Top six Italian jewels at Chantilly Arts & Elegance

By Greg MacLeman

| 12 Jul 2017

Fans of pint-sized classics are in for a rare treat at this year’s Chantilly Arts & Elegance, as the event celebrates its fourth anniversary with a stunning set of etceterini. Around 10 diminutive Italian sports cars are expected to take to the concours lawn from manufacturers such as Moretti, Siata and Osca. Here is our top six roundup of the confirmed cars.

1955 Moretti 1200 Spider Michelotti

This beautiful Moretti 1200 Spider Michellotti was penned by the legendary Giovanni Michelotti and unveiled at the 1955 Brussels Motor Show, where it was acquired by its first owner. It’s powered by a lightweight double overhead cam ‘four’ producing an impressive 60bhp.

1954 Goldmanini Barchetta

The one-off Goldmanini was the result of its American owner, well known SCCA racer Max Goldman, who took a tubular Gilco chassis and had it clothed in a Michelotti-penned aluminium body from Motto in Turin. The car was put on show in the Henry Ford Museum’s ‘Sports Cars in Review’ show in 1956, after which is was disassembled and placed into storage.

1946 Siata 500 Record

Based on a Fiat 500 Topolino, the Siata 500 Record is a unique two-seater built to challenge the World Land Speed record in the 500cc class held by Count Gianni Lurani’s Nibbio. The attempt was never made, but the Motto-bodied racer did take part in a number of events including the Coppa del Mare.

1952 Osca MT4 LM

Founded by Maserati brothers Bindo, Ettore and Ernesto in 1947, Osca built sports and single seater racing cars, as well as competing in the Formula One Championship without success. They had much more luck at Le Mans: this Vignale-bodied MT4 LM won its class in 1952.

1947 Cisitalia 202MM Aerodynamica Berlinetta Cassone

Cisitalia’s first venture was the single seater D46, which made a name for itself in post-WW2 Grands Prix. Two years later, the firm created a small GT called the 202. This version features bodywork by Alfredo Vignale and is powered by a 1089cc Fiat engine. It captured third place overall at the 1947 Mille Miglia.

1952 Siata 140S Daina Sport

More than 200 Dainas were produced by Siata, and the model quickly gained a reputation for sporting prowess having scored a class victory and third place overall at the first staging of the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1952. This example is the last to roll off the production line and is equipped with a four-cylinder, 92bhp engine.

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