1947 Cisitalia D46 Information and History

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Designer: Giacosa

There were approximately 30 D-46 cars built from 1946-1948.

This is car number 20 and is 1 of 2 with distinctive side fuel tanks.

The cars original owner was Zora Arkus Duntov, who purchased the car after being raced by the factory.

The current owner acquired the car in 1985, he purchased it out of Australia, where it had been since 1950.

In has numerous awards at Amelia and Meadowbrook.

The initial product of Piero Dusio's Cisitalia Company was a single seat formula type racer using Fiat 1100 mechanicals. It featured a tubular frame, with transverse leaf independent front suspension. Further attempts led to the development of a road going coupe and Formula One cars. In 1949, the company relocated to Argentina.

Approximately thirty D-46 race cars were built between 1946 and 1947. This was number 20, and is one of two with the distinctive side fuel tanks. The car was owned and raced by Zora Arkus Duntov, the father of the Corvette.

The car was shipped to Australia in 1950. It was acquired by the present owner in 1985 and restored to its present condition over a five-year period.

The Cisitalia D46 is credited with helping to restore car racing to Italy after the Second World War Commendatore Piero Dusio, a Italian racing driver and businessman, commissioned Ing. Dante Giacosa to create a single-seater racing car. The aspiration for this newly designed vehicle was to construct an inexpensive racing car. Giacosa was a perfect candidate for this opportunity, having designed vehicles such as the Fiat Topolino. He was an experimental aero engineering who had the resources and connections to obtain chrome-molybdenum, a material that would give the car a sophisticated spaceframe.

An 1100 cc Fiat engine was selected. After being converted to a dry sump lubrication, the engine was capable of producing 62 horsepower. Where it lacked in horsepower, it made up in design, low weight, and excellent handling. The D46 was built on principles back by aeronautical research and academic expertise. Although it had what could be considered as 'mild success' on the racing circuits it was successful at getting Italy back into the racing scene. The highlight of the D46's career was when it nearly won the Mille Miglia while being piloted by the famous racing driver, Nuvolari.

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