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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Fiat 1400 Orchidea Cabriolet

1950Coachwork by Vignale

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1950
Body style
Cabriolet
Engine
Inline-4
Type
One-off
Production
1

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Fiat 1400 Orchidea Cabriolet, a collaborative masterpiece by designer Giovanni Michelotti and coachbuilder Alfredo Vignale, debuted at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show in 1950. This unique cabriolet version of the Fiat Orchidea Coupé immediately captivated audiences with its exquisite design and meticulous craftsmanship. Giovanni Michelotti’s visionary design philosophy, paired with Vignale’s expert craftsmanship, resulted in a stunning automobile that exuded elegance from every angle. The Orchidea Cabriolet boasted graceful lines and refined proportions, showcasing the pinnacle of Italian automotive design. Beyond its debut in Geneva, this exceptional vehicle graced the stages of the Turin Auto Salon and the Concorso d’Eleganza di Roma in 1950, receiving admiration and acclaim at each event. Alongside the cabriolet variant, Carrozzeria Vignale also presented the previously mentioned coupé and a 4-door sedan, all based on the Fiat 1400 chassis. The Orchidea Cabriolet continues to capture the imagination of enthusiasts and collectors with its timeless design and historical significance. Its rarity, beauty, and legacy serve as a testament to the rich heritage of Italian automotive coachbuilding craftsmanship and Michelotti’s design excellence. Today, the Fiat 1400 Orchidea Cabriolet remains a cherished symbol of classic Italian automotive artistry, revered for its, rarity, timeless elegance and enduring appeal.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production
1
Production type
One-off

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-4

Design & manufacture

Designer · Documented
Giovanni Michelotti
Manufacturer · Documented
Fiat
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Vignale

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

Geneva General · legacy_preserved
Date
1950
Chassis
General

Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events. No award inferred.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Carrozzieri-Italiani — Fiat 1400 Orchidea by Vignale www.carrozzieri-italiani.com Historical editorial

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history1 dated records
  1. Unassigned chassis · Event

    Geneva

THE CONVERSATION

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