Oldtimer: Schnell, schön, Superveloce – Diese Italo-Sportwagen sollte man kennen

Cologne. At first glance, they are merely devices meant to provide mobility. Despite their humble purpose, Italian super sports cars stir society and the zeitgeist more intensely than other modes of transport. This year, the electric Ferrari Luce ignited debates about the brand's demise with the Cavallino Rampante, while the Ferrari Luce "Chassis 0" set a record auction price of 40 million dollars.

Limited Lamborghinis such as the recently unveiled Fenomeno Roadster sold out before production even began, a phenomenon that even hypercar specialists like Rimac from Croatia or Czinger from the USA can only dream of. Even the revival of British classic car brands like TVR, Bristol, or Jensen occasionally stalls: what makes the fascination of Italian Gran Turismo from the Golden Triangle of Bologna, Modena, and Maranello so special?

It's like in the Italian opera, a unique blend of engineering and design artistry, the passion of the actors, and dramatic events. Sixty years ago, the competition to build the most exciting and radical Italian super sports car began: who would build the fastest Superveloce, asked 1966. Ford had just won everything at Le Mans and co with the GT40, Toyota had set world records with the 2000GT, now Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Iso-Rivolta, and De Tomaso had to respond.