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The Packard 120 Cabriolet Vignale one-off designed by Michelotti.
The Packard 120 Cabriolet Vignale stands as a unique and captivating collaboration between two titans of the automotive world – Packard, renowned for its luxurious American craftsmanship, and Carrozzeria Vignale, an emerging force among Italian coachbuilders. Based on the esteemed 1939 One Twenty chassis, this exceptional convertible designed by Giovanni Michelotti, represents a fusion of timeless design and engineering excellence. In 1949, Packard entrusted one of their prestigious car chassis to the skilled artisans at Vignale in Turin, Italy. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey, as the collaboration between these two iconic entities resulted in the creation of a truly exceptional automobile. Exhibited at numerous prominent automobile salons across Europe in the same year, the Packard Vignale Convertible Coupe garnered admiration and accolades for its exquisite craftsmanship and unrivaled elegance. At a time when Packard, once synonymous with luxury and prestige, was facing the onset of decline, Carrozzeria Vignale represented a beacon of promise and innovation within the Italian automotive landscape. The convergence of these two forces yielded a masterpiece that transcended the boundaries of time and tradition. This singular creation, registered as a 1948 model despite being mounted on a 1939 One Twenty chassis, remains shrouded in mystery regarding the acquisition of the prewar platform. However, the practicality and economic appeal of utilizing an older chassis likely appealed to Vignale as it navigated the challenges of postwar Italy’s automotive industry. The Packard 120 Cabriolet Vignale made its grand debut at the 1950 Turin Auto Salon, captivating onlookers with its regal presence and unparalleled sophistication. From its meticulously crafted exterior to its sumptuously appointed interior, every detail of the convertible coupe exudes an air of exclusivity and refinement.
The story of Carrozzeria Vignale represents one of the many somewhat forgotten success stories born against the backdrop of an Italy that was torn apart by the Second World War and which, starting from the end of the 1950s, was able to recover enough to know a real miracle. economical just a few years later.
