Think of the work of Italian carrozzerie in the 1950s and many images may flit across one's mind, but a wood-panelled station wagon is unlikely to be among them. It was a style pioneered post-war by Carrozzeria Viotti of Turin, a company which drew inspiration from across the Atlantic while remaining distinctly Italian.
Viotti was one of the first coachbuilders in Italy to establish a proper production line and, between 1933 and 1939, supplied bodies for thousands of Fiats while also undertaking one-off commissions on exotic chassis. A coupé body, with fins, which Viotti essayed on an Isotta-Fraschini chassis in the 1930s was enormously influential.
Viotti's factory was destroyed by Allied bombing during the War and, from 1946 it was a niche supplier though it remained a constant source of new ideas. In 1946 it build a wood-panelled station wagon on a Fiat chassis and, in 1950, Fiat bought Viotti so it would have first call on its services as a consultant. Viotti made styling studies for Fiat until 1964.
Fiat did allow Viotti, however, to continue to make hand-built bodies on other chassis and they created 47 stations wagons on a Lancia Aurelia base of which this car is one of two survivors. The ‘Giardinetta’ name was in fact patented by Viotti.
The Lancia Aurelia was the most advanced production car of its day and the long chassis B53 had the 70 bhp, 2-litre version of Lancia's ground-breaking V6 engine which drove through an all-synchromesh 4-speed transaxle.
This car was found in a field in Sardinia and, though it had been neglected, it was complete. It therefore remains remarkably original despite having undergone a full restoration by KCA of Milan. A detailed account of this project accompanies the car which went on to win several Concours d'Elegance including the ASI event in 1990. As with any great restoration it is the detail that counts and this 'Giardinetta' even comes complete with restored 1950s wooden skis and poles.
Its rarity has caused it to be the subject of many magazine articles and to be invited to be displayed at many events, including the Geneva Motor Show.
The next owner of this ultra rare Lancia will enjoy the dynamics of an Aurelia, the versatility of a station wagon and the pleasure of owning one of only two such cars in existence.
It comes with sundry paperwork, including Italian registration, ASI homologation (no. 5014), Lancia Register homologation (no. 542), a full history of its restoration and a number of trophies which it won after it was restored. A car which is likely to enthuse even the most jaded collectors’ palate.


Viotti fabriqua à l’époque 47 break sur base de châssis Lancia Aurelia. L’exemplaire que nous proposons aujourd’hui est seulement l’un des deux modéles restant à ce jour. Cette voiture fut découverte dans un champ en Sardaigne dans un piteux état mais complète. Elle a ensuite bénéficié d’une restauration complète par KCA (dossier disponible) qui lui permit de remporter de nombreux Concours d’Elégance y compris l’évènement organisé par l’A.S.I. en 1990. Comme toute bonne restauration, chaque détail compte, en l’occurrence, cette Giardinetta est même présentée avec des skis et des bâtons en bois d’époque! Sa rareté lui a permis de figurer dans de nombreux articles et d’être invitée dans divers shows dont le Salon de Genève. Le futur acquéreur appréciera le dynamisme d’une Lancia Aurelia, l’habitabilité d’un break et le plaisir de posséder l’un des deux seuls modèles existant au monde.
Cette voiture sera livrée des factures d’entretien, ses documents d’immatriculation italiens, son homologation A.S.I. (no.5014), l’histoire de sa restauration et les trophées remportés ensuite.