Cisitalia 202: The Supercar That Started It All

First Forgotten - In the world of classic cars, few things are more exciting than stumbling upon a forgotten gem—especially one that once stood toe-to-toe with giants but somehow slipped through the cracks of time. While names like Ferrari and Maserati have long dominated automotive lore, there was another Italian contender that once shone just as brightly, if only for a brief, brilliant moment. Its name? Cisitalia 202.

1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta. (Picture from: Supercars)

Born out of post-World War II ambition, the Cisitalia 202 wasn’t just another stylish European coupe—it was a revolution on wheels. The brainchild of Piero Dusio, an Italian industrialist with a serious passion for motorsports, the 202 was a bold attempt to channel racing DNA into a car that could gracefully cruise public roads. Dusio wasn’t just dabbling; he had already established a racing company, and now he wanted to translate that expertise into something even more daring.

1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta while sat on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. (Picture from: TruthAboutCars)

What rolled out of the modest Cisitalia workshop in 1946 wasn’t merely impressive—it was breathtaking. The 202 defied conventions of its time with a flowing, sculpted body that seemed more like a moving sculpture than a machine. Its design was far ahead of its era, an effortless blend of elegance and aerodynamics that stunned the automotive world. This wasn’t just a car; it was art. In fact, the Museum of Modern Art in New York thought so too—they acquired a Cisitalia 202 for display, cementing its place as a cultural and design milestone.

Right side view of 1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta. (Picture from: Supercars)

Behind its curvaceous form was an equally impressive pedigree of talent. Legendary figures like Carlo Abarth, Dante Giacosa, and Giovanni Savonuzzi lent their skills to the development of the car, each bringing something special to the table. The result was a range of 202 variants, all hand-built with meticulous care. Each car was unique, yet unmistakably Cisitalia—defined by elegant lines, twin windscreens, and often cloaked in a striking Italian red.

Rear view of 1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta. (Picture from: TruthAboutCars)

Powering the 202 was a reworked Fiat inline-four engine, modest by today’s standards, but finely tuned to deliver a driving experience that felt light, responsive, and surprisingly refined. It wasn’t about raw speed—it was about balance, poise, and the joy of the journey. This was grand touring in its purest form. 

Left rear side view of 1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta. (Picture from: TruthAboutCars)

Despite its innovation and beauty, the Cisitalia 202 was doomed by harsh financial realities. As impressive as the car was, Cisitalia was a small operation without the deep pockets needed to compete long-term. Just 170 units were ever produced before the company was forced to shut down its car production in the early 1950s. It was a short-lived chapter, but one that left a lasting impression. 

Today, the Cisitalia 202 stands as a captivating “what if” in automotive history. What if it had continued? What if it had received the backing it needed to flourish? It’s tempting to imagine a world where Cisitalia became as famous as Ferrari. While that future never came to pass, the legacy of the 202 lives on—not just in museums or private collections, but in the DNA of every beautiful, high-performance car that came after.

It may have vanished from production lines decades ago, but the Cisitalia 202 hasn’t faded from memory. Instead, it remains frozen in time, a rare and elegant reminder that greatness sometimes shines brightest in the shortest bursts. *** [EKA [03092016][21032022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | MOMA.ORG | TRUTHABOUTCARS ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.