1947 Cisitalia 202 SMM

Aerodinamico Berlinetta
Chassis number: EN10219

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. 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.

Just like many other historically significant vehicles of this era, few were built and few have survived. This particular car is a replica that is - in many ways - exactly like the originals. The proportions of the body are excellent, the details are impressive, including the steering wheel, door hardware, and grille. Power is supplied from an original Fiat 1100 engine fitted with twin-side draft carburetors.

In 2012 the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge presented by Bonhams Auction. It was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 but could not find a buyer willing to satisfy its reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Aerodinamico Berlinetta
Chassis number: MM001

Piero Dusio, champion footballer turned textile industrialist, had a passion for motorsport. He won his class at the 1937 Mille Miglia. In 1946 he founded Cisitalia (Compagnie Industriale Sportivo Italia). The 202 Aerodynamica Berlinetta (MM001) is a one-off coupe built for the factory works team to compete in races such as the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. It finished 2nd in class and 3rd overall at the 1947 Mille. It achieved more notable race finishes than any other Cisitalia yet sustained no serious damage. Pinin Farina's design conceived the body as a single shell, with the hood, body, fenders and headlights integral to a continuously flowing surface, rather than added on. The Museum of Modern Art featured the 202 in a 1951 exhibition, legitimizing coachwork as an art form. It is powered by a Fiat-derived 60 horsepower, 1089cc inline 4-cylinder engine with dry sump lubrication, twin Weber 36DCM carburetors and a 4-speed manual transmission. It was last shown at the 1991 Pebble Beach Concours before being purchased by a Japanese collector. It remained in Japan until May 2015, when the current owner acquired it.

Prior to World War II, Italian industrialist Piero Dusio had proven his abilities through amateur racing competitions. He had a passion for racing and the talent to back it up. More importantly, he had the financial means to create his own sports car and to compete in a more competitive arena. He had done well with the Consorzio Industriale Sportivo Italia, which was a conglomeration with interests in various industries such as sporting goods, banking, and textiles. When World War II emerged, his dreams of building racing cars were put on hold. At the conclusion of the war, he convinced Dante Giacosa and Giavonni Savonuzzi to aid in the creation. Both of these individuals were renowned engineers who had worked with Fiat and were more than capable of building a competitive racer.

The first creation of the Cisitalia Company was the D.46 monoposto powered by a 1100cc engine. They were the first racing cars to use a full space-frame chassis. Since the engineers had experience with Fiat technology, many of the components were from Fiat, such as the engine and four-speed gearbox. The engine was modified with dry-sump lubrication and twin Weber downdraft carburetors which resulted in an increase of horsepower to 60.

Seven monopostos debuted in 1946 at the Coppa Brezzi in Turin's Valentino Park. The competition was fierce but the Cisitalia, driven by Dusio, was still able to cross the finish line ahead of the pack. Though this was an impressive accomplishment, it was not as entertaining as watching Tazio Nuvolari cross the finish line in hot, and angry pursuit. His steering wheel had come detached and he was forced to drive the car by the steering hub with one hand as the other held a hold of the detached wheel.

The next iteration of vehicles produced by Cisitalia was a road-going sports car named the 202. The first vehicle off the production line was a space-framed chassis which was sent to Carrozzeria Colli to receive its body. The second was another coupe sent to Alfredo Vignale to receive its body. The third vehicle was given an open roadster body that was clothed by Garelli and further improved by Stabilmenti Farina.

Production of the 202 continued until 1952, with a total of 17 spiders and 153 coupes being constructed.

by Dan Vaughan