The Bel Paese has always distinguished itself for elegance and know how to do in the most varied sectors of commerce: from haute couture to wine production, it has always given us great satisfaction. And the same is true for the automotive sector, in fact the best sports cars in the world are the result of the genius Made in Italy.
From Lamborghini to Ferrari, without forgetting Maserati, Bugatti or De Tomaso: we start our journey through the history of the most prestigious Italian sports cars brands in the world.
Ferrari sports car, the world’s most famous prancing horse
Emblem of luxury, elegance and Italian tradition: the Ferrari sports cars are synonymous with style and luxury that will never go out of fashion. The brand was born in Maranello, in 1947, from the resourcefulness of Enzo Ferrari.
What perhaps not everyone knows is that its origins date back to 1929, the year in which the founder created the Scuderia Ferrari. In its early years, the brand focused its production on high-end sports cars and racing cars.
The first car produced by Ferrari was the 125S, built only in two examples. From the first production, the brand of the prancing horse set out on the road to success with a succession of models that led Ferrari to conquer the whole world.
Lamborghini, the Italian sports cars evergreen
Italian style and value are enclosed in the sports cars of the Bologna car manufacturer. Another Italian brand that has reached the heights of success and that represents, to date, an Italian flagship, loved all over the world. Symbolized by a wild bull, Lamborghini offers classic lines characterized by a truly timeless elegance.
The company produces cars with a gritty design since 1963, the year in which the brand was born from the idea of Ferruccio Lamborghini: the founder had already collected experiences as an entrepreneur through Lamborghini Trattori and beyond.
Also in this case we can tell you a curious story of which, probably, you are not aware: the story wants there has been a quarrel between Ferruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari. Apparently, Ferruccio went to Enzo to give unsolicited advice about the 250G. Mr Ferrari, aware that his interlocutor produced, at the time, only tractors, replied insinuating that he certainly could not know much about sports cars.
As a great entrepreneur, Ferruccio took up the challenge and decided to start his production of sports cars. Apparently, in a sense, it is thanks to Ferrari that today we can boast another myth of the Italian automotive industry: the Lamborghini.
The unmistakable trident Maserati, sports car Made in Italy
Maserati was born in Bologna and moved to Modena, where he achieved the success we all know today. It stands out immediately for the refinement of its sports cars, truly inimitable.
The history of Maserati has its roots in 1914 when the driver and entrepreneur Alfieri Maserati gave life to this automotive reality. At the beginning, Maserati focused on the production of racing cars: it was only with the move to Modena that the brand began to focus on luxury sports cars. The first prototype dates back to 1926, the first example of the brand to show off the famous stylized trident, inspired by the fountain of Neptune in Bologna.
Over the years there have also been moments of crisis that have affected the Italian brand, always followed by surprising economic recovery: a truly compelling story and full of unforeseen events that Maserati, Despite everything, it maintains its prominent position among the most famous Italian sports cars brands in the world.
Bugatti sports cars, the Italian sports cars that inaugurate the twentieth century
Bugatti was born at the beginning of the twentieth century, precisely in 1909: a French car manufacturer born from the ambitions of an Italian who emigrated to France, Ettore Bugatti. To date, the auto sportive Bugatti represent one of the most exclusive brands in the industry, worldwide.
In the 1920s we see the debut of Bugatti cars on circuits around the world and the brand stands out immediately, thanks to the achievement of great successes on the track. But it was in 1926 that Bugatti reaches the peaks of fame, winning the Constructors’ World Championship with three victories won by two drivers. Jules Gaux is ranked first in France and in the European GP; Louis Charavel excels in the Italian GP.
The story of Bugatti has also experienced dark moments and difficulties and yet, with every crisis, a recovery has always followed. In fact, one of its most interesting productions of recent times dates back to 2020: the Bolide, a super light track hypercar, with 1,850 horses. In 2021 Bugatti takes another step forward and merges with Rimac, manufacturer of sports cars electric and marks the beginning of a new phase that, we are sure, will be full of success.
De Tomaso, the return to Italy in style
Alejandro de Tomaso, born in Argentina but with Italian origins: he is the founder of the Modena company of auto sportive de Tomaso. In 1959 he decided to return to his grandfather’s native country and this year he began his adventure in the automotive industry. Inspired by the horse of Enzo Ferrari, he began to specialize in prototypes for pilots and private teams: his symbol is the same used in family farms, in Argentina.
His first approach to Formula 1 sees the brand participate only in races not valid for the championship but is still a success enough to bring it up. Later, he decided to expand his production and go beyond the only race cars. In the mid-sixties, the brand debuted with the Vallelunga model, a sporty aluminium car, with a lively and sparkling design, with a Ford engine of 1,500 horsepower and a five-speed manual transmission.
The performance of the car is really remarkable, thanks to the low weight; The model is available in coupé and barchetta versions and it is thanks to Vallelunga that the workshop is able to consolidate its presence on the market and to collect a principle of financial solidity.
To date de Tomaso is no longer the one we knew: Alejandro, after having a stroke, retired from the market to devote himself to his private life. To date the logo has also changed and the company is in the hands of the Chinese Ideal Team Ventures who decided to pay homage to the glorious past of the Modenese automaker with the model De Tomaso P72.
What is the flagship of Italian sports car manufacturers?
The answer is that there is not just one: our short journey through the history of these five brands of sports cars showed us how all, in different ways, They represent a milestone that has contributed to the Italian success in the automotive sector. A success to be proud of worldwide.
copertina: dday