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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Handelsgeselschaft 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Edoardo 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.
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.
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.
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.
Marvin 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.
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.
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.
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.
