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Touring Superleggera Flying Star

The Flying Star is car body style created by coachbuilder Touring introduced at the 1931 Milan Auto Show on a Isotta Fraschini 8B chassis which gained a great success. It was also adapted to other chassis maintaining the same basic settings. The trademark elements of this kind of bodywork were basically a thick chrome strip on the side that starts from the radiator, runs along the entire car forming a ‘V’ at the doors and descends on the tail. On the Alfa Romeo 6C was also introduced a innovative and spectacular mudguard with a interwaving pattern which was used also on the smaller Fiat 522C version. Usually (with some exceptions) all Flying Star models had the chassis, bodywork, spoked wheels and even steering wheel painted in cream white, at the time when most cars were usually dark painted.

The success of the Flying Star is such that it influenced many cars built in that period, in particular the sportier Alfa Romeo 6C 1750s which adopts some of its stylistic features. For example, on the 6C 1750 GTC Coupé Royal baptized ‘Fugientem incurro diem’‘ made for the Marquis Annibale Prosperini, we can find the interwaving mudguards. The Flying Star influenced also  the design of the 8C 2300 short Spider and the latest 6C 1750 GS Spider VI series.

Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Flying Star

In 1931 the first real “concept car” of the Milanese coachbuilder arrived, the Isotta Fraschini 8B Flying Star, built for Miss Alma Matteucci and presented at the Touring stand of the Milan Motor Show, then at the Concorso d’Eleganza di Genova-Nervi of that year, where it won the 1st prize, and finally at the Villa d’Este elegance contest in 1931 where it won the Targa d’Oro.

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Flying Star

The 6C 1750 Gran Sport ‘Flying Star’ was specifically created by Touring for the 1931 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Unique to the Alfa Romeo was the competition inspired, one-piece windshield that resembled the two small windscreens used by the competition 6C 1750s and the mudguards with the interweaving pattern.

Finished in a spectacular off-white throughout, this Alfa Romeo was entered in the Concorso d’Eleganza by model and loyal Touring customer Josette Pozzo. No judge could resist their combined beauty and the striking 6C 1750 was named best of show and received the  ‘Coppa d’Oro’ award. One more 6C Flying Star was built on the longer wheelbase GTC chassis for  italian politician Francesco Giunta.

Fiat 522 C Flying Star

The Fiat 522C with Flying Star body was introduced at the annual contest of Piazza Santorre di Santarosa in Milan which was very close to Touring’s Factory. The vertical radiator of the 522C and the rather high bonnet help to recapture the original spirit of the Flying Star as it was applied to the Isotta Fraschini versions. The mudguards, however, were built with the interweaving pattern introduced by Josette Pozzo’s Alfa Romeo.

flying star

Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Flying Star

A Flying Star body on an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 chassis, this time with less typical connotations but enough to earn the definition of ‘Flying Star’. This powerful and very fast car appeared in both a GT and racing car version. In the hands of leading drivers, such as Nuvolari, Borzacchini, Brivio, Sommer, Chinetti and Campari, it enjoyed a long period of success in the main road and track races, including the Mille Miglia, the Le Mans 24 hours (four years in a row), the Monte Carlo G.P. and the Targa Florio. A 2.6-litre and a 2.9-litre version were subsequently produced.

Lancia Astura Coupé

This beautiful one-off was built by Touring Superleggera for the 1938 Concorso d’Eleganza of Villa d’Este which was cancelled due to the geopolitical situation. A long and slender Flying Star body, for the first time in a Coupé version, on a 6 seat Astura IV chassis. Also here we can notice the thick chrome strips on the side that starts from the radiator, runs along the entire car forming a ‘V’ and the trademark curved louvres that symbolize a ‘Shooting Star tail’.

Flying Star

Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II

In 1966, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera explored a new, and for those days very modern design concept. Their long relation with Lamborghini was celebrated with the unique Flying Star II, a fully functional prototype with surprising proportions. The car referred to the famous Touring Flying Stars of the prewar period. It had an aluminum V12 engine, 5 speed transmission, fully independent suspension and disc brakes all around. The new design was for a strict two-seater with a very low and compact two-volume bodywork. It represented the ultimate machine for 2 people to travel fast in style and with luggage. This would be the last design to come out of the historic Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, before the company was revived in 2006.

Bentley Continental Flying Star

With its exhilarating power and tremendous dynamic qualities, the Bentley Continental GTC was the perfect platform for the rebirth of the Flying Star Shooting Brake theme already seen on the Lamborghini 400 GT distancing itself from the origins. A true sports car, roomy enough to join a shooting party or a golf tournament with elegance and style. Touring Superleggera build nineteen speciments, each one born from the direct cooperation between the customer and the design team.

The imitations

Riding the wave of success of Carrozzeria Touring, other coachbuilders also proposed their own version with the famous “comet” decoration. Here is a Lancia Astura Roadster presented by Pinin Farina at the 1935 Concorso d’Eleganza in Turin.

In 1951, the milanese Carrozzeria Boneschi, proposed a cabriolet based on a Talbot chassis named “Flying Star”. This concept remained simply an idea.

Photo courtesy of Registro Internazionale Touring Superleggera

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Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera
By Giovanni Bianchi Anderloni

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Prince Skyline Sport Allemano

The end of World War II left Japan in a difficult position, having to transition its industries from military production to civilian use. This challenge was particularly tough since Japan, like Germany and Italy, was a defeated nation. However, Japan’s ability to adapt would set the stage for one of the most exciting collaborations in automotive history.

Among the companies responsible for this transformation were Tachikawa and Nakajima, two of Japan’s leading aviation companies. Tasked with shifting to civilian production, Tachikawa (later known as Tokyo Electric Cars) began building electric cars in 1947. Their first model, the Tama, was followed by a slightly larger Junior, and eventually, the Senior.

In the early 1950s, Japan’s evolving automotive landscape saw a shift from electric-powered cars to gasoline engines. By the end of 1951, the Tama Senior was fitted with a 1.5-liter petrol engine, a shift that led to the creation of the Prince Sedan in 1952. This was the beginning of Prince Motor Company, which was named in honor of the official investiture of Crown Prince Akihito.

In 1954, Fuji Precision Machinery (formerly Nakajima) acquired Prince Motor Company and embarked on producing automobiles under the Prince brand. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Japan’s automotive history.

The Birth of the Skyline and the Search for European Inspiration

By the late 1950s, Prince Motor Company had gained recognition in Japan for its innovative vehicles, such as the Prince Sedan and the Skyline (introduced in 1957). However, the company sought to take their vehicles to a new level—focusing on luxury, performance, and innovation. To do so, they looked westward, to Europe, for inspiration.

Europe was home to some of the most prestigious automotive brands, and Fuji Precision Machinery executives wanted a vehicle that could rival the best of Europe. This aspiration led them to Italy, where they arranged a pivotal meeting at the Salone dell’Automobile (Turin Motor Show) with Carrozzeria Allemano, a respected coachbuilder with ties to Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti.

The collaboration between Japan and Italy led to the creation of the Prince Skyline Sport, a car that would redefine the trajectory of Japan’s automotive design. This groundbreaking partnership merged Japanese engineering with Italian artistry, setting a new standard for style and innovation. The success of this collaboration inspired other Japanese manufacturers to partner with Italy’s legendary design houses, creating some of the most iconic vehicles of the 1960s.

Mazda, for example, worked with Bertone, enlisting the renowned Giorgetto Giugiaro to design the Familia, a compact car that skillfully blended European elegance with Japanese practicality. In 1963, Daihatsu teamed up with Vignale to produce the Compagno, along with its sporty variants: the Sport Spider and Coupé; which reflected a uniquely Italian flair. The following year, Pininfarina collaborated with Datsun to craft a sleek new look for the Bluebird, a move that helped the car gain global recognition. By 1965, Isuzu joined forces with Ghia to design the Bellett II, a concept car that showcased bold and forward-thinking design elements.

These partnerships went beyond aesthetics; they helped establish a global identity for Japanese automakers. By working with Italy’s most respected design houses, Japanese manufacturers gained fresh perspectives on styling while enhancing their reputation for innovation and quality. These collaborations not only transformed the appearance of Japanese cars but also elevated their appeal to international markets, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

A Handcrafted Masterpiece

Under the direction of Giovanni Michelotti, one of Italy’s most respected automotive designers, the Skyline Sport would be an example of high-end craftsmanship. Initially, the first series of prototypes were built by Carrozzeria Allemano, known for its hand-built bodies. Later, a second series of production would be completed by Carrozzeria Michelotti, adding the final touch to this luxury vehicle.

The Skyline Sport was designed as a two-door coupe with sleek, flowing lines and a sporty yet elegant appearance. Michelotti’s design incorporated canted headlights, angled downward at the inside corners—a feature seen in other high-end vehicles like the Lincoln Continental and Buick during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

At the heart of the Skyline Sport was a 1.9-liter GB-4 engine that generated 94 horsepower, giving it a top speed of 150 km/h. Despite weighing in at 1,350 kg, the car’s handling was remarkably smooth, thanks to a double-wishbone front suspension and a De Dion rear axle, technologies that were innovative for its time.

The Prince Skyline Sport: A Bold Statement

The Skyline Sport debuted at the 1960 Turin Motor Show, where it garnered international attention for its bold design and luxury features. Available in both a coupe and a convertible version, it was a striking example of Italian design combined with Japanese engineering. Its clean lines, striking front grille, and eye-catching details made it a standout at the show.

But its beauty was more than skin deep. The Skyline Sport was a car that delivered in terms of both aesthetics and performance. With its meticulously crafted body, luxurious interior, and advanced suspension, the car offered an exceptional driving experience that rivaled the finest European vehicles of the era.

The Prince Skyline Sport made its official appearance in Japan at the 1962 Tokyo Motor Show, where it was met with great enthusiasm due to its elegant lines and striking design. With its sleek coupe and convertible versions, the car showcased a perfect blend of Italian craftsmanship and Japanese engineering, captivating the crowd with its sophisticated aesthetic. However, the Skyline Sport came with a hefty price tag of 1.85 million yen, more than twice the cost of a standard sedan. This steep price limited its appeal in Japan’s domestic market, making it a rare and exclusive collector’s item. Despite its high price, the car gained significant exposure through its prominent feature in Toho films, strategically marketed to heighten its status as a luxury icon.

A Historic Collaboration and Legacy

The Prince Skyline Sport is historically significant as the first collaboration between an Italian designer and a Japanese automaker, setting a precedent for future cross-cultural partnerships in the automotive world. It was a testament to the universal appeal of Italian design and the skill of Michelotti and Carrozzeria Allemano. The Skyline Sport bridged cultural and geographical boundaries, bringing together the best of both worlds to create a truly exceptional car.

Though the Skyline Sport never achieved high sales numbers, with only 60 to 200 units produced, its impact on the automotive industry cannot be overstated. It paved the way for later models like the Skyline GT-R and helped establish the Prince Laurel, another model that would become iconic in Japan.

The Skyline Sport also marked the beginning of Prince Motor Company’s shift toward luxury vehicles. This emphasis on quality and refinement would continue after Nissan’s acquisition of Prince Motors in 1966, with the Skyline Sport serving as a precursor to future generations of luxury cars from Japan.

The Prince Skyline Sport was more than just a car—it was a statement of innovation, craftsmanship, and the power of international collaboration. The partnership between Giovanni Michelotti, Carrozzeria Allemano, and Prince Motor Company created a vehicle that showcased the best of both Italian design and Japanese engineering.

Though limited in production and availability, the Skyline Sport remains an important part of automotive history. It stands as a symbol of the potential for global partnerships to create groundbreaking designs, and its legacy continues to inspire the automotive world today.