A laudable example of Italian coachbuilt cars from the 1950s, the Fiat 1100 TV Desirée Coupé is an extremely rare model packed full of charm. This special-edition Fiat features bodywork built by Vignale and designed by Giovanni Michelotti, a prolific mid-century Italian designer, who penned numerous iconic cars, including the BMW 2002, Ferrari 365 GTB/4, Maserati 3500 GT, Triumph Spitfire, and many others. The Fiat 1100 TV Coupé is aptly named “Desirée” for its desirable “Turismo Veloce” or “TV” specification. As such, it features a 1.1-liter, overhead valve, four-cylinder engine fed by a Weber 36 DCL D3 carburetor, factory rated to produce 49 horsepower, roughly 15 horsepower more than a standard Fiat 1100.

Wearing black paint over a two-tone tan and olive green interior, this example was originally delivered to an individual in Genoa, Italy, according to its stamped Italian libretto registration booklet. Notably, the car remained under the care of a subsequent owner for six decades, from 1958 to 2018, and has survived in remarkably original condition. The fourth and most recent owner imported the vehicle into the United States in August 2019.

With a punchy four-cylinder and dashing coachwork, this 1100 TV is equally at home on a back road or show field, as proven by its participation at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it featured in the Postwar Preservation Class, a testament to its well-preserved condition with characterful patina throughout.

Besides the stamped libretto, the car is accompanied by a Fiat Classiche Certificato d’Origine, pencil sketches by the designer Michelotti, original plates, manual, tool roll, jack, and a rare vintage book, Carrozzieri Italiani by Biscaretti di Ruffia, with a period picture.

This Fiat 1100 TV Coupé represents a wonderful and rare opportunity to own a well-documented piece of mid-century Italian craftsmanship—one that can even be enjoyed in the prestigious and exclusive Mille Miglia classic-car rally, as only Turismo Veloce versions of the Fiat 1100 can.