Let’s take a look at some of the most famous Italian cars in film, from Alain Delon’s Maserati Ghibli to the iconic Alfa Romeo Duetto from The Graduate.
Maserati Ghibli – Alain Delon
The Maserati Ghibli is one of the most iconic cars produced by the historic Italian automaker. First introduced in 1967, this luxury coupé quickly became a symbol of elegance and speed. Among its famous drivers was Alain Delon, a true icon of French cinema, who not only owned a Ghibli in real life but also used it in several public appearances. The connection between Delon and Maserati helped reinforce the car’s image of charm and sophistication, making it a symbol of the “dolce vita” and the jet-set lifestyle of the 1960s and ’70s.
The Maserati Ghibli, with its design by Giorgetto Giugiaro for Ghia, represented a perfect combination of style and power, equipped with a V8 engine capable of producing up to 330 horsepower and a top speed nearing 270 km/h. In films, the Maserati appeared in scenes celebrating luxurious lifestyles and speed, becoming a cult object for vintage car and cinema enthusiasts.
Alfa Romeo Duetto – The Graduate (1967)
One of the most famous Italian cars in international cinema is undoubtedly the Alfa Romeo Duetto, immortalized in The Graduate, the 1967 film directed by Mike Nichols and starring a young Dustin Hoffman. The car driven by the protagonist, Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman), with determination and rebellion along the Californian roads, is a Spider Duetto, one of the most captivating creations from the Arese-based automaker.
The Alfa Romeo Duetto, designed by Pininfarina, embodied the essence of the Italian sports car: elegant, agile, with smooth, flowing lines. Powered by a 1.6-liter engine producing 109 horsepower, the Duetto offered an engaging driving experience, perfect for capturing the free spirit of the young protagonist. The scenes of the Duetto speeding through American roads, accompanied by the soundtrack of Simon & Garfunkel, helped turn the car into a legend. Today, it is still remembered as “the car from The Graduate.” This iconic film boosted Alfa Romeo’s image in the United States, fueling the dream of owning an Italian sports car.
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 – The Italian Job (1969)
In the film The Italian Job (1969), a legendary film that solidified the collective imagination of cars as action film protagonists, a Ferrari 275 GTB/4 makes a brief but significant appearance. This car is remembered for its elegance and exceptional performance, symbolizing the engineering excellence of Maranello.
Driven in the film by the character Beckermann, the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is an iconic car, featuring a V12 engine producing 300 horsepower and a body designed by Scaglietti. Although it plays a minor role in the film, it is destroyed in a dramatic crash in the Italian Alps, a moment not forgotten by supercar fans. Its brief yet unforgettable contribution to The Italian Job made the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 a key part of the image of Italian cars in cinema.
Lancia Aurelia B24 – Il Sorpasso (1962)
No discussion of Italian cinema is complete without mentioning the Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, a key player in the 1962 masterpiece Il Sorpasso, directed by Dino Risi. In this film, a symbol of Italian comedy, Vittorio Gassman drives the splendid Aurelia along the sun-drenched roads of the Italian countryside in a surreal journey reflecting the social and economic changes of the country at the time.
The Lancia Aurelia B24 is a classic, elegant sports car, considered one of the most beautiful Italian vehicles ever produced. With its 2.5-liter engine and 118 horsepower, the Aurelia B24 delivered impressive performance for its time. In the film, the car is not just a means of transport but becomes a symbol of freedom, the desire for escape, and the generational divide.
Fiat 500 – La Dolce Vita (1960)
Even the small Fiat 500 deserves a mention for its impact in cinema, despite being the opposite of the sports cars mentioned above. The 500, a symbol of Italy’s post-war economic boom, appears in numerous films, but it became particularly iconic in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. Although the film is famous for the scene with the Cadillac Eldorado in the Trevi Fountain, the Fiat 500 represents the quintessential Italian car of the era.
Its presence in films emphasizes the everyday, popular aspect of 1960s Italian society, in sharp contrast to the luxury cars. However, its simplicity and appealing design made it an equally important symbol of cinema and culture from that period.