Italia Cisitalia GP child's car

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This beautifully made, child’s petrol-powered racing car was produced in the immediate Post-War period as a copy of the Cisitalia GP car which was the brainchild of Piero Dusio and Ferry Porsche.

The fascinating story of its build and how it arrived on these shores is laid out below in a direct transcript of a  letter from Harry Webster, then Managing Director of Triumph, who found it and brought it home for his children to enjoy, the car remaining within the family until very recently. A copy of this letter accompanies this miniaturised engineering masterpiece.

“Towards the end of the 1950’s shortly after Giovanni Michelotti had ceased working for Vignale and set up on his own, he was commissioned by a titled Italian Lady (thought to be a Countess) to build a half-scale model of the then popular Italian racing car the Italia.

In all aspects accept the engine and gearbox the car is half-full scale and the engine and gearbox being Anzani.

It was apparently used by the Italian Lady’s children until they outgrew it at which time she sent it back to Michelotti for him to sell.

On one of the writer's frequent visits to Michelotti in the late 60’s the model was spotted in a corner of Michelotti’s model making shop and upon enquiry was said to be for sale at the equivalent asking price in Lira of £125.

The writer immediately purchased the model Italia and it was brought by road transport (Gondrand was the shipper) home in a large crate which has subsequently been used as its garage.”

Harry Webster, November 1990

In good, unrestored condition, the quality of its build is apparent at first glance. Whether it was Vignale or Cisitalia themselves who made it is not known, although one other example is known to exist having changed hands for a significant sum at auction in the recent past mistakenly identified as a Ferrari. The wooden crate referred to in the letter has sadly not survived.

Its early Michelotti history and stunning looks are more than enough for any serious collector to crave it for their display, let alone its subsequent fascinating link to Harry Webster and Triumph’s critical relationship with one of Italy’s finest coachbuilders and designers – Giovanni Michelotti.