Image via Complex Original
Every nation that makes cars has developed some sort of national automotive character. American cars are usually straightforward and power; German cars take themselves a bit too seriously, Japanese cars are known mostly for tight manufacturing tolerances and a certain anal-retentiveness; English cars are elegant, but untrustworthy; and Italian cars are about sex appeal first, and all of that other crap later. We like Italian cars.
While we, like most auto enthusiasts, tend to focus on Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, and Pagani, there are tons of great cars from the country's other marques. We shoved those typical makes aside and, hand-picked a few that are necessary to your automotive knowledge. These are 10 Awesome Italian Cars You Might Not Know About.
Related: 10 Awesome American Cars You Might Not Know About
Siata 208s
Steve McQueen, the paragon of motoring cool, bought a Siata 208s. It was tiny, light, and powered by a 2.0L 8v engine. He called it his "little Ferrari."
Iso Rivolta IR 340
The Rivolta IR 340 was designed to be a superb Grand Tourer, and it had everything it needed to accomplish this goal. It had a powerful V8 (from a Corvette), a stylish Italian design, and a great gearbox. In 1964 a 7.9-second 0-60 and a top speed of 142mph was pretty impressive, as well.
ASA 1000 GT
Think of it as 1/3 of a Ferrari, as the engine was a four-cylinder sliver of the V12 from the Ferrari 212, and the price was about 1/3 of the price of a Ferrari, as well. Originally, the car was legitimately going to be a Ferrari, but nobody within the company's corporate structure was willing to let this stand at odds with Ferrari's exclusive image, so it was canned. Enzo Ferrari, however, was unwilling to let the car die, so it ended up coming to market under a different name.
Bandini GT 750
The lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, relatively low-powered sports car is, with a few exceptions, a thing of the past. We can't see why, though, given the racing success of cars like the Bandini GT 750 on circuits like Sebring and Daytona.
750 Nardi Vignale Coupe
Mr. Nardi only made small runs of cars and one-off racing cars, which makes the 750 Nardi Vignale Coupe extremely rare. It's not just rare, though; it's a brilliantly tuned Fiat 600 that's usually seen in a striking two-tone paint scheme.
Corvini C6W
The Corvini C6W looks absolutely stupid. It is, however, the direct descendant of one of the most innovative and effective F1 cars in recent history: the Tyrrell P34. By the addition of the second set of front wheels traction is increased, understeer is reduced, braking distance is reduced, turbulence is reduced, and hydroplaning is virtually eliminated. The cost of maintaining another set of brakes, pads, and tires sucks, but we think it's a worthwhile tradeoff.
Stanguellini Colibri
Six international speed records: That's what the Stanguellini Colibri has to its name. This sexy streamliner was powered by a Moto Guzzi motorcycle racing engine and made quite a splash at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in 1963.
Ghia L6.4
Both Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin owned a Ghia L6.4. If that's not enough to show you that this is a damn cool car, you are beyond hope. With a 335-horse Chryser V8 under the hood, it wasn't a slouch either.
Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8
Isotta Fraschini is one of the forgotten greats of the automotive world. The Tipo 8, 8A, and 8B were cross-shopped with Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Delahayes and the like. Sadly, the depression killed off Isotta Fraschini. An attempt to revive the brand after World War II was mounted, but the company was done for.
Dino 246 GT
One upon a time, Ferrari decided to attempt to create a smaller, less powerful car under a different name to act as a stepping stone. The Dino 246 GT was the Ferrari for people who couldn't afford a Ferrari. Due to its fun dynamics and jaw-dropping looks, Dino 246 GTs are now worth more than quite a few vintage Ferraris. It's funny how things work out.
