1948 Cisitalia Fiat Speciale Roadster

The rebirth and success of motorsports in Italy following the devastation of World War was fueled (in part) by Piero Dusio's brilliant Cisitalia D46 single-seater. With a Fiat-based engine - as were many of the Italian specials and small production cars of that era - they found great supporters among the elite drivers of the day, including Tazio Nuvolari.

The early vehicles produced by 'Compagnie Industriale Sportivo Italia', or 'Cisitalia' were based on the Fiat 500 'Topoloino.' Among the items sourced for the little Fiats were the 1100cc 4-cylinder engine, front suspension, steering box, and chassis. The design was orchestrated by Dante Giacosa, father of the Topolino. Piero Dusio employed the aerodynamicist and designer Giovanni Savonuzzi, who developed the D46 for production. Savonuzzi styled the Cisitalia 202 MM Aerodinamico in 1946. It was given a sleek and aerodynamic coupe body with large fins at the rear.

Piero Dusio, having a passion for motorsport, won his class on the 1937 Mille Miglia. This was followed by exploring the possibilities of building his own racing cars. The D46 single-seater appeared in 1946, fitted with Fiat mechanicals within a tubular steel space-frame chassis crafted at Cisitalia's bicycle factory. In racing, the car was very successful.

After financial troubles in the 1940s, Cisitalia relocated to Argentina. It is believed that this car was built there during that time period. It is believed that the car has an original Cisitalia chassis tag and Cisitalia D46 rear frame and suspension. It is believed that the car raced in Venezuela as early as the 1950s and as late as the 1970s. It is also believed that the car was originally powered by a 750-cubic-centimeter or 850-cubic-centimeter Fiat motor. It was later given a T-series MG engine and transmission.

Currently, the car is powered by a Fiat 1100 engine fitted with an original Cisitalia head. It has a Fiat-based gearbox, a straight exhaust, and period Fiat truck brakes. It has a tubular chassis, cycle-fendered aluminum body, and Jaeger and N. Sacma instruments.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015