The Oxford dictionary defines art as, “The expression or
application of human creative skill and imagination…producing works to be
appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Throughout the
history of the automobile, the Italians have taken it upon themselves to use
the car, in its most abstract definition, a social tool, as canvas for some
breathtaking artistic expression.
Cars like the Fiat 500, the Ferrari 250 GTO, the Lamborghini
Miura and more recently the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione redefined car design for
good, and these barely scratch the surface. Not to mention, most of them were
sublime driving machines. This also
meant that the general public would tend to overlook their questionable build
quality and awkward interior layouts.
Fast-forward to the present day and the situation is
slightly different. Case in point, Ferrari & Lamborghini. One is a
marketing juggernaut, selling everything from keychains to amusement park rides.
While the other is now an offshoot of the largest automotive conglomerate ever.
Their cars, while still quicker and better looking than almost everything else,
now seem to be made to please everyone. This is no bad thing, makes them more
accessible, but the true purists still feel left out.
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| Pagani Huayra BC Credits: Speedhunters |
This is where Pagani come in. Set up in 1992 by
ex-Lamborghini engineer Horacio Pagani and based out of San Cesario sul Panaro,
near Modena, Italy, this small upstart of the supercar world has managed to
build some true masterpieces. The Zonda first and then the Huayra are immensely
stylish and quick while being built with an almost pathological attention to
detail. Testament to this are the interior bits milled from solid aluminium, the
exposed gear linkages which mimic the precision of watch movements, the
spaceship styling and the bespoke AMG engines. All of this goes to show these cars
to be not just about the numbers. They exude a sense of occasion and
character, which makes them even more appealing.
The electric revolution is sweeping through the car world
and it is almost certainly for the best. Also, supercars are not going anywhere
either. What may go missing though are stunningly pretty, characterful cars.
But with the Italians and their Paganis, you can always hold out hope.
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