Puzzle #662 - Solved! Mantelli Midget

[Otto Puzzell]

Know what it is?

Please, respond below and let us know the make, and model designation of the car posted here.

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[Allan L]

Well it is obviously some sort of plastic imitation of an MG TF, probably of US origin. May even be VW-based with the engine at the wrong end, such was the way of things once.

[Otto Puzzell]

Not plastic, VW based or rear-engined. It does look like an MG, though.

[Otto Puzzell]

Also not from the US...

[Allan L]

It does look like an MG, though.

more or less
but rather less than more;D

[grobmotorix]

is it a Minelli?

[Otto Puzzell]

Very close...

[grobmotorix]

There were and there are tons of MG TF replcas and kit cars.

The Merlin, Avallone, Naylor etc. etc.

This seem to be a bit older.

Is it a Victor TF-1?

[Otto Puzzell]

Your first guess was closer to correct. In fact, I had assumed you misspelled the name of the correct manufacturer.

[grobmotorix]

So this is the 1957 Mantelli Midget (thanks to the Monviso...)

[Arunas]

I have found that this automobile was Italian, but maybe any other details are available?

[Paul Jaray]

I will fill in the info I've got in my books at home in few weeks....

[Paul Jaray]

Carrozzeria Mantelli:
This firm is very old, it started his activity in Turin 1922 founded by Pietro Mantelli who took over the Carrozzeria Italiana and who became the ufficial supplier for Ansaldo and Diatto bodies. His cars were the first to mount bumpers.
Andrea Mantelli continued the activity of his father, who has the factory destroyed during the bombing in 1943. Like many others at that time he prepared ambulances, hearses, advertising vehicles and light trucks.
In 1956 he presented a Fiat 600 Multipla Giardinetta, with a nice two-tone paint and a different back,  a 600 Multipla Furgone and a 600 Multipla Camioncino, 2 delivery and light trucks.
In 1957 he designed a MG Midget TF replica on a Fiat 1100/103 chassis, but only one was made.
In 1957 he asked Michelotti to design a new version for the Fiat 600 and the result was a down-sized copy of a fiat 1100/103E, available in a standard verion and one color, and De Luxe version, with a bicolor paint.
In 1959 this 600 was upgraded and the new style was a (down-sized) copy of the big fiat 1800 and 2100.
Andrea Mantelli also designed a Nuova 500 Sedan in 1958 on the lines of the Fiat 1200 Granluce (!).
One of the last creations is a Fiat 850 4-door.

[Wendax]

The car is still around: