Cisitalia, The Brand That Altered Porsche’s Destiny, Reviewed

Review by Pete Vack

Books on Cisitalia are rare. We have found three important books on the subject:

A Dream Called Cisitalia 202 (Un Sogno Chiamato Cisitalia) The True Story of the Most Beautiful Car in the World by Mario Simoni, published in 2004, relates the Cisitalia story in 225 pages, and almost 500 photos. The text is in Italian, but worth every cent of the $100 or so that is being asked for a copy on eBay.

Simoni’s book, which focused on the history of the 202, followed the publication in 1991 of Cisitalia, Catalogue Raisonne 1945-1965, a massive history published by Automobilia, which is 280 pages. Nino Balestra and Cesare De Agostini authored the work, which can be found at various online bookstores for about $200. This one is a must for any Italian car enthusiast. Nino Balestra was also responsible for the 1980 book on Cisitalia along with De Agostini, and copies in English can be found for around $200.

The latest book on Cisitalia is now available. Cisitalia, the brand that altered Porsche’s Destiny constitutes a refreshing look at three significant Cisitalias while shedding light on the history of the marque from a unique and important perspective. It is also the first to provide a forum…monograph… for three chassis numbers, including stunning photography by Jeroen Vink. It can be purchased for about $70 and we found it a very good deal. And perhaps most interesting, the text for the new book is provided by none other than Mario Simoni and Nino Balestra, authors and co-authors of the few Cisitalia histories, so we know that the information in this latest effort is accurate. Furthermore, the book is edited by the Swiss Veloce Media Agency under the editorial brand of SpeedHolics, and the quality is superb.

Collectable Cisitalias

One might ask if you were to collect Cisitalias, which models would be a must have? Certainly the 202 Gran Sport that stunned the world and was shown at the MOMA. Then one of the Savonuzzi 202 Mille Miglia coupes or spyders. And perhaps, the 202 Cabriolet, again, keeping with the earlier variants of the 202 series.

It would be a perfect triumvirate, and all three eligible in any vintage race, rally or show throughout the world. Recently, superb examples of these three Cisitalias were brought together in Holland by Alex von Mozer of Very Superior Old Cars (VSOC) are the focus of the latest book.

While the individual histories of each car are all too short, the photography is elegant, and the beauty of the three cars translates very well from lens to page.

Without Cisitalia, no Porsche

The full title Cisitalia, the brand that altered Porsche’s Destiny may seem out of place, but perhaps garners the attention of Porsche enthusiasts who may not be aware of the fact that without Piero Dusio and Cisitalia, the Porsche company may not have been established. The authors tell this story in between pages of gorgeous photography.

He watched Nuvolari race the Cisitalia in the MM

In a chapter entitled ‘Cisitalia through the eyes of Mario Simoni and Nino Balestra,’ Simoni asks Balestra how he came to be a Cisitalia expert. In 1947, the Balestra family went to Vincenza to watch the Mille Miglia. A very young Balestra remembers the crowd roaring right before Nuvolari arrived. Balestra’s brother told him that Nuvolari was driving a Cisitalia, a name unfamiliar to him. They then went to see Nuvolari, now ill and wearing bandages on his face, race the Cisitalia D46 at the Idroscalo circuit. “To me, he was a hero,” said Balestra, ..”and that was the moment I fell in love with Cisitalia.”

A jeweler by profession, Balestra became an automotive historian, editor and author as well, (along with a great deal more) and concentrated on Cisitalia. Along the way, he met and interviewed Carlo Dusio, the founder’s son, Giovanni Savonuzzi, Corrado Millanta, Rudolph Hruschka, and Piero Taruffi. In particular, Balestra became a friend of Carlo Dusio, and opened up new sources of information for an in-depth Cisitalia history. Simoni’s talk with Balestra is the frosting on the cake and provides insight as to how the Cisitalia history was written.

Thankfully published by SpeedHolics

The latest effort is published by SpeedHolics.com, an elegant Swiss firm with a store that sells their own books, art, a market place for cars, articles and event calendar, all of which focus on Italian cars, drivers and designers.

Order here:

https://www.speedholics.com/product-page/cisitalia-the-brand-that-altered-prosche-s-destiny-forever