Vignale Gamine History

The Vignale Gamine was a tiny open two-seater built on the Fiat 500F floorpan and launched in 1967, styled by Alfredo Vignale himself. Its deliberately retro lines evoked the 1930s Fiat 508 Balilla Coppa d'Oro — a stark contrast to the space-age design fashion of the late 1960s.

Powered by the 500F's 499.5 cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine (roughly 18 hp), the Gamine was not quick, but it was light and impeccably built. A removable hardtop was offered at extra cost and is now considered rare. An initial order came from Osvaldo Geminiani of Monaco, who secured distribution rights, and roughly 2,000 Gamines were produced across the model's run through 1971.

The Gamine outlasted its founder: Alfredo Vignale died in a car accident on 16 November 1969, after which De Tomaso acquired the carrozzeria. Production of the Gamine continued briefly under that ownership before ending in 1971.