Superleggera
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Superleggera, also called tube-frame, is an automobile construction technology used in classic sports cars from the middle of the 20th Century. The name means "super light" in Italian, and was coined in 1937 by the Italian coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring. Unlike the monocoque and body-on-frame methods widely adopted by the 1950s, superleggera cars use a network of thin metal tubes as a full-body frame. These are then covered with metal body panels, often made of exotic lightweight materials like aluminium or magnesium alloys. This construction technique is no longer used in volume production cars today, but is still found in low-volume and hand-built sports models.
Superleggera frame tubes are too small and of unsuitable material for mounting suspension components. This distinguishes it very clearly from spaceframe construction where no separate chassis is required.
Notable superleggera models include:
- Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Mille Miglia
- Aston Martin DB4 and DB5
- Pegaso Z-102
- Most pre-1970 Ferraris
- Lamborghini 350GTV
- Lancia Flaminia Convertible
- BMW 328 Touring Roadster
- Creative Workshop Sport Speciale[1]
 Example of a Superleggera frame being designed and constructed. The interlacing wires are called a "Manichino" - and is used to determine the shape of the outer body. This image is of the Creative Workshop Sport Speciale being constructed. |
 Example of a Superleggera frame being wrapped in aluminum. This image is of the Creative Workshop Sport Speciale being constructed. |
