Carrozzeria Frua is perhaps best known for its design of the Maserati A6G in the Fifties, but the coachbuilder’s first work of art was the Fiat 1100 Frua Barchetta. Heading to 2017 Hampton Court Concours of Elegance, the low-slung Barchetta will be featured at the Hampton Court Palace on 1-3 September.
Finished in 1946, the Fiat 1100 — a world away from the staid saloon car that left the Fiat factory — was first sold to Luigi Critterio on the 3 September, before being bought by Gino Bubbolini 25 days later. In 1947 it was shown at the Villa d’Este Concours, winning a Second Prize of Merit in the process.
Following a number of ownership changes, including one single owner for 33 years, it was bought by its current holder in 2015. Then painted red, the 1100 Frua Barchetta was taken to Carrozzeria Gatti Luciano to be restored to its original specification and colour scheme. Freshly restored, the 1100 Barchetta will sit alongside some of Frua’s later work in Hampton Court Gardens.
Concours of Elegance Director, James Brooks-Ward, said: “We celebrate cars as art at Concours of Elegance; those models that are so beautiful that they almost become timeless. The Frua Barchetta certainly falls into that camp, looking as fresh today as it did when it became the first car to emerge from Carrozzeria Frua 71 years ago. It’s an absolute masterpiece, and just one of the many amazing cars set to appear at the Concours this year.”
The 2017 Concours of Elegance takes place at Hampton Court Palace from 1-3 September. Tickets start from £25 with concessions from £17.50. Children under five and carers can enter free of charge. Members of the public also have the opportunity to attend on Friday 1st September, a day normally reserved for the Owners of the main Concours cars.
For further information, visit ConcoursofElegance.co.uk/.
[Source: Concours of Elegance]
