Touring Superleggera, a company whose history is intertwined with that of motoring itself, has been designing and hand-building unique cars or limited editions for the most demanding of clients since 1926.
For the 1938 24 Hours of Le Mans, Alfa Romeo entrusted its car to Touring, who designed a body so aerodynamic that the car managed to reach 150 mph. Since then, Touring bodywork has dressed more of the winning cars in major competitions than any other builder.
In 1927, Touring patented a revolutionary method of construction that went far beyond the traditional wooden frames of the time. Christening it “Superleggera” (super light), it consisted of a robust network of thin tubes around which aluminium panels could be moulded.
The first “Barchetta”
The first Ferrari 166MM, presented at the 1948 Turin Motor Show, was unlike anything ever seen. Unusually, its widest breadth was at the haunches, with the sides gently descending inwards, like a speedboat. “It’s not a car, it’s a boat!” exclaimed renowned Italian automotive journalist Giovanni Canestrini upon seeing it. In the 1950s and 60s, thanks to the collaboration with Touring, Ferrari dominated in every race, above all the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Movie cars
In 1963, James Bond’s famous Aston Martin DB5 was produced by the Milanese body shop, instantly becoming one of the most recognisable and desirable collector’s vehicles in the world. Aston Martin recently produced 25 cars identical to the original, complete with revolving number plates and all the infamous tricks, and put them on the market at £2.7 million.
Touring Superleggera today
With this vast heritage behind them, today the Touring artisans concentrate on producing limited edition pieces. Hand-wrought aluminium panels and hi-tech composite moulding are combined to provide a unique service to clients.
New and even lighter materials, such as carbon, are also employed. The Sciadipersia Cabrio )is constructed entirely by hand at the Touring factory in Milan, fusing traditional hand-wrought aluminium panels with lightweight carbon fiber elements. State-of-the-art digital measuring instruments are used at every stage, from panel fabrication to finished vehicle, to conform the brand’s exacting quality standards.
The Cabriolet and Coupé versions perfectly recreate and represent the luxury and elegance of the Golden Age of Motoring.
