The Myth of Italian Coachbuilders: Vignale

Alfredo Vignale was born into a family of artisans in Turin, where he learned the trade of metalworking at Farina's workshops from a young age, showing remarkable skill and dedication. Within a few years, he rose to lead the panel-beating department but harbored ambitions of starting his own coachbuilding business. Shortly after the end of World War II, in October 1946, he founded Carrozzeria Vignale & Co. at the age of 33.

His initial commissions came from Fiat and Lancia, but his most significant collaboration in the early years was with Piero Dusio and Cisitalia. Under the direction of Giovanni Savonuzzi, then technical director of the Italian brand, Vignale crafted the body for the 202 MM designed for the 1947 Mille Miglia, coinciding perfectly with Enzo Ferrari's establishment of his company in Maranello the same year.