Fiat 8V Vignale

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 8V Vignale, chassis 106*000066, is a standout example of mid-20th-century automotive design, renowned for its unique history and distinctive features. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, this one-off car was crafted specifically for the 1955 Mille Miglia. It was one of only ten 8V chassis delivered to the renowned coachbuilder Vignale and was equipped with the high-performance Tipo 104*002 engine, which boasted a pair of dual-barrel Weber carburettors for enhanced power. Mario Bonacina, an Italian privateer racer and member of the Scuderia Mendunina, acquired the car new. He commissioned Vignale to fit it with a custom Coupe body designed by Michelotti, resulting in the Tipo Mille Miglia 55. The car made its debut at the ‘Salone di Torino’ in 1955 before heading to Brescia for the Mille Miglia race. Despite Bonacina’s early start at 4:31 am, the car was forced to retire due to a mechanical failure. Following its racing debut, chassis 000066 was sold in 1956 to a Milan-based businessman and eventually made its way to the United States by 1958. In California, Shelly Pfeiffer owned the car until 1981. During this period, the original engine failed and was replaced with a Chevrolet four-cylinder engine for practicality. In 1981, Daniel Simpson, a friend of Pfeiffer, acquired the car and pursued the retrieval of the original engine. After a 13-year search, Simpson succeeded in acquiring the engine, which was reinstalled in the Vignale Coupe. In the early 2010s, a Belgian enthusiast purchased the car and commissioned a comprehensive restoration by Dutch specialists Strada e Corsa. The restored Fiat 8V Vignale chassis 106*000066 has since been showcased at events across both Europe and America, continuing to captivate enthusiasts and collectors with its rich heritage and exceptional design.