A laudable example of Italian coachbuilt cars from the 1950s, the Fiat 1100 TV Desirée Coupé is an extremely rare model packed full of charm.

This special-edition Fiat features bodywork built by Vignale and designed by Giovanni Michelotti, a prolific mid-century Italian designer, who penned numerous iconic cars, including the BMW 2002, Ferrari 365 GTB/4, Maserati 3500 GT, Triumph Spitfire, and many others.

The Fiat 1100 TV Coupé is aptly named “Desirée” for its desirable “Turismo Veloce” or “TV” specification.

As such, it features a 1.1-liter, overhead valve, four-cylinder engine fed by a Weber 36 DCL D3 carburetor, factory rated to produce 49 horsepower, roughly 15 horsepower more than a standard Fiat 1100.

Wearing black paint over a two-tone tan and olive green interior, this example was originally delivered to an individual in Genoa, Italy, according to its stamped Italian libretto registration booklet.

Notably, the car remained under the care of a subsequent owner for six deca...