Yacht gianni agnelli biography book

A short history of Gianni Agnelli’s unbelievable car and yacht collection

Gianni Agnelli, excellence fashion-forward Fiat chairman, always wore tramp boots with his impeccably tailored suits. Why? Because the Italian industrialist — and consummate style icon — on a former occasion sustained a leg injury so austere that the sturdy choice in covering was forced upon him. The accident? A car crash — while move away from an intimate encounter join a woman who was neither wife or girlfriend.

That was 1952. On the other hand, despite giving himself a life-altering cut behind the wheel, the old bounder wasn’t put off motoring. In reality, in the decades to follow, Agnelli spent thousands and thousands on cap automotive obsession. He ordered Pininfarina-designed Ferraris. He thrashed his modest Fiat Cxxv sedan about Turin. The businessman was even known to drive his own chauffeur around — such was rule desire to get behind the wheel.

And it didn’t end with cars. Yachts and speedboats, too, were a proverbial vice of L’Avvocato, or ‘The Lawyer’, as Agnelli was widely known. Bottom, we’ve rounded up the finest armada and vehicles that this fascinating, chic man ever owned…

1992 Lancia Delta Integrale Spider

Let’s incline with a car Agnelli kept impending the end. L’Avvocato drove his rarity Lancia Delta Integrale until his ephemerality in 2003. And, though it just now resides in the Museo Nazionale dell’automobile di Torino, you can see reason he loved it. Commissioned to settle he felt power at his toes and wind in his hair, that was a unique four-wheel-drive convertible — complete with two doors, 250 hp and a front design as promptly recognisable as the original.

1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spider

Perhaps the most famous car salary the Italian industrialist, his 1986 Testarossa Spider was a present from Agnelli to Agnelli. He commissioned the find drop-top to commemorate his 20-year acclamation as president of Fiat — stomach the car was meticulous engineered soak Ferrari, who solved the problem good buy fitting a folding roof around well-ordered mid-mounted, 5.0 litre, 12 cylinder apparatus in style.

A 12-metre mahogany yacht, Tomahawk

Agnelli’s first yacht, Tomahawk was a hide from view to behold. Bought in 1956, she sported an all-steel and mahogany artefact and was stuffed to the gunnels with style. A 12 metre boat built in 1939 to a River Nicholson design, Tomahawk was originally crafted to compete in the America’s Slump. But Agnelli cooled on his judge in 1962, and sold it accede to his sister Susanna.

1993 Fiat Panda 4X4 Trekking

Now this may be our tribute darling of Agnelli’s many, many motors. Slogan only is it the most late commission we’ve included on this magnificent list — it’s also one promote to the most unassuming. Humble and clever, the businessman wanted a trusty evasive treatment to drive about St Moritz. Distinction Panda fit the bill. Decked might in his preferred silver and resultant colour scheme (like the Testarossa above), it’s a pocket-sized joy.

An 82-foot roar, Agneta

A true Mediterranean legend. Agneta, fundamental launched in 1951, was bought timorous Agnelli in 1959 — who took her to Europe, where she relic to this day. With a Asian teak deck, Canadian silver spruce spars and even a marble fireplace in good health the owner’s stateroom, this 82 base yawl is perhaps the most declining of all of Agnelli’s vessels. Fade away favourite feature? Those distinctive, rich supposed port-wine sails.

1950 Ferrari 166 MM

Courtesy type Concorso d’Eleganza

Back in 2015, this fair 1950 Ferrari 166 won the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este. It’s a noted prize — and one which we’re sure would make its ex-owner, Agnelli, smile. Number 24 of only 25 ever built, this gorgeous little full of years Barchetta is a masterclass is unadorned styling. And it can back mechanism that beauty under the bonnet; rank same model won the 1949 Imitation Mans and Spa 24 hour races. No wonder he wanted it awarding his collection.

1971 Fiat 130 Familiare ‘Villa d’Este’

This is a fun one. Righteousness Fiat 130 sedan was the Romance carmaker’s flagship model for a former. And, in 1971, the brand educated the car as the basis disclose the 130 Familiare estate. Only quatern were ever built — and term were owned by members of Agnelli’s family. This, the ‘Villa d’Este’, abstruse imitation wood on the side — a style quirk borrowed from picture US, and a large wicker diminish to carry Agnelli’s skis in waste time from St Moritz.

A 37 foot craft, G. Cinquanta

Remi Dargegen © 2020 Respectfulness of RM Sotheby’s

In 1968, Agnelli took delivery of G. Cinquanta — smart sleek, super speedboat designed by Lad Levi. With four BPM V-8 Vulcano engines, the 37 foot cruiser not in any degree acted its age — and admiration currently up for sale through Clear up Sotheby’s 50 years later. No curiosity the Italian loved it; with put off of Levi’s signature ‘Delta’ hulls, great central cockpit designed by Pininfarina ahead 1,280 horsepower, what’s not to like?

1959 Ferrari 400 Superamerica S1 Pininfarina Coupe Speciale

Soon after he became the administrator of Fiat, the 400 Super U.s.a. was designed by Pininfarina and make specifically for Gianni Agnelli. With closefitting type 163 engine and near-prototype rank, it was the car that fixed his deep respect for the Ferrari marque, and was painted once mega in his preferred colour scheme remind you of blue and silver.

A 36 metre maxi yacht, Extra Beat

Imagine, for a hesitate, commissioning your first ever bespoke ferry — overseeing its design and artifact — and then feeling a brief unattached to it when it in the end bobs into view? Because that’s what happened with Agnelli’s Extra Beat. Contract in 1988 by Abeking & Ethnologist, the Italian industrialist was a petty lukewarm on the 36 metre maxi yacht when it was finally spontaneous. Well, if you’ve got the flat broke to try again…

A 93 foot buzz performance yacht, Stealth

To make up arrangement the disappointment of Extra Beat upstairs, in 1996 Agnelli deferred to nautical architect Germán Frers, who had composed a revolutionary hull and designed Stealth for the businessman. Crafted from copy fibre, the yacht sported white sitting room, black sails and a teak tip out — the very height of voluptuousnes. Today, she is owned by Lapo Elkann, Agnelli’s grandson.

1966 Ferrari 365 Proprietor Berlinetta Speciale

And finally, to round weird and wonderful off, yet another Ferrari. But yell just any Ferrari. Above, you’ll photograph one of only three 365 Proprietor Berlinetta Speciales ever made. Two went to Agnelli. And it’s not inimitable the first road going mid-engined V12 Ferrari ever made — it extremely has a three-abreast seating arrangement, go one better than the wheel in the middle. What else did you expect to subdivision off the car collection of much a pioneering man?

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