Cisitalia 202 Cabriolet Castagna

The Cisitalia 202 Castagna chassis 154SC stands as a testament to the rich heritage of the Castagna coachbuilding legacy. Ercole Castagna, who took over the company from his father Carlo in 1914, established a reputation for crafting conservative yet opulent car bodies. The period from 1920 to 1933 witnessed creative design under the stewardship of Ercole’s younger brother Emilio. The post-war era saw a pivotal addition to the team in the form of Giuseppe Seregni, the former Touring designer, brought in to revitalize the design department. In a collaboration that blended Touring influences with the creative prowess of Ercole and Seregni, the Cisitalia 202 Cabriolet Castagna emerged as a unique and exceptional vehicle. The 202, a model that marked the involvement of Ercole’s sons Carlo, Savino, and Cipriano in the company’s management, received a distinctive treatment. The Castagna creation featured a one-off spyder adorned with the innovative Vistotal Cabriolet body, a design incorporating a frameless windshield based on the Labourdette patent Vutotal, acquired by Castagna in 1937. The elegance and sophistication of the Castagna-bodied 202 manifested in only two specimens, unveiled in 1950. This limited production accentuated the exclusivity and rarity of this particular model. The design, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, showcased the ongoing commitment of the Castagna family to pushing the boundaries of luxury automobile craftsmanship. The car was manufactured in 1950, featuring a black exterior with brown seats and an engine numbered 279, classified as a type 102. The coachbuilder responsible was Carrozzeria Castagna Milano, producing a Sport and Barchetta type body. It was initially registered with the plate MI-151562 in Italy on June 30, 1950. Shortly after, it was acquired by its first owner, Penzo Gino Vittorio, on July 8, 1950, for a purchase price of Lire 1,400,000. On August 26, 1950, it participated in the Concorso d’Eleganza del Lido di Venezia with race number 118. The car continued to appear at events, including the VII Varese Campo dei Fiori on June 24, 1951, driven by Luciano Gramegna, but did not finish the race. In 1952, it changed ownership to Giordano Rota, an Italian racing driver, who drove it at the Cortemaggiore Merano II Trofeo Automobilistico Supercortemaggiore in September 1953. Subsequent owners included Enrico Valerio Alberto Maffioli from 1970, Franco Lombardi in 1977, and Rudy Pas from 1978. In the 1980s, it crossed continents, being owned by Steven Forristall and John Mecom in the United States. After a body update by Carrozzeria Castagna Milano in 1985, it changed color to red. In 1990, Giovanni Anzeloni acquired it, followed by Enrico Momo shortly after. In the 2000s, it underwent restoration, focusing on the chassis, engine, and mechanics. It changed hands to Michael Jean Francis Kruch in 2001, later appearing at events like the Mille Miglia in 2006 and 2007, driven by Luigi Zampaglione. In 2008, it was restored again, returning to its original black color. The car remains a unique and historically significant piece, encapsulating both the innovative spirit and meticulous craftsmanship of the Castagna family and Cisitalia brand.