The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Surprisingly unsold at the onsite auction, 1953 Fiat 1100 Coupe Speciale by Allemano, styled by Giovanni Michelotti. One of only two examples built, and probably the sole survivor.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Jonathan Sharp shows us the Fiats and oddballs at Retro.
By Gijsbert-Paul Berk and friends
With over 30 color photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Previously in a series of four installments, Gijsbert-Paul Berk covered the prewar beginnings of the Fiat 1100 in 1937 up to the introduction of the Nuovo 103 and the final Italian version, the 1100R which ceased production in 1969. A long and glorious history, to be sure.
But there is always more to this interesting story of one of Italy’s greatest cars. Initially, for this episode, we planned to show just a few of the special-bodied 1100s that graced the auto shows in the 1950s, such as the gorgeous Allemano, below. Then Hugues Vanhoolandt sent along a huge selection of Fiat 1100-based cars that also included many of the sports-racers which used 1100 components. The result is below. And bear with us, the story of a Touch of Dante’s Genius is not done yet!
By Gijsbert-Paul Berk and friends
With over 30 color photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Previously in a series of four installments, Gijsbert-Paul Berk covered the prewar beginnings of the Fiat 1100 in 1937 up to the introduction of the Nuovo 103 and the final Italian version, the 1100R which ceased production in 1969. A long and glorious history, to be sure.
But there is always more to this interesting story of one of Italy’s greatest cars. Initially, for this episode, we planned to show just a few of the special-bodied 1100s that graced the auto shows in the 1950s, such as the gorgeous Allemano, below. Then Hugues Vanhoolandt sent along a huge selection of Fiat 1100-based cars that also included many of the sports-racers which used 1100 components. The result is below. And bear with us, the story of a Touch of Dante’s Genius is not done yet! [Read more…] about A Touch of Dante’s Genius Continues
Watkins Glen, 1949. Paul Farago parades his Farago Fiat in streets. Color photo by Eric Davison.
By Eric Davison
The entry list of racing cars for the 1948-1950 events at Watkins Glen was a mixed lot and most were cars produced before WW2. One of the few new cars and arguably one of the most attractive was the Farago Fiat.
Paul Farago was an Italian from Calabria, Italy who immigrated to Detroit with his family in 1930. Paul’s father operated a bus line and Paul was a skilled mechanic by the time the family arrived in Detroit. He quickly established himself as an expert on foreign car repairs as well as a race car driver on local Michigan dirt tracks.
When WW2 broke out Farago served in the Army Air Corps. When the war ended he established Farago Auto Service at 18725 John R. Street between Detroit’s Six and Seven Mile Roads. His business flourished as the private garages of Detroit and its suburbs spilled out all the wonderful cars that had been put on blocks for ‘the duration.’
Farago was also a charter member of the Detroit Region of the Sports Car Club of America. The Region had been formed when Bill Woods and his brother Jack placed a classified ad in a Detroit newspaper. The Woods brothers were sports car enthusiasts and were the owners of Woods’ Motors on Detroit’s east side. They sold MGs, Hillmans and other miscellaneous imports. [Read more…] about The Paul Farago Story