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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Packard 120 Cabriolet Vignale

1939Coachwork by Vignale

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1939
Body style
Cabriolet / Victoria
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 Packard 120 Cabriolet Vignale stands as a unique and captivating collaboration between two titans of the automotive world Packard, renowned for its luxurious American craftsmanship, and Carrozzeria Vignale, an emerging force among Italian coachbuilders. Based on the esteemed 1939 One Twenty chassis, this exceptional convertible designed by Giovanni Michelotti, represents a fusion of timeless design and engineering excellence. In 1949, Packard entrusted one of their prestigious car chassis to the skilled artisans at Vignale in Turin, Italy. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey, as the collaboration between these two iconic entities resulted in the creation of a truly exceptional automobile. Exhibited at numerous prominent automobile salons across Europe in the same year, the Packard Vignale Convertible Coupe garnered admiration and accolades for its exquisite craftsmanship and unrivaled elegance. At a time when Packard, once synonymous with luxury and prestige, was facing the onset of decline, Carrozzeria Vignale represented a beacon of promise and innovation within the Italian automotive landscape. The convergence of these two forces yielded a masterpiece that transcended the boundaries of time and tradition. This singular creation, registered as a 1948 model despite being mounted on a 1939 One Twenty chassis, remains shrouded in mystery regarding the acquisition of the prewar platform. However, the practicality and economic appeal of utilizing an older chassis likely appealed to Vignale as it navigated the challenges of postwar Italy’s automotive industry. The Packard 120 Cabriolet Vignale made its grand debut at the 1950 Turin Auto Salon, captivating onlookers with its regal presence and unparalleled sophistication. From its meticulously crafted exterior to its sumptuously appointed interior, every detail of the convertible coupe exudes an air of exclusivity and refinement.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production
1
Production type
One-off
Mechanical platform
Packard 120

Engine & performance

Specification notes
Confidence detail moved from confidence: high body/model / low exact serial

Design & manufacture

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

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

XXXII Salone Internazionale dell'Automobile – Torino General · legacy_preserved
Date
1950
Chassis
General

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

Torino General · From the historical archive
Date
1950
Chassis
General
Greenwich C d’E General · legacy_preserved
Date
2022
Chassis
General

Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: list_of_awards_0_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
Old Cars Weekly — Packard concept cars / Vignale history www.oldcarsweekly.com Specialist automotive press

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history3 dated records
  1. Unassigned chassis · Event

    Torino

  2. Unassigned chassis · Event

    Greenwich C d’E

THE CONVERSATION

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