Topic: Solved: Fiat Special Botticella 1948

[porridgehead]

Here's something you don't see every day. Or at least I don't, otherwise I'd know what the heck it is. Which I don't. I hope someone here does.


Any clues? Thanks!

[Otto Puzzell]

1948 Fiat Special Botticella; S/N 7188 Offered at Bonhams in 2010

Lot # S157 1948 Fiat Special Botticella; S/N 7188; Silver-Grey/Red leatherette; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $40,000 -- RHD. Jaeger tach, Sacma gauges, cycle fenders that don't match the paint, Marchal driving lights on stalks plus lights inside the grille and turn signals, dual Plexi aeroscreens, 4-spoke woodrim steering wheel, chrome wire wheels, 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Looks real to me. Towed onto the field and hood doesn't open, as much as I poked and prodded under the cowl and around the grille. Purportedly has a Cisitalia chassis tag somewhere and was offered in 1992 or so by the old Auto Toy Store in Ft. Lauderdale. No one, it's safe to say, at Mecum's Monterey auction had any idea what this was, including me. It might be a Mille Miglia eligible Cisitalia botticella. Then again, it might be a bunch of parts assembled many years ago in some Italian barn. It's one of those things that makes attending auctions an adventure. Oh, for Raymond Milo, who would have been able to quote chapter and verse on it. Whatever it is it didn't have enough traction to find a buyer.

[porridgehead]

Thank you. The depth of knowledge here is always breathtaking.