Fiat 1100-103 Cabriolet Allemano

The Fiat 1100/103 Cabriolet Allemano: Michelotti’s design was the subject of much appreciation at the show, with Auto Italiana writing “Finally the two magnificent … versions of an original and beautiful 2-seater based on Fiat’s ‘New 1100’ with a very personalized front and lines styled by Michelotti.” In a review of the most important styling themes seen at the show, the Michelotti Nuova 1100 Allemano models were repeatedly featured and highlighted due to their distinctive design. One reporter also noted that they were priced at “a very tempting 1,800,000 Lire” or about $2,880 USD. The design was certainly elegant, very clean and unfussy in the signature style preferred by Michelotti and his carrozzeria boss Serafino Allemano. Perhaps the most notable feature of the body is the distinctive split grille that tapers to an aggressive point in the center. Some seven years before the Ferrari 156 F1 car and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Bertone coupe that was inspired by it, Michelotti had drawn his own ‘shark nose’ for this handsome little Fiat. These special Allemano Fiats were produced in a very small series through 1953 before being succeeded by a different Michelotti design in 1954. Research done to date has found a scant two coupes and four Fiat 1100/103 Cabriolet Allemano originally produced, with only one coupe and two cabriolets known to exist today. After the Turin show, Serafino Allemano showed the cabriolet in the 7th Concorso d’Eleganza at Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the design won first in class. Photo and story courtesy of Hyman Ltd