The phrase “Handbuilt sports car” covers a lot of territory, from garage-built kit cars to mega-buck exotics. The origins and sticker price of the Fitch Phoenix might suggest it belonged in the former category—that is, until you see it. One look at its curvaceous coachwork, designed by John Fitch, styled by Coby Whitmore, and crafted out of steel by Carrozzeria Intermeccanica in Italy will erase any thought of kits. An elegantly crafted, thoroughly engineered sports car, the Fitch Phoenix surely would have spawned an enthusiastic following—had it not been undermined by Washington bureaucracy and Detroit timidity. As it happened, only one Fitch Phoenix was built, and stands as a reminder to what could have—should have—been. The Fitch Phoenix is a classic example of the “whole” exceeding the sum of its parts. In this case, many of those parts—including the powertrain, suspension and brakes—were sourced from Chevrolet’s innovative but controversial Corvair. But the purpose-built chassis—which rode on a 13-inch shorter, 95-inch wheelbase and weighed dramatically less than the Corvair’s—yielded true sports car performance to match its graceful shape. Handling refinement benefited greatly from Fitch’s extensive racing experience—which included drives for Mercedes at Le Mans teamed with Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, stints for Briggs Cunningham, victories in the Mille Miglia and Sebring, as well as managing the very first Corvette racing team. Car & Driver compared the Phoenix’s handling to that of Porsche, and declared its straight-line prowess on par with Pontiac’s GTO. Its interior featured luxury appointments and craftsmanship to match any contemporary factory effort. Not bad for a machine assembled in the woods of Northwest Connecticut! Sadly, GM axed the Corvair just as Fitch was ramping up for a production run of 500 units. Without the engine and suspension bits, the Phoenix project was stuck in neutral and eventually mothballed. John Fitch still owned—and enthusiastically drives—the lone prototype until his passing in 2012 at age 95.
Automodello™ has established a tradition of celebrating the entrepreneurship of men like John Fitch and the rare and exceptional machines their innovation brings to the automotive landscape. The Fitch Phoenix deserved the praise it garnered at its introduction and the admiration it inspires even today. It is a perfect candidate to join Automodello’s line of precision-crafted 1:43 scale replicas. Automodello’s commitment to authenticity demands that this model not only meet the standards of the most discerning collector, but of the designer of the original Phoenix himself. We did not rest until we earned John Fitch’s enthusiastic approval, and his signature appears on each certificate of authenticity.
- 192 Founders Edition in Tobacco Brown hand-signed by John Fitch
- Availability: Retired
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