Vignale Gamine

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Vignale Gamine
Overview
Manufacturer Vignale
Also calledFiat 500 Spider Vignale
Production19671971
800-900 built (estimate)
Designer Alfredo Vignale
Body and chassis
Class City car (A)
Body style 2-door roadster
Layout Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related Fiat 500
Powertrain
Engine 499.5 cc Fiat I2
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 1,840 mm (72 in)
Length3,020 mm (119 in)
Width1,300 mm (51 in)
Height1,190 mm (47 in)
Curb weight 450 kg (990 lb)

The Vignale Gamine is a small rear-engined car. [1] [2] [3] It was produced by Carrozzeria Vignale from 1967 until 1971, based on the Fiat 500F. The idea and initial orders for an open-top 2-seater roadster came from Mr Osvaldo Geminiani from Naples, owner of G.A.M. in Monte Carlo. Styling was by Alfredo Vignale. The retro-design of the Gamine relates to the 1930s Fiat 508 Balilla Coppa d'Oro. A hard-top was offered at an extra cost, and is considered these days to be quite rare.

Vignale Gamine Automobiles in the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile di Torino 01.jpg
Vignale Gamine

It was powered by a 2-cylinder, air-cooled engine of 499.5 cc from the 500F. There was only one engine version producing 21.5 PS (15.8 kW; 21.2 bhp). According to official data, the car had a top speed of 97 km/h (60 mph).

The Gamine never met its sales expectations. In fact, the slow sales and the financial problems caused by the bankruptcy of the G.A.M. drove Carrozzeria Vignale out of business. It forced Alfredo Vignale to sell his Carrozzeria [4] to De Tomaso, which manufactured the Pantera sports car there.

References

  1. Dredge, Richard (2020-12-06). "The story of the Fiat 500-based Gamine". Below The Radar. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  2. "Fiat Vignale Gamine (1967 – 1971)". Honest John. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  3. Box, Rob de la Rive (1999). Encyclopaedia of Classic Cars. Taylor & Francis. p. 273. ISBN   978-1-57958-118-3.
  4. Beliën, Guus (2024). Vignale Gamine – Complete Historie[Vignale Gamine - complete history] (in Dutch). Netherlands: GuusBeliën. p. 23. ISBN   9789090387543.