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Events16 December 2021 by Andreas 425 Viewed

Auto e Moto d’Epoca Padova 2021 best of

1950 Lancia Aurelia B50 Stabilimenti Farina

1950 Lancia Aurelia B50 Stabilimenti Farina

Take the construction skills of Stabilimenti Farina and a design by "maestro" Giovanni Michelotti and you get this beautiful Lancia Aurelia B50 coupè built in only 5 specimens (!)

1965 Fiat Decathlon

1965 Fiat Decathlon

It was parked outside, unoticed and shy: This prototype made in 1965 is based on a 500 D chassis with fiberglass body made by Carrozzeria Sibona Bassano. It was owned by the Agnelli family who had used it in the summer residence of Villar Perosa.

1961 Fiat 600 Spider Moretti

1961 Fiat 600 Spider Moretti

The pretty Fiat 600 D cabriolet designed by Giovanni Michelotti was unveiled by Moretti at the 1961 Turin Auto Show. It was restored losing its white paint in favour of this red color. it was not the only car in this slider which faced this destiny. What a pity...

2007 Fiat Barchetta Bertone

2007 Fiat Barchetta Bertone

In 2007, Bertone released this concept car as proposal for a 2nd generation of the Barchetta. Built to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the famous company, the car was based on the Fiat Panda chassis and featured an aluminum body divided into two sections connected to each other by the glass surface of the doors. It is amazing!

1956 Fiat 1100 TV Printemps

1956 Fiat 1100 TV Printemps

This Fiat 1100 designed by Michelotti was presented by Vignale at the “Contest of Elegance of the Pincio” in Rome in autumn of 1956. The car introduced a lot of analogies with a prototype of Michelotti realized for Ghia and also with the Vignale Cadillac Coupe “Bill Frick”.

1953 Moretti 750 Alger - Le Cap

1953 Moretti 750 Alger - Le Cap

This is the last survivor of a 5 units made in pre-series. The “Moretti 750 Alger – Le Cap” was often the subject of publications on automotive history texts and in 1954 it was displayed with full honors, at the Fiat stand at the Turin Motor Show.

1995 Lancia Kayak

1995 Lancia Kayak

The Kayak, presented for the first time at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show, was a Bertone interpretation of a modern Lancia coupé in line with the traditions of the manufacturer. The car is a modern reworking of the style canons of the Italian coupé, of the great cars of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Its gorgeous!

1947 Fiat 500 Panoramica

1947 Fiat 500 Panoramica

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Ugo Zagato abandoned his Milanese home and sought refuge on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Here his desire to experiment with new forms led Zagato to create an original automotive concept, the so-called 'Panoramica', destined to mark the rebirth of his coachworks in the post-war period. This is his interpretation on the Topolino chassis.

1954 Fiat 1100 TV Canta

1954 Fiat 1100 TV Canta

The italian Studebaker Commander: Canta asked Michelotti to take inspiration from the american company creating this beautiful coupè, until it got attentions from the Studebaker lawyers forcing Canta to change slightly the design. Also this car, completely restored, was originally painted white.

2011 Jaguar B99

2011 Jaguar B99

What a surprise! The B99 name stands for B for Bertone and 99 for Bertone’s 99th year in operation. It was first shown to the public on the Bertone stand at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Gorgeous and spectacular. All the Jag Lovers agree with us: It needed to be mass produced!

After a week from “Auto e Moto d’Epoca Padova” we finally found the time to take stock of the situation. This year’s show was spectacular, full of surprises and more. Among these, certainly part of the Bertone collection. As usual, we have put together a top 10 of prototypes and special bodied cars to share with you. Let us know what you think in the comments.

the author

Andreas

Italian classic car enthusiast with German roots. Renowned as a respected figure in the classic car community, he serves as a jury member at various international concours d'elegance, including the Classic Gala Schwetzingen and Mantova. As a content creator, Andreas passionately shares his profound knowledge and appreciation for vintage automobiles. His heart beats for cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti, showcasing his discerning taste and dedication to preserving the timeless elegance of automotive history.

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Prince Skyline Sport Allemano

The end of World War II left Japan in a difficult position, having to transition its industries from military production to civilian use. This challenge was particularly tough since Japan, like Germany and Italy, was a defeated nation. However, Japan’s ability to adapt would set the stage for one of the most exciting collaborations in automotive history.

Among the companies responsible for this transformation were Tachikawa and Nakajima, two of Japan’s leading aviation companies. Tasked with shifting to civilian production, Tachikawa (later known as Tokyo Electric Cars) began building electric cars in 1947. Their first model, the Tama, was followed by a slightly larger Junior, and eventually, the Senior.

In the early 1950s, Japan’s evolving automotive landscape saw a shift from electric-powered cars to gasoline engines. By the end of 1951, the Tama Senior was fitted with a 1.5-liter petrol engine, a shift that led to the creation of the Prince Sedan in 1952. This was the beginning of Prince Motor Company, which was named in honor of the official investiture of Crown Prince Akihito.

In 1954, Fuji Precision Machinery (formerly Nakajima) acquired Prince Motor Company and embarked on producing automobiles under the Prince brand. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Japan’s automotive history.

The Birth of the Skyline and the Search for European Inspiration

By the late 1950s, Prince Motor Company had gained recognition in Japan for its innovative vehicles, such as the Prince Sedan and the Skyline (introduced in 1957). However, the company sought to take their vehicles to a new level—focusing on luxury, performance, and innovation. To do so, they looked westward, to Europe, for inspiration.

Europe was home to some of the most prestigious automotive brands, and Fuji Precision Machinery executives wanted a vehicle that could rival the best of Europe. This aspiration led them to Italy, where they arranged a pivotal meeting at the Salone dell’Automobile (Turin Motor Show) with Carrozzeria Allemano, a respected coachbuilder with ties to Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti.

The collaboration between Japan and Italy led to the creation of the Prince Skyline Sport, a car that would redefine the trajectory of Japan’s automotive design. This groundbreaking partnership merged Japanese engineering with Italian artistry, setting a new standard for style and innovation. The success of this collaboration inspired other Japanese manufacturers to partner with Italy’s legendary design houses, creating some of the most iconic vehicles of the 1960s.

Mazda, for example, worked with Bertone, enlisting the renowned Giorgetto Giugiaro to design the Familia, a compact car that skillfully blended European elegance with Japanese practicality. In 1963, Daihatsu teamed up with Vignale to produce the Compagno, along with its sporty variants: the Sport Spider and Coupé; which reflected a uniquely Italian flair. The following year, Pininfarina collaborated with Datsun to craft a sleek new look for the Bluebird, a move that helped the car gain global recognition. By 1965, Isuzu joined forces with Ghia to design the Bellett II, a concept car that showcased bold and forward-thinking design elements.

These partnerships went beyond aesthetics; they helped establish a global identity for Japanese automakers. By working with Italy’s most respected design houses, Japanese manufacturers gained fresh perspectives on styling while enhancing their reputation for innovation and quality. These collaborations not only transformed the appearance of Japanese cars but also elevated their appeal to international markets, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

A Handcrafted Masterpiece

Under the direction of Giovanni Michelotti, one of Italy’s most respected automotive designers, the Skyline Sport would be an example of high-end craftsmanship. Initially, the first series of prototypes were built by Carrozzeria Allemano, known for its hand-built bodies. Later, a second series of production would be completed by Carrozzeria Michelotti, adding the final touch to this luxury vehicle.

The Skyline Sport was designed as a two-door coupe with sleek, flowing lines and a sporty yet elegant appearance. Michelotti’s design incorporated canted headlights, angled downward at the inside corners—a feature seen in other high-end vehicles like the Lincoln Continental and Buick during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

At the heart of the Skyline Sport was a 1.9-liter GB-4 engine that generated 94 horsepower, giving it a top speed of 150 km/h. Despite weighing in at 1,350 kg, the car’s handling was remarkably smooth, thanks to a double-wishbone front suspension and a De Dion rear axle, technologies that were innovative for its time.

The Prince Skyline Sport: A Bold Statement

The Skyline Sport debuted at the 1960 Turin Motor Show, where it garnered international attention for its bold design and luxury features. Available in both a coupe and a convertible version, it was a striking example of Italian design combined with Japanese engineering. Its clean lines, striking front grille, and eye-catching details made it a standout at the show.

But its beauty was more than skin deep. The Skyline Sport was a car that delivered in terms of both aesthetics and performance. With its meticulously crafted body, luxurious interior, and advanced suspension, the car offered an exceptional driving experience that rivaled the finest European vehicles of the era.

The Prince Skyline Sport made its official appearance in Japan at the 1962 Tokyo Motor Show, where it was met with great enthusiasm due to its elegant lines and striking design. With its sleek coupe and convertible versions, the car showcased a perfect blend of Italian craftsmanship and Japanese engineering, captivating the crowd with its sophisticated aesthetic. However, the Skyline Sport came with a hefty price tag of 1.85 million yen, more than twice the cost of a standard sedan. This steep price limited its appeal in Japan’s domestic market, making it a rare and exclusive collector’s item. Despite its high price, the car gained significant exposure through its prominent feature in Toho films, strategically marketed to heighten its status as a luxury icon.

A Historic Collaboration and Legacy

The Prince Skyline Sport is historically significant as the first collaboration between an Italian designer and a Japanese automaker, setting a precedent for future cross-cultural partnerships in the automotive world. It was a testament to the universal appeal of Italian design and the skill of Michelotti and Carrozzeria Allemano. The Skyline Sport bridged cultural and geographical boundaries, bringing together the best of both worlds to create a truly exceptional car.

Though the Skyline Sport never achieved high sales numbers, with only 60 to 200 units produced, its impact on the automotive industry cannot be overstated. It paved the way for later models like the Skyline GT-R and helped establish the Prince Laurel, another model that would become iconic in Japan.

The Skyline Sport also marked the beginning of Prince Motor Company’s shift toward luxury vehicles. This emphasis on quality and refinement would continue after Nissan’s acquisition of Prince Motors in 1966, with the Skyline Sport serving as a precursor to future generations of luxury cars from Japan.

The Prince Skyline Sport was more than just a car—it was a statement of innovation, craftsmanship, and the power of international collaboration. The partnership between Giovanni Michelotti, Carrozzeria Allemano, and Prince Motor Company created a vehicle that showcased the best of both Italian design and Japanese engineering.

Though limited in production and availability, the Skyline Sport remains an important part of automotive history. It stands as a symbol of the potential for global partnerships to create groundbreaking designs, and its legacy continues to inspire the automotive world today.

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