An alternative to many of the smaller models produced by Fiat the 128 is a car designed for families. Launched in 1969 the 128 would be produced until 1985. Though the overall look and styling of the car was quite similar to both the Fiat 124 and Fiat 125, the 128 was both influential and seen to have an advanced design because it was a pioneer in the front wheel drive design revolutionized by Fiat. Like the Mini, the 128 had a transverse mounted engine, though the main breakthrough for the car was the use of drive shafts that were unequal in length. The unequal drive shafts allowed the gearbox and the engine to be located next to each other; a layout that would continue to be popular with small cars after the Fiat 128 was launched.
When the Fiat 127 first appeared in the Italian marketplace in 1971 it was replacing the popular 850 model. The Fiat 127 would be produced until 1983 when it was supplanted by the new Fiat Uno. Originally the 127 was only available as a two-door it would later be produced as a three-door hatchback as well. The hatchback was similar to the original in style, but featured folding seats and a deep rear door--the first supermini hatchback ever to roll off a Fiat manufacturing line.
The Fiat 600 (Seicento in Italian) is a city car first built by the Italian car manufacturer Fiat in 1955. Production of the 600, the first rear engine car of its time, continued until 1969. When it was first launched the diminutive 600 (it was originally only 3.22 meters long!) cost approximately 590,000 lira or 6700 Euro. Between 1955 and 1969, 6,604,000 Fiat 600s were built at what is now Fiat's Mirafiori plant. During the 60s, 70s and the 80s, the 600 also became very popular in Spain and where it was known as the SEAT 600 and a veritable cultural icon.
The "Ape," (pronounced 'A-pay') which literally translates into the "Bee," is an innovative mini truck on three wheels. Piaggio produced it for the Italian market, targeting workers and small contractors in need of carrying heavy weights but not willing to invest money on a big truck or simply not having enough space for operating. The Ape made its first appearance in 1948 and basically is a Vespa (moped) with a large square trunk and a cabin. Both Vespa (wasp) and Ape have two-stroke engines that create a characteristic buzz that recalls those of a wasp and a bee, hence their names.
Topolino or "Little Mouse" is the nickname given to the Fiat 500, which was the smallest car in the world when it was first produced in 1937. The last 500 came off the line in 1975, and today the tiny machines have become instantly recognizable symbols of Italy.
In 1964 Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo introduced a range of small cars: the Giulia 1300, 1300TI and the 1300 Super. These three versions of the Giulia all came in a four-door design and a version of a twin-cam 1290 cc engine. The cars came with five-speed transmission and front disc brakes with the TI having more power at 82bhp. Between 1964 and 1972 over a quarter of a million Giulia 1300s were manufactured.
The Lancia Flavia was a medium-sized luxury car first launched at the Turin Motor Show in 1960 with a 1500 cc engine. The car was manufactured by Lancia and by 1961 would be introduced into all major European markets. The Cabriolet and Coupe versions, developed by Pininfarina, were also soon introduced along with a few specials like the Zagato Coupe, which was quite eye catching.
The Fiat 850 is a small rear wheel drive car with a rear engine, which was produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1964 to 1973. At the time the car was first launched, Fiat was already a largely popular car maker with successful models in Italy and other parts of the world.
Fiat 126 is a small city car that was first been launched in 1972 at the Turin Motor Show. The highly popular Fiat 500 was replaced by the Fiat 126. Later on the Fiat 126 was replaced by the Fiat Cinquecento, which was a front engine, in 1993. The 126 was produced in Poland as the Polski Fiat 126p until the year 2000.
At the 1963 Geneva Motor Show the Italian car manufacturer Lancia introduced the Fulvia, a model they would produce until 1976. Fulvia cars are well known in automobile history and won the International Rally Championship in 1972. While testing this car and its engine in 1967 Road & Track magazine described the car as being a precise machine with state of the art engineering.
Faralli Restauri is the atelier that restored the 1957 Maserati 450S Costin-Zagato raced by Stirling Moss at Le Mans along with other classic Italian cars. Today the tradition of excellence continues under the artful management of Walter Faralli, the son of Antonio “Mario” Faralli and Luca Mazzanti, the son of Faralli’s master painter, Rossello Mazzanti.
One listen to the Ferrari 458 Italia’ s exciting, powerful growl that revs the engine as it emerges from the three rear exhaust tailpipes won’t fully prepare you for the latest spin of the design genius behind the marque of the “Prancing Horse.” In the Ferrari 458 Italia, the designers at Maranello facility have elevated this distinctive new car to its 8-cylinder range. The result is a head-turning departure for mid-rear engined sports cars; moving it to a new level of creative flair.
Computer technology has made a dramatic impact on the auto industry; in the past 10 years the integration of computer chips in many of the features related to safety as well as creature comforts has tripled from the previous decade. Now in addition to the functionality of the car itself, technology is being used to enhance the driving skills as well as the ability to communicate via telephone without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.
Many of the Italian cars that are driven today have their origins in the concept or prototype cars of the past. “Supercars” are most definitely the most spectacular in design, defying convention in many case with the objective of unveiling the extreme possibilities of automotive design. Truly the supercar is a fine example of fantasy on four wheels, with many of the most outstanding Italian designers establishing their reputations with innovations in the form and function of these vehicles.
If you are an aficionado of Italian cars, more than likely you have seen the “Superleggera” (meaning “super light weight” in Italian) badge under the marque of many fine vehicles. The credit for this distinguishing label goes to the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera coach building company.
More than a logo, in actuality, it is a trademark. The company acquired a patent for the “Superleggera” construction system that consists of a structure, which is made up of thin steel tubes that forms the body’s shape. For additional strength hand-hammered alloy panels are used to cover the framework.
The Lancia marque launched the luxury model Flaminia with a powerful 2,458 cc V-6 engine in 1957. In keeping with the Lancia tradition of naming individual models after Roman roads, the Flaminia was named after “Via Flaminia,” the road leading from Rome to Rimini.
The design artistry of the Italian automotive coachbuilders and manufacturers has gained worldwide recognition for outstanding quality and superior performance on the highway and the racetrack for over 100 years. These masters of auto body design and engineering include Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati and Fiat, just for starters. But for many car enthusiasts, the name Alfa Romeo is the first that comes to mind as one definition of the essence of fine Italian car making.
In simple terms, the Fornasari RR600 is a sports car disguised as a SUV. But in many ways, the innovative engineers at Fornasari appear to have taken a second look at the design Ford and De Tomaso developed with the Pantera; combining European design with the power of a North-American engine.
"The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is dedicated to those people for whom Ferrari's great V12 engined sports cars hold a special appeal. To those who truly appreciate the pleasure of driving both on and off the track with that special sense of freedom that only a roadster can give.
In September 2009, the Italian car maker Abarth chose to debut their latest model at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" is the new performance version of the Abarth 500. This car displays the connection between Ferrari and Abarth and confirms that both of these car makers have compatible values in terms of the definitive style of Italian design and superior performance.
