, and never did I imagine the miserable bunch of experts that torn him to shreds, depressed his wife and he hated the car after the event. This Fiat would gather respect on the green, and is ‘’user-friendly’’. From a view point of it being a non-racial design, look at that picture of the original owners – this was the real Italy. I think it’s a good choice for an entry level show car. I would dress 1950’s Italian, invite Sebastian Maniscalco and his family to dress the part and trump Leno and his boring stale routine. Then, I’d march on to Amelia for the preservation class. Before I’d ship her, I’d do Villa D’Este, a coffee with Clooney and drive to Portofino for an evening stroll. That would be a Winning Ticket !!!
Thanks, going to Villa D’este it’s a good idea. I will go for sure, in 2022, for my pleasure to show the car. It’s a cheap ticket, compared to other cars, but it’s a beautiful ticket, in my opinion. I sell for other projects I have in my mind. Sure that will not find another car like this.
Having just arrived at Pebble Beach , hat in hand, judging is 8 days. The event is live streamed on the www on the 15th. I see the committee is choosing Pininfarnia as the featured design firm , that coach builder was a popular Italian design firm that built the bodies for some of the best-loved Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Maseratis, among others. Vignale to me was quite a different Designer. Vignale is much like a Chanel Handbag, a cut above the normal, ultra chic, and a few steps from the artist hands to the clothing of the chassis. Vignale is more so jewelry like, unique interior signatures and high quality. Given this Fiat’s early birth day, Vignale had a small shop in 1950 having opened in 1948, they couldn’t have produced more than a hand full of bodies in their first years. That changed when Ferrari signed on in 1950 with more expensive creations on chassis that was 8 times the cost of this Fiat! Would be a good idea to introduce a Vignale tribute maybe in 2022. Surprised this car hasn’t been snapped up.
Oh yes I do think the Orchidea is more similar to a Chanel bag then to a car.. Also the name Vignale gave to this job remind a thing not for everyone…