"Frixos Demetriou was a successful casino owner in Cyprus and the owner of the Olympic Gaming Club in London. While in Milan his flight to Athens was diverted, he spotted an unusual looking car by the airport and on enquiry discovered that it was a Fiat 500 Gamine Vignale. The Gamine was a small two-seater roadster produced by Carozzeria Vignale from 1967 to 1971, based on the Fiat 500 platform using the two-cylinder air cooled engine from the 500 Sport. Demetriou was looking to diversify his business interests and sensing an opportunity he returned via Turin, securing the rights to sell Vignale products in the UK. He bought 200 cars upfront, paying with cash, and committed to buy the next six months production if Vignale would manufacture the car in right hand drive form. The Gamine two-seater was well received, becoming trendy with the Chelsea set - even nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow owned one.
This superb right hand drive Fiat is the very rare and desirable Gamine model coachbuilt by Vignale. Acquired by the current vendor in 2015 who set about an extensive, no expense spared, restoration. Included in the restoration was a comprehensive engine and synchronised gearbox rebuild, as well as new interior, chromework and an extensive respray. Resplendent in bright red coachwork, the condition of this example is excellent, the paintwork is wonderful as is the interior and the engine bay. Reported by the vendor to run and drive very well indeed, this Gamine is used occasionally on high days and holidays and is huge amounts of fun. Supplied with full wet weather gear, a V5C registration document and sundry invoices, this Gamine is ready to be enjoyed immediately by its new custodian.
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