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The Fiat 1500 Coupé Viotti designed by Rodolfo Bonetto.
The Fiat 1500 Coupé Viotti, envisioned by Rodolfo Bonetto and crafted with meticulous attention to detail, stands as a testament to timeless design principles. Bonetto, renowned for his “linea tesa” design concept, imbued the Coupé with knife-edged lines and clean cuts, defying the prevailing trends of its era. This departure from convention lent the vehicle a distinctive aesthetic appeal that continues to captivate enthusiasts. The genesis of Bonetto’s “linea tesa” concept can be traced back to his collaboration with Carrozzeria Boneschi, where he first experimented with this revolutionary design philosophy. Notable among these early experiments was the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet, crafted in 1960, which showcased the hallmark characteristics of Bonetto’s visionary approach to automotive design. Debuting at the prestigious 1961 Turin Auto Salon before gracing the stage at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show, the Fiat 1500 Coupé Viotti captured the attention of automotive aficionados and industry insiders alike. While the exact number of units produced remains shrouded in mystery, it is believed that only a select few were ever built, adding to the vehicle’s mystique and exclusivity. Notably, the Fiat 1500 Coupé underwent modifications between its appearances at the Turin Auto Salon and the Geneva Motor Show. These alterations, which included a fresh paint job and a revised front grille, served to refine and enhance the vehicle’s already striking aesthetic. Whether these changes were applied to a single specimen or multiple units remains a subject of speculation among automotive historians. Despite the uncertainties surrounding its production numbers and modifications, the Fiat 1500 Coupé Viotti endures as a timeless symbol of automotive elegance and innovation. Its sleek silhouette and avant-garde design language continue to inspire admiration and reverence among enthusiasts, reaffirming Rodolfo Bonetto’s enduring legacy as a pioneering force in automotive design.
At the turn of the 60s, Carrozzeria Boneschi, together with the designer Rodolfo Bonetto, gave life to a stylistic movement called “Linea Tesa”. As the name suggests, this design style features knife edged lines and clean cuts, in contrast with the trends of the time. This bravery shown by Carrozzeria Boneschi was not rewarded by success, but it was somehow a precursor of the 70s and 80s style.
