Fiat 850 Vanessa Ghia

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 850 Vanessa, designed by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro, was unveiled at the 1966 Turin Motor Show. This prototype was specifically aimed at female drivers and featured several innovative and thoughtful design elements tailored for convenience and style. Built by Carrozzeria Ghia, it utilized the Fiat 850 Idromatic’s mechanical components, including an automatic transmission. One of the standout features of the Fiat 850 Vanessa was its focus on practicality and comfort for women, incorporating unique design solutions. For example, the car featured a baby seat that folded down from the rear backrest, offering added utility for mothers. The separate side entrance was a thoughtful touch, particularly useful for shopping, while the swiveling front seats were designed with an eye toward ease of use, especially when wearing a miniskirt, a popular fashion trend at the time. The interior was also thoughtfully designed with convenience in mind. It featured safety backrests that could be adjusted, padded drawers, and cubicles for storing makeup, handbags, and umbrellas. There was even a spacious carpet-lined boot in the front for extra storage. Despite these forward-thinking ideas, the Fiat 850 Vanessa remained a prototype and never entered production. However, it remains a fascinating example of how car design in the 1960s was beginning to adapt to the needs of different demographics, offering both practicality and elegance. The 850 Vanessa showcased Giugiaro’s early creativity and vision, and though it never made it to the streets, it remains an interesting and unique part of automotive history.