Carrozzeria Fissore

Carrozzeria Fissore was an Italian coachbuilding company based in Savigliano, near Turin in Piedmont. Established in 1919 by the brothers Antonio, Bernardo, Giovanni, and Costanzo Fissore, it began by making horse-drawn carts before moving into automobile and truck repair and the construction of specialized vehicle bodies. Under Bernardo Fissore, who took control in 1936, the company diversified into automobile bodies, funeral vehicles, postal vehicles, small buses, and military vehicles during the Second World War. After 1945, Fissore concentrated increasingly on private automobiles. Its early postwar work included a Fiat 1100-based estate, known as the Giardinetta, and the Fiat 1100 TV coupé of 1953, designed by Mario Revelli. Fiat-based special bodies became a central part of the business during the 1950s and 1960s. The firm produced or developed limited-series coupés, estate cars, beach cars, and prototypes on Fiat platforms, including bodies based on the Fiat 1100, 1500, 500, 126, 127, and later Ritmo. Fissore was not as large or prominent as Italy's best-known coachbuilders, such as Pininfarina or Bertone, but it established an international reputation for designing and manufacturing small runs of vehicles for other manufacturers. Its customers and collaborators included DKW and Auto Union, O.S.C.A., De Tomaso, TVR, Monteverdi, Opel, and Alpine-related design projects. Some designs were built under license or by local subsidiaries in Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Greece, and elsewhere. The company combined styling, prototype construction, and low-volume body production rather than operating primarily as a mass-market vehicle manufacturer. The relationship with Swiss luxury-car maker Monteverdi became decisive. Beginning in the late 1960s, Fissore produced bodies for most of the Monteverdi High Speed range and later for the Monteverdi Safari sport-utility vehicle. The work helped sustain Fissore, but the volumes associated with Monteverdi required the company to move away from purely artisanal methods toward more industrial production. Monteverdi provided financial assistance for presses and acquired an ownership interest, ultimately taking full control in the late 1970s. Fissore's portfolio included the OSCA 1600 coupé and convertibles, the De Tomaso Vallelunga bodies, the DKW-VEMAG Fissore in Brazil, the Fissore-designed Auto Union F1000 L commercial vehicle, the Fissore 127 Scout and 126 Poker, and the TVR-based Trident project. Several other proposals remained prototypes, including an Opel Diplomat B four-door convertible, Opel GT Aero GT prototypes, a Monteverdi 2.8 Turbo, and Alfa Romeo 75 estate prototypes developed by the related Rayton Fissore firm. When Monteverdi ceased operations in 1984, Carrozzeria Fissore also closed and was liquidated shortly afterward. Its legacy rests on its role as a flexible independent Italian coachbuilder and on the many small-series and one-off bodies it created for established manufacturers and specialist marques. The similarly named Rayton Fissore was a separate company founded in 1976 by Bernardo Fissore's daughter Fernanda and her husband Giulio Malvino.

Carrozzeria Fissore began in 1919 in Savigliano, Piedmont, as a family enterprise founded by Antonio, Bernardo, Giovanni, and Costanzo Fissore. Its first activity was the construction of horse-drawn carts. As motor transport expanded, the company entered automobile and truck repair and eventually began building specialized bodies. Bernardo Fissore assumed leadership in 1936 and broadened the business into automobile bodies, funeral vehicles, postal vehicles, and small buses. During the Second World War, the company also produced military vehicles. The postwar return to civilian production led Fissore toward automobile design and body manufacture. A Fiat 1100-based estate, the Giardinetta, appeared in 1947. In 1953, the company presented the Fiat 1100 TV coupé, designed by Mario Revelli, which became an important early success. Fissore continued to develop special-bodied Fiat models through the 1950s and 1960s, including the Fiat 1500 Coupé and several small cars and utility derivatives. By the middle of the 1960s, the firm employed approximately 200 people and had evolved from a local artisan workshop into a recognized specialist supplier. During this period, Fissore expanded beyond Fiat. It worked with DKW and Auto Union, O.S.C.A., De Tomaso, TVR, and other manufacturers. Its work ranged from styling and prototype construction to the manufacture of complete bodies in small series. The company also participated in international production programs. Fissore-designed DKW-related vehicles were manufactured in Brazil, while related coupé and spyder bodies based on the Auto Union 1000 SP were produced in Argentina and Spain. The firm also designed the Auto Union F1000 L light commercial vehicle for production by IMOSA in Spain; the concept was later developed by Mercedes-Benz into the N 1000/N 1300 and subsequent MB100 family. Fissore's 1962 work for O.S.C.A., the company associated with the Maserati brothers, resulted in a small run of elegant coupés and convertibles based on the OSCA 1600. In 1964 and 1965, Fissore built aluminum bodies for the mid-engined De Tomaso Vallelunga before production moved to Ghia. The firm also created the wedge-shaped design that became associated with the TVR-based Trident after TVR's collapse, and its designer Trevor Fiore prepared an Alpine successor proposal whose design direction was later adapted into the Alpine A310. The most consequential commercial relationship was with Monteverdi. After Peter Monteverdi ended his short relationship with Pietro Frua, Fissore took over body production for the Monteverdi High Speed range in 1969. The manufacturing process involved sending chassis from Basel to Savigliano for body installation and then returning the cars to Switzerland for engines, mechanical components, and final finishing. Some cars were also constructed by other coachbuilders when capacity was limited. Fissore later supplied bodies for the Monteverdi Safari, whose stronger sales helped raise production volumes. Monteverdi work transformed Fissore's production requirements. The firm had to supplement its traditional hand-built methods with presses and more industrial processes. Monteverdi provided financial assistance for the required equipment and obtained an equity interest, eventually taking full ownership in the late 1970s. This dependence made the two companies closely linked commercially. When Monteverdi closed in 1984, Fissore lost its principal source of work and shut down. It was liquidated soon afterward. A separate enterprise, Rayton Fissore, was founded in 1976 by Fernanda Fissore, Bernardo Fissore's daughter, and her husband Giulio Malvino. Although related by family name, Rayton Fissore was not the same company. It later became known for the Iveco-based Magnum off-roader, marketed in the United States as the Laforza, and for prototype work such as Alfa Romeo 75 estate cars. Carrozzeria Fissore itself remains notable for the breadth of its independent coachbuilding activity and for helping bring specialist vehicles from concept to limited production across several countries.

• 1984

  Closure and liquidation

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  Carrozzeria Fissore closed after Monteverdi ceased operations and was liquidated shortly thereafter.

• 1976

  Rayton Fissore founded

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  Fernanda Fissore and Giulio Malvino founded the separate Rayton Fissore company.

• 1971

  Fissore 127 Scout introduced

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  The open-bodied Fissore 127 Scout, based on Fiat 127 mechanicals, debuted at the Turin Motor Show.

• 1969

  Monteverdi production relationship

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  Fissore began bodying most Monteverdi High Speed cars, creating a major long-term commercial relationship.

• 1964

  De Tomaso Vallelunga bodywork

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  Fissore designed and built aluminum bodies for the mid-engined De Tomaso Vallelunga before production transferred to Ghia.

• 1962

  OSCA 1600 bodies

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  Fissore developed a small series of coupé and convertible bodies for O.S.C.A. based on the OSCA 1600.

• 1953

  Fiat 1100 TV coupé

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  The company presented the Mario Revelli-designed Fiat 1100 TV Fissore Coupé.

• 1947

  Fiat 1100-based Giardinetta

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  Fissore introduced a Fiat 1100-based estate vehicle as it returned its emphasis to civilian automobiles after the war.

• 1936

  Expansion into specialized automobile bodies

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  Under Bernardo Fissore's leadership, the firm began constructing special automobile bodies and diversified into funeral, postal, and small-bus vehicles.

• 1919

  Company founded

  [1]Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org

  Antonio, Bernardo, Giovanni, and Costanzo Fissore established the coachbuilding business in Savigliano, Piedmont.

An independent Italian coachbuilder positioned around bespoke styling, prototype development, and low-volume manufacture for automakers and specialist vehicle companies.

• Limited-series coupé · 1953

  Fiat 1100 TV Fissore Coupé

  A fastback coupé based on the Fiat 1100 TV and designed by Mario Revelli. Introduced in 1953, it was one of Fissore's earliest notable automobile successes and demonstrated the firm's approach of combining Fiat mechanical components with distinctive, low-volume bodywork.

• Sports cars · 1962

  OSCA 1600 coupé and convertibles

  Fissore developed and built an elegant three-box body for O.S.C.A., the specialist company associated with the Maserati brothers. Approximately 22 coupés and two convertibles were produced, making the program a representative example of Fissore's small-series sports-car work.

• Mid-engined sports car · 1964

  De Tomaso Vallelunga

  Fissore designed and manufactured aluminum coupé bodies for the early De Tomaso Vallelunga on its backbone chassis. Roughly fifteen examples were built by Fissore before body production moved to Ghia.

• Passenger car · 1964

  VEMAG Fissore

  A Brazilian two-door sedan manufactured by DKW's VEMAG subsidiary. It used the mechanical basis of the Belcar but received cleaner Fissore-designed bodywork and was sold at a substantial premium. Approximately 2,500 were built between 1964 and 1967.

• Open utility vehicle · 1971

  Fissore 127 Scout

  An open-topped recreational vehicle using Fiat 127 underpinnings. Initially called the Gypsy, it was taken over by Fissore for production and marketing after the original developer lacked capacity. Early examples used fiberglass over a tubular frame; later versions adopted pressed-metal self-supporting bodywork. Related versions included the 127 Amico.

• Small open utility vehicle

  Fissore 126 Poker

  A smaller derivative of the 127 Scout concept based on the Fiat 126. The final production version was manufactured in Greece by Autokinitoviomihania Ellados.

• Luxury sports-car bodywork · 1969

  Monteverdi High Speed bodywork

  From 1969, Fissore produced bodies for most of the Monteverdi High Speed range. Chassis were transported from Switzerland to Savigliano for body installation and then returned for mechanical completion. The program supplied Fissore with important recurring work during the 1970s.

• Luxury off-road vehicle bodywork · 1976

  Monteverdi Safari bodywork

  Fissore supplied bodywork for the Monteverdi Safari, an off-road vehicle whose stronger sales helped increase production volumes. The program contributed to Fissore's transition from artisanal construction toward more industrial manufacturing.

• Light commercial vehicle

  Auto Union F1000 L

  A front-wheel-drive light commercial-vehicle design developed for Auto Union's Spanish subsidiary IMOSA. Its trapezoidal styling theme was later incorporated into Mercedes-Benz development work that led to the N 1000/N 1300 and later MB100 vans and light trucks.

• 1976

  Expansion into the Monteverdi Safari programStrategy

  Background

  Monteverdi's earlier High Speed volumes were lower than initially expected, while the Safari created a stronger production opportunity.

  Action taken

  Fissore provided bodywork for the Safari and expanded its manufacturing capabilities to support the program.

  Aftermath

  The additional work increased production demands and reinforced Monteverdi's financial and ownership role in Fissore.

  Source

• 1969

  Shift toward industrial production for MonteverdiStrategy

  Background

  The Monteverdi High Speed and later Safari programs created production volumes that exceeded Fissore's traditional artisan capacity.

  Action taken

  Fissore acquired presses and adopted more industrial body-manufacturing methods, with financial support from Monteverdi.

  Aftermath

  The relationship helped sustain the company during the 1970s but increased its dependence on Monteverdi, which ultimately took full ownership.

  Source

1. 1Carrozzeria Fissoreen.wikipedia.org