Vignale

Year of foundation 1946

 

The history of the Vignale Carrozzeria is a fascinating and significant chapter in Italian automotive design, characterized by creativity, innovation, and a destiny marked by unfortunate events and changes of ownership.

 

Beginnings and Rise
Alfredo Vignale, born in 1913, trained as a "panel beater," a craftsman skilled in shaping metals, at prestigious factories such as Farina and Pininfarina. This experience allowed him to develop a profound knowledge of materials and a unique ability to "sculpt" car bodies.

 

After World War II, with Italy in the midst of reconstruction, Alfredo Vignale founded Carrozzeria Vignale & Co. on October 26, 1946, in Turin. His atelier quickly specialized in the production of custom-built cars, distinguished by their elegance, attention to detail, and fluid, bold lines.

 

Collaborations and Masterpieces
In the 1950s, Carrozzeria Vignale established itself as one of the most important names in global automotive design. Its success was the result of important collaborations with leading Italian and international car manufacturers:

 

Ferrari: Vignale enjoyed a particularly fruitful partnership with Enzo Ferrari, creating exclusive versions and prototypes for models such as the Ferrari 166 and the 375 America. His style, often influenced by designer Giovanni Michelotti, helped define the aesthetic of the "Rosse" cars from Maranello in those years.

 

Lancia: Many Lancia models were fitted with Vignale bodies, which enhanced the intrinsic elegance and refinement of these cars.

 

Maserati: Maserati also relied on Vignale for the production of iconic models such as the 3500 GT and the Mexico.

 

Other brands: The body shop also worked on chassis for brands such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and even some prestigious American automakers, demonstrating its versatility and talent for shaping diverse styles.

 

With increasing orders, the company moved from Turin to a larger facility in Grugliasco, continuing to produce both one-off prototypes and small series of cars, some of which were sold under the Vignale brand itself. A famous example is the Vignale Gamine, a small spider based on the Fiat 500.

 

Decline and End
Vignale's success began to falter in the 1960s, due to changes in the automotive market and growing economic difficulties. The end came tragically on November 16, 1969, when Alfredo Vignale died in a mysterious car accident.

 

After his death, the brand was acquired by Argentine entrepreneur Alejandro De Tomaso, who merged it with Ghia, another company he controlled. Under De Tomaso's management, Carrozzeria Vignale continued to operate for several years, but its fate was sealed. In 1973, Ford Motor Company acquired both Ghia and Vignale, retaining the Ghia name for luxury trims and effectively abandoning the Vignale brand as a coachbuilder.

 

In December 1974, Carrozzeria Vignale closed its doors for good.

 

The Name's Rebirth
After decades of inactivity, the "Vignale" name was revived by Ford. Starting in 2013, the brand was reused to identify the flagship models of the Ford range, distinguished by luxurious finishes, premium materials, and the craftsmanship typical of the custom-built cars of the past. This use of the "Vignale" name honors its legacy of elegance and design, although it no longer has anything to do with the original independent coachbuilding business.