Manzù’s research into new appliances and technical solutions, which began with the City Taxi, was paralleled by his studies of sports cars. He developed two projects that both went as far as constructing complete models but without the mechanicals.
The Autobianchi stand at the 1968 Turin Motor Show exhibited the study for a car with two-door coachwork and a centrally mounted engine. This was the Autobianchi Coupe with a polyester body, distinguished from the second study, called Autobianchi 111, by certain details in the design of the body, divided in both cases into four different sections: the first included the radiator, headlights, and battery; the second the luggage compartment under the hood in front; the third contained the cabin; and the fourth section housed the engine, the principal mechanicals, and the fuel tank.
The care shown in the choice of the materials used for the body was not the only outstanding feature of the two cars. Both the 111 and the Coupe re-launched the idea for a sports car that could be produced cheaply, with an attractively designed body and a rational yet forward-looking interior treatment.
Source: Enrico Leonardo Fagone - autodesign.socialblog.us
Images: www.piomanzu.it; www.manzonidesign.com
