Lancia Flaminia Cabriolet Vignale

Vehicle Overview

The Lancia Flaminia Cabriolet Vignale, introduced at the 1959 Turin Motor Show, represents a fascinating chapter in the story of Italian automotive design and the competitive world of coachbuilding. At this event, Lancia showcased various versions of its Flaminia, including a sedan and coupé, but the only cabriolet on display was the unique creation by Carrozzeria Vignale. Crafted by the talented designer Giovanni Michelotti, this cabriolet was Vignale’s attempt to secure a production contract from Lancia for an open-top version of the Flaminia. Michelotti’s design for the Flaminia Cabriolet Vignale featured sleek, flowing lines and a distinctively American influence, reflecting the styling trends of the late 1950s. The car’s elongated proportions, pronounced fender lines, and expansive front grille were all hallmarks of the era’s fascination with American automotive aesthetics, which emphasized bold, expressive forms. However, while Michelotti’s interpretation was elegant and visually striking, Lancia deemed it too reminiscent of American cars and not in line with the brand’s more conservative, understated design language. Ultimately, Lancia decided against Vignale’s proposal and awarded the commission for the Flaminia Cabriolet to Carrozzeria Touring. Touring’s version, which went into production, was more aligned with Lancia’s sophisticated European style, featuring a more restrained and classically Italian design ethos and its trademark Superleggera body. The decision marked a significant turning point in the evolution of the Flaminia range, as Touring’s cabriolet became the official open-top variant of the model. The Vignale prototype, despite its striking design and potential, was never produced beyond this initial show car. Tragically, this unique vehicle no longer exists, making it a lost piece of automotive history. Its brief appearance at the 1959 Turin Motor Show remains the only tangible legacy of what could have been a fascinating alternative in the Flaminia lineup. Today, the Lancia Flaminia Cabriolet Vignale is remembered as a symbol of the creative rivalry among Italy’s leading coachbuilders and a testament to Giovanni Michelotti’s bold vision. Although it never reached production, the car exemplifies the era’s spirit of innovation and the constant push to define the next chapter of automotive design.