The 9 Best Italian Classic Cars of All Time

There are more Italian classic cars than you can shake a stick at. But which are the greatest? Here's our 9 favourites...

Lamborghini Miura

In 1960, Ferruccio Lamborghini set himself the challenge of beating Ferrari. In 1966, the Miura was born.

Talk about off-the-charts influential. The Miura was the world’s first supercar, and the fastest car of its day. 

The mid-engine, two-seat layout also became the standard for future supercars.

And boy, did the V-12 sing, all the way up to 9,800rpm. 

Classic fact: The Miura is named after a Spanish breed of bull – the same bull on Lamborghini's legendary logo.

Fiat 500

The little Cinquecento is one of the best-selling cars ever made.

Launched in 1957 with a 500cc engine (hence the name), this toy-like marvel became a city favourite – not least because of its parking prowess.

It became a giant-slayer, selling almost 3.9 million in two decades.

50 years later, in 2007, Fiat unveiled the 500’s successor. Sales to date are well over 2.1 million.

Classic fact: A 1969 Fiat 500 once circumnavigated the globe in 99 days, driving 21,750 miles.

Ferrari F40

If you asked someone to draw a supercar from memory, it would probably look like the F40.

Built in 1987 to mark the Prancing Horse’s 40th anniversary, its now iconic silhouette was a product of Pininfarina.

The ultra-light frame and twin-turbo V8 engine made it the first road car to break the 200mph barrier.

It was also the last Ferrari approved by Enzo himself, thereby securing its legendary status.

Classic fact: To reduce its weight, the F40 was stripped of carpets, glove box, leather trim and even door handles.

Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione II

The name is a mouthful, but the final homologation of Lancia’s rally legend is a total boss.

The Delta HF burst onto the World Rally Championship like a force of nature, winning the constructors' title six times in a row (1987 to 1992).

To celebrate, Lancia unleashed the ‘Evo II’ in 1993 as the crowning evolution of its rally-conquering king.

Classic fact: The Evo II has some rare editions: the Verde York, the Martini 5 and 6; Blu Lagos; Bianco Perlato; Giallo Ginestra; Dealers; Clubs Italia, Hi-Fi and Lancia; and the Final Edition.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA

Alfistas adore the GTA, and you can see why. On the racetrack it was unstoppable.

While almost identical to the standard GT cars, the additional ‘A’ refers to its new lightweight frame (‘Alleggerita’) which made it 200kg lighter.

The 1,570cc twin camshaft engine was also modified to increase power. The result was a virtuoso racer.

Classic fact: At 1966’s European Championship opener at Monza, the GTA claimed the first seven places, and went on to win the title.

Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta

If this was a beauty contest, the ultra-rare Berlinetta would be crowned Miss Universe.

Presented at the 1954 Turin Motor Show, it’s essentially a 2000 Sport elegantly reimagined with an ‘berlinetta’ body from Pininfarina.

Aside from its godlike beauty, Maserati made the A6GCS quick as you like. Its 2.0-litre straight-six produced 170bhp, and a top speed of 150mph.

Classic fact: Only four Pininfarina models exist, one being on display at the Maserati Museum in Modena.

Pagani Zonda C12

The jaw-dropping Zonda C12 first appeared at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. It was otherworldly.

The carbon fibre body, the extreme curves, the luxury, the precision... folks were stunned.

Horatio Pagani’s masterpiece was powered by a 6.0-litre V12 Mercedes-Benz engine which made it rocket from 0-60mph in four seconds flat.

Today, over 20 years later, it still looks futuristic.

Classic fact: The Zonda C12 is named after an Argentine wind. The ‘C’ refers to Pagani's wife Christina, while the ‘12’ is the cylinder count.

Ferrari 250 GTO

There are highly desired cars, and there’s the 250 GTO.

Only 36 were made, and all were reserved for Enzo Ferrari’s favoured privateers. Today, they can swap hands for £52 million.

Apart from the stupefying price tag, the GTO is a genuine racer's car, and all 36 models have stellar track histories.

Classic fact: The 250 GTO is the first (£52m), second (£36m) and third (£28m) most expensive car ever sold.

De Tomaso Pantera

Nope, it’s not Knight Rider. It’s Tom Tjaarda’s Ford-inspired forgotten classic, the De Tomaso Pantera.

This 1971 mid-engine predator lived up to its Panther name - quick, sleek, and very agile. It was also powered by a 5.8-litre, Ford V8 engine. Beast mode!

Only 7,280 Panteras were produced, so spotting one in the wild is a rare thrill.

Classic fact: Hilariously, Elvis Presley once shot his 1971 yellow Pantera because it wouldn’t start. 

Read more from our Classic Cars Series:

The 8 Best British Classic Cars

The 9 Best German Classic Cars

The 7 Best French Classic Cars 

The 8 Best Japanese Classic Cars