The 10 Best Italian Cars Ever Made
It’s likely that when you think of Italy, you picture the scenery, food, architecture, and cars. Italy is well known in the automotive market for producing some of the best cars ever made. In the last 125 years, there is perhaps no other country in the world that has manufactured more aesthetically pleasing vehicles.
The Italian motor industry has produced some of the most recognizable automobile brands that have become fan favorites over the years. There are many vintage and modern Italian-made cars that are incredibly sought after. Italy has influenced the market tremendously, which is why many Italian car designs influence contemporary auto offerings in the present day.
Although there are plenty of noteworthy Italian-made cars from ingenious two-door roadsters, speedy coupes, and stunning supercars, some models stand apart from the rest. In this list, we will be taking a closer look at the best of the best. Each of the 10 Italian-made cars on our list deserves to be on it for their own unique reasons. Without further ado, let’s feast our eyes on the iconic Italian vehicle offerings.
1. Ferrari F40
When you think of Italian-made cars, the brand that first comes to mind is likely Ferrari. The Ferrari F40 is believed to be the best Ferrari model ever made because of its revolutionary technology and impressive performance specs, and aesthetically pleasing design. Another reason the Ferrari F40 is considered to be one of the best Italian cars ever made is that it was the last car commissioned by the legendary Enzo Ferrari before he died.
The Ferrari F40 is a rear-wheel sports car that was styled by Pininfarina and engineered by Nicola Materazzi. This model was produced from 1987 until 1992, and its race versions were manufactured between 1994 and 1996. It is believed that 1,315 units were manufactured during this time.
This two-seater Italian vehicle was aerodynamically designed for speed with carbon fiber, aluminum, and Kevlar paneling. It was equipped with a 2.9-liter V8 engine capable of producing 471 hp and 426 lb-ft.
The Ferrari F40 had a five-speed manual transmission with a reverse gear and a 31.7-gallon fuel tank. Additionally, this model was the fastest Ferrari at the time and could reach 62 mph in 4.7 seconds with an impressive top speed of 199 mph.
2. Lancia Stratos HF
The title for best rally car from the 1970s belongs to the Lancia Stratos HF. The Lancia Stratos HF is believed by many to be the first car to ever be developed solely for competing in the World Rally Championship. This Italian rally sports car impressively won the World Rally Championship in 1974, 1975, and 1976. It also won the prestigious Tour de France Automobile a whopping five times.
The Lancia Stratos HF was designed by Marcello Gandini from the prestigious design house Bertone. However, there were three other people heavily involved in this rally car’s production. These people were British racer and engineer Mike Parkes, Lancia team manager Cesare Fiorio, and factory rally driver Dandro Munari.
Due to its success, this vehicle was manufactured from 1973 until 1978, and it is estimated that 492 units were produced, with many people still seeking to attain one of these units. Unlike many other models, the Lancia Stratos HF inspired many companies to build replicas and provide kit cars for people to build themselves.
Additionally, this model featured a transverse mid-engine and was a rear-wheel drive. It was designed with a durable steel space frame and had an integral roll cage and a fiberglass body. The Lancia Stratos HF was equipped with a 2.4-liter engine and had a 5-speed manual transmission. Moreover, it could produce a hp rating of 190 and had a top speed of 147 mph.
3. Fiat 500 (1957 – 1975)
Although many Italian-made vehicles have an interesting history, there are perhaps none with a history quite like the Fiat 500’s. The Fiat 500 was the successor to the pre-World War II microcar, the Fiat 500 Topolino. This model was immensely popular and served as a utilitarian means of transportation for many after the war.
The Fiat 500 was built to provide people with a vehicle that could reliably handle basic commuting duties. This iconic vehicle was a small city car that Dante Giacosa designed. It quickly became popular for its affordability which is why from 1957 to 1975, an astonishing 3,893,294 units were produced.
There were many variations of the Fiat 500, including a two-door sedan, a two-door semi convertible, a three-door panel van, and a three-door estate. The original 1957 Fiat 500 was equipped with suicide doors, a rear engine, and a sunroof. This model was equipped with a 0.5-liter two-cylinder air-cooled engine capable of producing a hp rating of 18 and 22.1 lb-ft
4. Lamborghini Countach LP400
Another immensely popular vehicle that comes to mind when you think of Italian-made sportscars is the Lamborghini Countach LP400. This model is recognizable by its flamboyant styling, compact design, and striking features. Additionally, this vehicle is incredibly rare, which makes it sought after by vehicle collectors.
The Lamborghini Countach LP400 was designed by Marcello Gandini and featured a longitudinal engine layout. This model featured a distinctive panel geometry and wide shoulder scoops. Additionally, this model can be identified by its snoop nose stance, louver cowlings, and light clusters.
During its production years from 1974 to 1978, there were only 150 Lamborghini Countach LP400’s produced. Many believe that the design of this vehicle set the stage for many hypercar designs.
The LP400 was equipped with an impressive 4.0-liter V12 naturally aspirated engine capable of producing 375 hp with an rpm rating of 8,000. Unlike some of its competition at the time, this model could reach 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and had an astounding top speed of 196 mph.
5. Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Another notable Italian-made rally car is the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. This model quickly became a Group B icon and went on to win 46 World Rally Championships victories during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Modified versions of the HF Integrale won the Constructors Championship six times in a row between 1987 and 1992.
The Lancia Delta HF Integrale was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. This model featured a four-wheel-drive hot hatch design and was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine. From 1979 to 1994 there were 44,296 units produced.
This model was a front-wheel drive that had a five-speed transmission. Unlike other Integrale models, the Delta HF was equipped with a Garrett TBO 255 turbocharger, an air-to-air heat exchanger, a Marelli Microplex ignition, and a blow-through twin-choke Weber carburetor.
The Lancia Delta HF Integrale could produce a hp rating of 178, and it was able to reach 62 mph in 6.6 seconds. Additionally, this rally car had a top speed of 134 mph.
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6. Maserati 250F
One of the most iconic and legendary Formula One cars ever made was the Maserati 250F. The Maserati 250F model was driven by two exceptional formula one drivers; Sir Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio. This model featured in 46 Formula One championship races and won eight times, and is recognized as one of the rarest formula one vehicles.
The Maserati 250F was designed by the esteemed Giacchino Colombo, Alberto Massimino, and Valerio Colotti. Astonishingly there were only 26 units ever produced between 1954 to 1960 during its manufacturing years. The Maserati 250F had a distinctive and unique tubular convertible design. It had a wishbone independent front suspension system, drum brakes, a De Dion tube axle, and Pirelli Stella Bianca tires.
Additionally, the Maserati 250F was equipped with a 2.5-liter Maserati A6 straight-six front engine that was longitudinally mounted. The fuel used to run this car was interesting. The formula breakdown was 50% methanol, 35% petrol, 4%, 10% acetone, and 1% castor oil. Moreover, this memorable model had a hp rating of 270 and had a top speed of 180 mph.
7. Pagani Zonda C12
The Pagani Zonda C12 was the first car manufactured by Pagani Atelier, and its exotic design caught the eye of many supercar fans. Curiously, the Pagani Zonda C12 was fashioned after a fighter jet and featured a curved windshield, a sensual body shape, and a luxurious interior. The inside seats were designed in an inverted pyramid shape to wrap around the shoulders.
Unlike many supercar models at the time, the Pagani Zonda was not an all-aluminum lightweight construction. Instead, it was designed extensively with durable carbon fiber. Yet, besides its interesting construction, the Zonda C12 was impressive because of its carefully thought out interior and bodywork. As of 2019, only 140 models had been manufactured.
The Pagani Zonda C12 was equipped with a powerful 6.0-liter V12 Mercedes engine that produced 394 hp and 420 lb-ft. It featured a five-speed manual transmission and could reach 60 mph in 4.2 seconds flat. Additionally, the Zonda C12 had an impressive top speed of 297 mph which was quite an achievement for a 1999 car.
8. Lamborghini Miura
The Lamborghini brand has been a fan favorite Italian sports car manufacturer for decades. This brand frequently pushes the boundaries and evolves its vehicle designs to be more aerodynamic, eye-catching, and luxurious. That’s why it was unsurprising when the supercar, the Lamborghini Miura, was introduced with the first rear mid-engined two-seat layout design.
The Lamborghini Miura is another spectacular Italian-made vehicle designed by Marcello Gandini from Bertone. Interestingly, the idea of the Miura was originally devised by Lamborghini’s engineering team. This team went ahead and designed the memorable supercar in their spare time against the wishes of the company’s founder Ferruccio Lamborghini.
From 1966 to 1973, there were 764 Lamborghini Miura’s built. The Miura had many different versions, including the P400, the P400S, the P400 Jota, the P400 SV, the Roadster, the P400 SVJ Spider, and the P400SV/J. However, only the P400, P400S, and P400 SV were actually manufactured as the others were show cars.
The original Lamborghini Miura was a two-door coupe design with a five-speed manual transmission and a 4.0-liter V12 engine. With its V12 engine, this model could produce a hp rating of 385 and 295 lb-ft. Additionally, the Miura had a top speed of 180 mph and could reach 62 mph in 5.8 seconds.
9. Iso Grifo
It’s true that not many Italian cars have a distinctive American muscle design. Yet, the Iso Grifo is a rare Italian car that possesses a muscle look combined with impressive power. The Iso Grifo was created to compete with the many exceptional grand touring options from Maserati and Ferrari.
Interestingly, the Iso Grifo featured a series of American powertrains and components that were sourced from Ford and Chevrolet. With these foreign parts, this Italian car quickly became a muscle icon for the country.
The Iso Grifo was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro from Bertone and the mechanicals were done by Giotto Bizzarrini. Although this vehicle was popular, only 412 units were produced, making it a very rare car.
The original Iso Grifo was a limited production grand tourer equipped with a 5.4-liter Chevrolet V8 engine capable of producing 300 hp and 460 lb-ft. It had a top speed of 171 mph and could reach 60 mph in 6.1 seconds.
10. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
It’s unsurprising that one of the world’s first supercars was Italian-made. The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is not only incredibly rare but was also the fastest commercially available vehicle when it was introduced in 1969. Although it is incredibly difficult to lay one’s eyes upon this masterpiece, it can be seen in all its glory in the 1969 Italian film That Splendid November.
The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was designed by Franco Scaglione and built by Carrozzeria Marazzi, and only 18 units were produced between 1967 and 1969. The 33 Stradale was the first car to feature butterfly doors and was equipped with seamlessly curving windows. Additionally, each model was hand-built and thus differed slightly.
Not many know that the 33 Stradale was originally produced to provide racing car technology to the general public. However, this technology came at a cost as it was the most expensive car in 1968, which is likely why not many models were manufactured.
The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was a two-door coupe that had a rear mid-engine layout. It was equipped with a 2.0-liter V8 engine with a six-speed manual transmission. Additionally, according to performance records, the 33 Stradale could reach 62 mph in less than six seconds, and it had a top speed of 160 mph.
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