The History of the Fiat Gamine
Born in 1913, Vignale founded Carozzeria Vignale in 1948, based at Via Cigliano Turin. Having worked and gained experience with auto design studio Stabilimenti Farina, then managed by Giovanni Farina, the older brother of Battista "Pinin" Farina. He progressed forwards with his own designs, with some one offs and some production bodied cars for other manufacturers. The most well known being Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Fiat. With more diverse manufacturers such as Tatra, Jensen, Cisitalia, Abarth, Daihatsu, Bmw and many more.
However, Alfredo Vignale was keen to produce & build his own cars. So in 1961 after a deal with fiat for chassis and engines he opened a factory near Fiat's Mirafiori factory in Crugliasco Turin. By the late 1960's Four cars were put into production at his factory. They were the Vignale 850, Samantha, Eveline and the Gamine.
The Vignale Gamine was produced on the floor plan of the Nuova 500 and had the 500cc twin cylinder air cooled engine used in the 500. The two seater car was loosely designed on the much earlier Fiat 508 Balilla. Unlike the 500, however, the Gamine had an open top and only two seats.
In December 1969 Alfredo sold the business to DeTomaso, which like Ghia, now belonged to Ford's Italian development group. Being a very modern factory, it was used to build the DeTomaso Pantera.
Sadly Vignale was killed in a car accident in November 1969.
However, Alfredo Vignale was keen to produce & build his own cars. So in 1961 after a deal with fiat for chassis and engines he opened a factory near Fiat's Mirafiori factory in Crugliasco Turin. By the late 1960's Four cars were put into production at his factory. They were the Vignale 850, Samantha, Eveline and the Gamine.
The Vignale Gamine was produced on the floor plan of the Nuova 500 and had the 500cc twin cylinder air cooled engine used in the 500. The two seater car was loosely designed on the much earlier Fiat 508 Balilla. Unlike the 500, however, the Gamine had an open top and only two seats.
Make:
Fiat
Model:
500 Gamine
Engine Capacity:
499cc
Engine Type:
In-line 2 cylinder twin
Max Power:
13.93hp at 4000rpm
Max Torque:
2.39kgf-m at 3400rpm
Transmission:
Manual 4-speed
Engine Position:
Rear
Seating number:
4
Tyres:
125/80 R12
Weight:
480kg
Length:
3030mm
Width:
1310mm
Height:
1200mm
Fuel Tank Capacity:
22 litres (5.78 gallons)
In December 1969 Alfredo sold the business to DeTomaso, which like Ghia, now belonged to Ford's Italian development group. Being a very modern factory, it was used to build the DeTomaso Pantera.
Sadly Vignale was killed in a car accident in November 1969.