Cisitalia 303 DF Berlinetta 1953

Founded in 1939 by Piero Dusio to manufacture sports equipment, Cisitalia made a fortune making military uniforms during the Second World War. Passionate about motorsport, Dusio put this fortune at the service of his passion and built the first competition Cisitalia in 1946.

The following year, Cisitalia presented the very iconic 202 Gran Sport coupe which, with its elegant lines and smooth, enveloping bodywork, served as a model for all post-war Gran Turismos. Taking the first competition car as a basis, the 202 was expensive to produce, quickly leading to the creation of the 303 DF (DF for Fiat Derivative) on a Fiat 1100 E chassis, in order to reduce costs. But this was not enough to save Cisitalia, which had spent a fortune on its aborted Grand Prix single-seater project, so much so that production of the Tipo 303 ceased after 12 examples were built.

This very rare Cisitalia 303 DF, one of only eight known in existence, was acquired by the seller for his private museum in northern Italy in 2002. It is described as being in good, largely original condition. and performed very well in the Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti in which it participated in 2007. The car is sold with its Italian libretto and certificate of ownership, a copy of the estratto cronologico and its ASI certificate.

1953 Cisitalia 303 DF Berlinetta
Chassis no. 303 FN 00127
Engine no. 127

Founded in 1939 by Piero Dusio to manufacture sports equipment, Cisitalia amassed a fortune making military uniforms during WW2. A motor racing enthusiast, Dusio used his wealth to become involved with the sport he loved, building the first Cisitalia competition car in 1946.

The following year Cisitalia introduced the hugely influential 202 Gran Sport Coupé which, with its elegant lines and integrated all-enveloping coachwork, set the pattern for every Gran Turismo that followed. Based on that first competition car, the 202 was expensive to produce, prompting the introduction of the 303 DF (DF standing for 'Derived from FIAT'), which used the FIAT 1100E chassis to cut costs. Even this was not enough to save Cisitalia, which had spent a fortune on its abortive Grand Prix car project, and production of the Tipo 303 ceased after approximately 12 had been made.

One of only eight-or-so known today, this very rare Cisitalia 303 DF was purchased by the vendor for his private museum in Northern Italy in 2002. It is described as generally good and largely original condition, and performed well when it participated in the 'Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti' in 2007. The car is offered with Italian libretto, Certificato di Proprieta, copy of the Estratto Cronologico and ASI certificate.