The Most Iconic Italian Cars Ever Built


The Most Iconic Italian Cars Ever Built


Italians Know How To Build A Pretty Car

The Italian automotive industry isn't necessarily known for producing practical cars, but they sure know how to design beautiful ones. It's home to some of the most sought-after car brands in the world, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. Say ciao to these 20 most iconic Italian cars ever built. 

Karim-Manjra-Ondrcgrqayc-Unsplash


1. Fiat 500

Nothing screams Italian quite like this little car. It was created as an affordable form of transportation in post-WWII Italy and just stuck around.

red Volkswagen Beetle hatchback on roadSean Whelan on Unsplash

2. Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider

This beauty, designed by Francesco Martinengo, was released in 1955. It had a panoramic windscreen inspired by American cars, but everything else, from the curvy lines to the minimalist interior, was quintessentially Italian.

File:Lancia Aurelia-B24-Spider Front-view.JPGLuc106 on Wikimedia

3. De Tomaso Pantera

The Pantera was a sports car produced by De Tomaso from 1971 to 1992. An early example of a supercar, it had an aggressive design and a top speed of 175 miles per hour.

File:De Tomaso Pantera (Sp 2014-06-15b).JPGLothar Spurzem on Wikimedia

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4. Ferrari 250 GTO

As far as iconic cars go, this is the holy grail. It was the most expensive car ever to be sold at auction, fetching a whopping $48 million in 2018.

File:Ferrari 250 GTO in 1962.pngFerrari on Wikimedia

5. Ferrari F40

The Ferrari F40 is the epitome of an 80s supercar. Its claimed top speed is an impressive 228 miles per hour, and it can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in four seconds.

File:Ferrari F50 Toulouse.jpgHandelsgeselschaft on Wikimedia

6. Lamborghini Countach LP 400

First released in 1974, this supercar paved the way for increasingly dynamic and aggressively designed Lamborghini that would become characteristic of the brand. Only about 150 of these babies were ever made, making them rare and expensive. 

File:Lamborghini Countach LP 400 Periscopio (1975) (52866218691).jpgCharles on Wikimedia

7. Lamborghini Miura 

The Miura was a trailblazer for high-powered sports cars everywhere when it was first released in 1966. In addition to its stunning design, it was also the world's fastest production car when it came out.

File:Lamborghini Miura (Kirchzarten) jm21313.jpgjoergens.mi on Wikimedia

8. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 

This gorgeous vehicle, characteristic for its voluptuous curves, was also the first car to have butterfly doors. Only 18 of them were made, making them highly coveted.

File:1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale.jpgedvvc on Wikimedia

9. Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Coupe

Perhaps the most exquisite coupe ever made, the Ferrari 275 is certainly a head-turner. With a top speed of 167 miles per hour, this sports car isn't just for looks. A total of 330 were made between 1966 and 1968, making them pretty rare, too.

File:1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Coupe (23672273965).jpgSicnag on Wikimedia

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10. Fiat 124 Spider

This cute convertible became one of the most successful Italian imports in the US. It was so popular there that from 1975 to 1981, it was produced only for the American market before being re-introduced to Europe in the 80s.

File:Fiat 124 Spider, 1,4 l, Bj. 1970 (2016-07-02 Sp).JPGLothar Spurzem on Wikimedia

11. Lancia Delta Integrale

This classic 80s rally car is notable for its boxy shape and incredible power. It won eight out of 11 rounds of the World Rally Championship when it was first introduced in 1987 and went on to win for three consecutive championships. 

File:Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione Stradale.jpgSalexx156 on Wikimedia

12. Pagani Zonda

This supercar looks straight out of the future with its curvaceous body and aerodynamic design utilizing plenty of carbon fiber. It has a powerful Mercedes-Benz-sourced V12 engine that can go speeds upwards of 200 miles per hour.

a race car on a roadEdoardo Giudici Saraval on Unsplash

13. Ferrari Enzo

The Ferrari bearing the founder's name is bound to be amazing. It was designed using Formula 1 technology, including a carbon fiber body and an F1-style transmission. Sure enough, Sports Car International magazine named it number three on their top sports cars of the 2000s list.

File:Ferrari Enzo Ferrari.JPGThomas doerfer on Wikimedia

14. Lancia Stratos HF

Looking for a rally car that screams 1970s? Look no further than the Lancia Stratos HF, winner of the World Rally Championship from 1974 to 1976 and five-time winner of the Tour de France Automobile. In addition to performance, its distinct, aggressive design is as eye-catching as they come.

File:Lancia Stratos HF 001.JPGTennen-Gas on Wikimedia

15. Maserati Ghibli Spyder

This foxy two-seater was built by Maserati from 1969 to 1973. The long nose and steep windshield made this car a class act but it was also powerful, housing a V8 engine with a top speed of 169 miles per hour.

File:Maserati Ghibli Spider (6806852594).jpgnakhon100 on Wikimedia

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16. Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS

In addition to being the cutest small sports car on the road, the Giulietta SS also featured some of the most revolutionary aerodynamics when it came out in 1957. It had the lowest drag of any car of the time making it exceptionally smooth and fun to drive. 

File:Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Touring 1957.jpgMarvin Raaijmakers on Wikimedia

17. Lamborghini Espada

This iconic four-seater produced from 1968 to 1978 was the longest-running Lamborghini model until the Countach in the 1980s. It was the perfect blend of the company's characteristic exotic styling, functionality, and power, ensured by its V12 engine. 

File:1972 Lamborghini Espada S2 LC23.jpgMrWalkr on Wikimedia

18. Ferrari 330 GTC

This stunner was one of Ferrari's best grand touring cars of the 1960s. Its elegant design is matched by a high-performing V12 engine that boasts power as well as smooth handling. Only 600 were made, making this car highly coveted by auto collectors everywhere. 

File:Ferrari 330 GTC, Grand Basel 2018 (Ank kumar, Infosys) 04.jpgAnk Kumar on Wikimedia

19. ISO Grifo

Built to compete with the Maseratis and Ferraris of the time, the ISO Grifo understood its assignment. Its spunky V8 Chevrolet engine gives it the character of an American muscle car while maintaining the sophistication of Italian craftsmanship. 

File:1966 Iso Grifo GL 350 LC24.jpgMrWalkr on Wikimedia

20. De Tomaso Vallelunga

Another small Italian sports car to add to the catalogue, the De Tomaso Vallelunga featured parts from Ford, Volkswagen, and Renault: a wacky design that just worked. It was De Tomaso's first production road car celebrated for its super lightweight, innovative design.

File:Gaisbergrennen 2009 Bergfahrt 142.jpgUser:MatthiasKabel on Wikimedia




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