A Nation Of Pure Passion

Italy's boundless passion never ceases to amaze.

Lancia's Overlooked High Pedigree

While Ferrari and Porsche rightfully hog all the attention, we tend to forget other legendary auto racing cars that have proven to be consistent campions on the track in various races across the globe.

One car manufacturer with an outstanding pedigree but overlooked nevertheless is Lancia.

Particularly, where racing is concerned the Lancia Delta (Group A) and Stratos (designed by Bertone's Marcello Gandini*).

The former having won 46 World Rally Championship races and six constructors titles and the latter 18 and 3. In total, Lancia earned 10 world titles.  The Stratos was named among the 'coolest' sports cars in history (joined by three Ferrari and Maserati models) by Top Gear.

Lancia has not won since 1992 and in recent years France (led by Peugeot and Citroen) as dominated the WRC.

*****



*Galdini once made the short list for 'car designer of the century'. A list dominated by 11 Italians (won by Georgetto Giugiaro) and 10 Americans. Followed by 3 French designers and Germany and Sweden sharing 1 each. Incidentally, there was also a 'car engineer of the century' list compiled. That one was led by 8 who were German (with Ferdinand Porsche selected as the winner), 8 British, 3 Italian and 2 American and Austrian.

In total 14 Italians made the cut. More than any country. Not too shabby. 

Vintage Cimbali And Ghia's Spirit In The Bat-Mobile

What is/was the Lincoln Futura?

I suppose the best way to explain it is with the following picture:



Yes, the Bat-Mobile is a Lincoln Futura. But what's that got to do with a blog that focuses on Italian engineering?

Well, turns out even the Bat-Mobile couldn't escape the omnipotence of Italian auto design as it was designed by Ghia (though the car was modified to its iconic look we saw in the Bat-Man series from the 1960s).

******





I came across the fine looking espresso machine the other day.  It's a rare Microcimbali with a spring lever.

Just thought it was relevant to bring up since I enjoy espresso and building espresso machines takes a certain amount of tech design and engineering.

The closest I came to find more about it here in North America was in this youtube video:

From Middle-Class To Concept Classics

The Autobianchi company was a creation of Pirelli, Fiat and Bianchi in 1955. After being brought under the Lancia umbrella by way of Fiat, it ceased operations in 1995.



*****

An ode to Italy's endless stream of auto engineers and designers. Today, it's Franco Scaglione. (Lugi Rapi designed the Bianchina in the video above).

I'm a sucker for tortured brilliant minds who died penniless and with little recognition despite their work still being appreciated today.