Solved - NEH 818: Giannini prototype on Fiat 850 chassis - 1972

[Carnut]

What's this car, for 1 point?

[Otto Puzzell]

That one looks familiar...

[Allemano]

Very..

[Carnut]

Well, I've done another Search for it but still the name I have doesn't come up...

[thorax]

is a Giannini prototype

[Carnut]

is a Giannini prototype

It is a Giannini prototype, yes.
Some sites give it a name but I'm not sure it ever had one officially, so if you tell me when it was first shown and what it was based upon the point is yours!
Locked for your reply!

[thorax]

this prototype is based on the chassis of the Fiat 850 and showed at Turin motor show in 1972

[Carnut]

this prototype is based on the chassis of the Fiat 850 and showed at Turin motor show in 1972

That's what I have too so it's another point for you!
Well done.
I had the name 'Dune Bug' but don't think that's really what it was called...

[Paul Jaray]

isn't that the reverse motorboat car?

[Carnut]

isn't that the reverse motorboat car?

Yes, think it was said to be inspired by motor-boat design!

[Paul Jaray]

Nope, I meant literally....
In Sannia's book "Fiat 850 Fuoriserie" there's written:
"la bizzarra Giannini 850 'trimarano' esposta al Salone di Torino del 1972, su progetto dell'ing. Melchionda; la carrozzeria era lo scafo di una barca capovolto ed il parabrezza la cupola di un telefono pubblico."

"the bizarre Giannini 850 'trimarano' shown at the Salone di Torino in 1972, based on a project by ing. Melchionda; body was an upside down boat hull and the windshield a phone boot dome."

[Carnut]

Thanks.  That explains a lot!

[grobmotorix]

Here´s a 1972 photo: