Vignale history

As we have seen in Part 2, about 156 Vignale Ferrari bodies were built, and after 1954 Vignale gradually stopped producing bodies for Ferrari and instead concentrated on the new Maserati 3500 as Ferrari teamed up with Pinin Farina for a new line of Ferraris.
Vignale would quickly win over the Orsis at Maserati, helping establish the 3500 as a serious contender to the Pinin Farina designed Ferrari 250GT series. And by the time it was over, Vignale produced over 2,400 bodies for Maserati. Despite the loss of Ferrari, Vignale had some very good years to come before his untimely death.

By Pete Vack

Read Part 1
Read Part 2

Heads Up! Be the first to identify the ultra-rare Vignale in the photo below by make and serial number and win a signed Paul Chenard 8×10 poster!

The Good Years

In some respects, Alfredo Vignale was much like Ferrari. He had humble beginnings and like Ferrari relished in having total control of his growing enterprise. He traveled rarely, and according to his brother, never set foot in Maranello.

What is this? Click to enlarge to see details. If you are the first to properly identify this car by make AND serial number, we’ll send you a free 8×10 art poster by artist Paul Chenard. Send your guess to me at vack@cox.net. Photo by Jonathan Sharp.

This content is for Premium Subscriber members only.
Login Subscribe

Alfredo Vignale, who at one time didn’t drive or even like to ride in cars, died in an automobile accident in November of 1969. According to his brother Giuseppe, interviewed in 1956, “Alfredo’s passion for automobiles begins and ends with his coachwork. He doesn’t own a car, won’t drive a car, and only rides in one with great reluctance.” It is perhaps ironic, but the man who was Vignale and Company was responsible for some of the finest and fastest automotive sculptures of our the twentieth century.

By Pete Vack

From 1946 to 1969, the workshop of Alfredo Vignale of Turin, Italy, was among the vanguard of a number of illustrious and creative Italian carrozzeria which included Allemano, Bertone, Ghia, Motto, Pininfarina, Touring, Viotti and others. In 1947 he created the amazing and advanced Cisitalia MM from the drawings of Giovanni Savonuzzi and by 1950 became Enzo Ferrari’s primary coachbuilder, usurping Touring for the honor.

This content is for Premium Subscriber members only.
Login Subscribe

Vignale History Part 3: The Good Years and Maserati

Vignale History, Part 1 The Early Years