Italian

Only 38 examples of the 2900 were produced by Alfa Romeo, with fewer known to exist today. Some of the most desirable of these are the long-chassis Spiders — “long” being a relative term, as the wheelbase was only extended by 20 centimeters but provided the most luxurious platform for a 2-seater body. Built in…

Completed in 1977, this remarkable Maserati Khamsin, chassis number AM120US1142, left the factory in Giallo Fly (Fly Yellow) over Nero (black) upholstery, with the desirable 5-speed ZF manual transmission. Said to be one of only seven U.S.-delivery examples built in this livery, it was consigned new to Maserati Automobiles California Inc. Soon after its U.S.…

By 1960, Scuderia Ferrari dominated the highest levels of international motor sports. Its Grand Prix cars had delivered World Drivers’ Championships to Ascari, Fangio and Hawthorn. In sports-car racing, Ferrari was unrivaled, scoring repeat victories at endurance classics including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1000 Miglia, Targa Florio, Tour de France Automobile and 12…

The 166 Spyder Corsa was aimed at the most sporting crowd — those interested in both circuit racing their new Ferrari while maintaining the ability to drive it in road races and on the street. The Besana brothers (Soave and Gabriele) of Lombardy were perhaps the ideal first Ferrari customers. Both aristocratic, with means from…

Named after Iso company boss Renzo Rivolta, the IR 300 GT was brought to fruition by two of the most influential Italians to ply their trade in the automotive industry. Engineered by Giotto Bizzarrini (of Ferrari and Lamborghini V12 fame) and penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his stint at Bertone, the svelte 2+2 coupe boasted…

In the late 1950s, Alfa Romeo topped its range with a luxury sedan, the Berlina 2000, available in coupe and convertible versions. In 1962, to elevate the performance to match the desired prestige, these cars received a 2600 inline 6-cylinder engine, the last one produced by the brand. In addition to the factory body styles,…

From 1968 to 1972, the Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi Company of Vercelli, Italy, produced a small, rear-engine sports car based upon the Fiat 850. It featured attractive, streamlined coachwork in the wedge style that was very much in vogue at the time. Tiny in dimension but very well proportioned, the Giuseppe Rinaldi-penned design had exotic looks…

Only a single original Iso Grifo convertible was built: this car, actually a companion to the original A3/L prototype coupe, with which it shared such distinctive features as the side exhaust rakishly snaking through the passenger’s side of the cowl and under the rocker panel trim with its nearly matte finish, a nose with a…

This DeTomaso Mangusta was delivered new in May 1969 to Ing. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz Bolaños, Presidente de la Republica Mexicana, for $8,891 (copy of purchase invoice on file). Of the 401 Mangustas produced, most had the less-powerful, 271-horsepower, 302-ci Ford V8 engine, while comparatively few had the superior 289-ci version with 306 hp, like this…