After the war Antonio withdrew from the company, but Giuseppe continued alone until he passed away in 1954. At that point
Alfredo Caracciolo took control, a few years later he moved the company to Borgo San Pietro di Moncalieri. In the following years the
company diversified and created a prototype section, and later a special resins department.
They became more closely connected with Fiat around this time, and produced the 1400B saloon, 1200 Sport, 2300S Coupe and 600D Polis.
In 1965 they released the Fiat 600 based 'Jungla', later evolving into
a 126 based model. Prototypes were also built, such as the 125 based Coupé
and estate which were shown at the 1969 Turin Motorshow.
Notable amongst their relatively recent products is the Lancia Delta S4, for which Savio made the body.
The company still exists today and is divided into three parts, the prototype area, making functional prototypes, the
series production area, producing runs of special vehicles such as ambulances, and the resin area, undertaking research, development and production
of the special materials.
Another
Turin based company mostly known for making bodies for Fiat cars, Savio
was founded in 1919 by the two Savio brothers, Antonio and Giuseppe. Having learnt their trade working for Alessio, they started
in Via Tiziano 38 by completing 600 bodies for Itala chassis for their previous employer. Another early project was a four door saloon
built on a Ceirano chassis, the first use of the silent-bloc system. They
went on to make bodies for numerous manufacturers (including Itala, OM, Isotta Fraschini, Ansaldo, Chiribiri,
Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia) as well as for other carrozzeria (including Garavini, Farina, Boneschi and Ghia).
600 Jungla
Based
on the Fiat 600, the Jungla was a utilitarian jeep-like vehicle designed
for work, not pleasure. It was first shown at the Turin Motorshow in 1965,
entered production in the following year and continued to be built until
1974. In that time several thousand were built.
Characterised by it's spartan fittings, it used
the 600 mechanicals with little change, a rear-mounted, water-cooled 767cc
engine driving the rear wheels. Drum brakes all round were hidden by wheels
from the Fiat 1100. Later, when the 600 ceased production in Italy it used
the similar engine from the Seat 600E from Spain. The controls were also
from the 600, whilst the instrumentation was from the 500. A fuel guage
was not fitted, merely a warning light for the reserve.
A soft-top was available, as were cloth doors (which
had plastic windows). The spartanism continued to the single windscreen-wiper (drivers-side only).
Interestingly, although it was produced by Savio,
the project actually came from within Fiat's Engineering department.
A total of about 3200 were built.
 |
 |
126 Jungla
Released in 1975, the 126 Jungla was the spiritual
successor of the above mentioned 600 Jungla, now based on the Fiat 126.
The wheelbase and mechanicals remained the same as the production Fiat
whilst an all new body was fitted. The latter included a fixed roll-over
hoop and a folding windscreen. A complete folding-top was available. It
weighed 620kg and had the following dimensions : length 3025mm, width 1385mm.
 |
 |
Albarella
The Turin Motorshow of 1968 saw a new 'off-roader'
displayed by Savio featuring wicker seats and a nose-mounted spare-wheel.
Based on the mechanicals of the Fiat 500 it had a total length of only
3000mm and weighed a mere 490kg. Low volume production was undertaken.
Fiat 850 based cars
This pretty little two seat spider was first shown by Savio at the 1964 Turin Motorshow. Based on the normal 850 mechanicals,
it was built to order.
Fiat 124 based cars
Using the mechanicals of the Fiat 124, Savio offered
a 2+2 coupe at the 1968 Turin Motorshow (below left). Standard fit included a Nardi
steering-wheel, alloy wheels by Fergat and a revcounter. Along the lines of the quite successful Jungla, Savio also proposed a similar
vehicle using the Fiat 124 mechanicals. Presented at the 1966 Turin Motorshow it was called the Savana (below right).
 |
 |
Fiat 125 based cars
The Turin Motorshow of 1967 saw Savio displaying
a 2+2 coupe based on the 125 (below left). At the same show one year later
Savio constructed a type of sporting-estate or hatchback on the same mechanicals
(below right).
 |
 |
Fiat 128 based cars
At the 1969 Turin Motorshow Savio showed a coupé based on the
Fiat 128. A 2+2 with alloy wheels it also featured a hand stitched fake-leather interior and Fiat 124 Sport instruments.
Fiat 1600S based cars
In 1963 Savio proposed a coupe based on the 1600S
(below left). The 1964 Turin Motorshow saw another strange coupe (below
right) on the Savio stand. Again based on the 1600S mechanicals it was offered for sale.
 |
 |
Fiat 2300 based cars
Emerging in 1963, this coupe used the mechanicals
of the Fiat 2300 with a new bodystyle and a comprehensive level of equipment,
including a leather interior, electric windows, luxurious fittings and
special instrumentation.
More recent products
In recent years Savio have proposed, and in some cases produced limited numbers of, cars based on various
modern Fiats, including the Panda (below left) and Uno (below right).
 |
 |
If you know of any links relevant to Savio please send them in. Thanks.
Comment form
Copyright © 2000 to 2008 CarsfromItaly
Use
the buttons at the top to navigate further, or