Grand tourer: Difference between revisions

A '''grand tourer''' ('''GT''') is a type of [[car]] that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving, due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes.<ref name=":27">{{cite book|quote=A newer concept altogether is the modern ''gran turismo'' class, which was in effect unknown before [[World War II]]; sustained high-speed motoring from relatively modest engine size and compact closed coachwork |title=The Sports Car, Development and Design |page=179 |last=Stanford |first=John |publisher=B. T. Batsford |year=1957 |isbn=9781135518684}}</ref> The most common format is a [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]] two-door [[coupé]] with either a two-seat or a [[2+2 (car body style)|2+2]] arrangement. Grand tourers are most often the coupé derivative of [[Luxury vehicle|luxury]] [[saloon (car)|saloon]]s or sedans. Many iconic car models, such as the [[Ferrari 250 GT]], [[Jaguar E-Type]], and [[Aston Martin DB5]], are considered classic examples of ''gran turismo'' cars.

The term is a near-[[calque]] from the [[Italian language]] phrase ''gran turismo'', which became popular in the English language fromin the 1950s, evolving from fast [[touring car]]s and [[Streamliner|streamlined]] closed sports cars during the 1930s.<ref name=":22" />

In the [[World War II|post-war]] United States, manufacturers were less inclined to adopt the "ethos of the GT car",<ref name="dawson" /> preferring to build cars "suited to their [[Interstate Highway System|long, straight, smooth roads]] and [[Automatic transmission|labor-saving lifestyles]]"<ref name="dawson" /> with wide availability of powerful [[Straight-six engine|straight-six]] and [[V8 engine]]s in all price-ranges like the 1955-1965 [[Chrysler 300 letter series|Chrysler 300]]. Despite this, the United States, enjoying early [[Post–World War II economic expansion|post-war economic expansion]], became the largest market for European grand-touring cars,<ref name="dawson" /> supplying transportation for movie stars, celebrities and the [[jet set]]; notably the [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SL]] (imported by [[Max Hoffman]]),<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/goodwood-festival-of-speed/10879555/Mercedes-Benz-300SL-gullwing-review.html |title= Mercedes-Benz 300SL gullwing review |last= English |first= Andrew |work= Telegraph.co.uk |date= 6 June 2014 |access-date= 17 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_cars/gullwing.html |title= Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe History | first= Dan |last= Jedlicka |website=danjedlicka.com |access-date=17 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/automobiles/18HOFFMAN.html |title= Max Hoffman Made Imports Less Foreign to Americans |last= Osborne |first= Donald |date= 18 March 2007 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date= 17 June 2017 |issn= 0362-4331}}</ref> the [[Jaguar XK120]], and the [[Ferrari]] ''[[berlinetta]]s'' (imported by [[Luigi Chinetti]]).<ref>{{cite news |url= https://petrolicious.com/articles/luigi-chinetti-s-life-was-dedicated-to-motorsport |title= Luigi Chinetti's Life Was Dedicated to Motorsport |last= Parker |first= John i|date= 13 May 2014 |work= Petrolicious |access-date= 17 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/20/obituaries/luigi-chinetti-sr-93-automobile-importer-and-champion-racer.html |title= Luigi Chinetti Sr., 93, Automobile Importer and Champion Racer |last= Siano |first= Joseph |date= 20 August 1994 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date= 17 June 2017 |issn= 0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/60-years-ferrari-america-celebrated-rodeo-drive |title= 60 years of Ferrari in America celebrated on Rodeo Drive |work=Autoweek |date= 13 October 2014 |first= Mark |last= Vaughn |access-date= 17 June 2017}}</ref> Classic grand-touring cars from the [[History of the automobile|post-war era]] especially, have since become valuable cars among wealthy collectors.<ref name=":20" /><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/55-million-world-s-most-expensive-car-n694786 |title= This 1962 Ferrari could be set to be the world's most expensive car |work=NBC News |date= 12 December 2016 |first= Gemma |last= Acton |access-date= 17 June 2017}}</ref> Within ten years, grand touring cars found success penetrating the new American [[personal luxury car]] market.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.anythingaboutcars.com/1950s-imported-cars.html|title= The 1950s Imported Cars Wasn't Much of a Threat to the Big Three |work= anything about cars |access-date= 17 June 2017}}</ref>

The terms ''grand tourer'', ''gran turismo'', ''grande routière'', and ''GT'' are among the most misused terms in motoring.<ref name="dawson">{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rOjgktooGNMC|title=GT : the world's best GT cars 1953–1973 |last=Dawson |first=Sam |publisher=Veloce |year=2007 |isbn=9781845840600 |access-date=16 May 2014}}</ref> The grand touring designation generally "means motoring at speed, in style, safety, and comfort".<ref>{{cite journal|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=TUMcAQAAIAAJ&q=The+letters+GT—+gran+turismo+in+Italian,+%22grand+touring%22+in+translation+—+are+probably+the+most+widely+abused+initials+in+the+auto+industry.+Grand+touring+means+motoring+at+speed,+in+style,+safety,+and+comfort |page=129 |title=Made in Japan |journal=California |volume=7 |issue=5–8 |date=1982 |access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> "Purists define ''gran turismo'' as the enjoyment, excitement and comfort of open-road touring."<ref>{{cite journal|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=tClPAQAAIAAJ&q=Purists+define+%22Gran+Turismo%22+as+the+enjoyment,+excitement+and+comfort+of+open-road+touring |page=442 |title=Current Events |journal=Financial Mail |date=1983 |access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref>

* "It should be able to transport at least two in comfortcomfortably with their luggage and have room to spare — probably in the form of a two plus two seating arrangement."

Grand tourers emphasize comfort and handling over straight-out high performance or [[Asceticism|ascetic]], spartan accommodations. In comparison, [[sports car]]s (also a "much abused and confused term") are typically more "crude" compared to "sophisticated Grand Touring machinery".<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gaht86fdYhcC&q=crude+to+those+who+were+into+sophisticated+Grand+Touring+machinery,+there+was+no+doubt+that+this+was+truly,+in+every+sense+of+the+word,+a+sports+car.+It+was,+in+fact,+a+rolling,+moving+definition+of+that+much+abused+and+confused+term |page=80 |title=Shelby Cobra Gold Portfolio 1962~1969 |first=R.M. |last=Clarke |edition=Revised |publisher=Brooklands Books |year=1990 |isbn=9781855200234 |access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> However, the popularity of using GT for marketing purposes has meant that it has become a "much misused term, eventually signifying no more than a slightly tuned version of a family car with [[Alloy wheels|trendy wheels]] and a [[Racing stripe|go-faster stripe]] on the side".<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YYe0huG3_2gC&q=GT+became+a+much+misused+term,+eventually+signifying+no+more+than+a+slightly+tuned+version+of+a+family+car+with+trendy+wheels+and+a+go-faster+stripe+on |page=197 |title=History of the Automobile |first=Peter |last=Roberts |publisher=Exeter Books |year=1984 |isbn=9780671071486 |access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref>

Historically, most GTs have been [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|front-engined with rear-wheel drive]], which createsoffering more cabin space for the cabin than [[rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout|mid-mounted]] engine layouts. Softer suspensions, greater storage, and more luxurious appointments add to their appeal.

File:Jaguar E-Type series 1 coupé 1964.jpg|Front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe: 1964 [[Jaguar E-Type]]. [[Automotive design]]ers call the position of the driver's hip close to the rear axle "close-coupled".<ref>{{cite news|url= http://ateupwithmotor.com/terms-technology-definitions/automotive-design-terms/|title=From Pillar to Post: More Automotive Definitions |work=Ate Up With Motor |date=15 August 2009 |first=Aaron |last=Severson |access-date=17 June 2017}}</ref>

* GTB: ''Gran turismo berlinetta''<ref>{{cite web |title=1966-1967 Ferrari 275 Gran Turismo Berlinetta Competizione Scaglietti |url= https://www.topspeed.com/cars/ferrari/1966-1967-ferrari-275-gran-turismo-berlinetta-competizione-scaglietti-ar166044.html |website=topspeed.com |date=26 December 2014 |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>

* GT/E: "''Gran turismo Einspritzung''" - the German word for '[[fuel injection]]'<ref>{{cite web |title=Audi 80 GT: ringing the changes |url= https://www.influx.co.uk/cars/audi-80-gt/ |website=influx.co.uk |access-date=7 March 2019 |date=13 March 2017}}</ref>

* GTi or GTI: "Grand touring [[fuel injection|injection]]", mostly used for hot hatches following the introduction of the Volkswagen Golf GTi<ref>{{cite web |title=What Does Golf GTI Stand For? |url= https://www.volkswagensantamonica.com/blog/what-does-golf-gti-stand-for/ |website=volkswagensantamonica.com |access-date=7 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

* GTO: "''Gran turismo omologato''" - the Italian word for '[[homologation (motorsport)|homologation]]'<ref>{{cite web |title=Ferrari 250 GTO (1962), "Gran Turismo Omologato" per i 39 esemplari della Rossa più famosa |url= https://www.motorionline.com/2017/11/24/ferrari-250-gto-1962-gran-turismo-omologato-per-i-39-esemplari-della-rossa-piu-famosa/ |website=motorionline.com |access-date=7 March 2019 |language=IT}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The definition of gran turismo omologato |url= https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gran-turismo-omologato |website=dictionary.com |access-date=7 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

Italy developed the first ''gran turismo'' cars. The small, light-weight, and [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] [[coupé]]s, named the "[[Berlinetta]]", originated in the 1930s. A contemporary French concept, known as "''grande routière''", emphasized style, elegance, luxury, and gentlemanly transcontinental touring; the ''grande routières'' were often larger cars than the Italian ''gran turismos''.<ref>This emphasis found favor with post-war British commentators as an English definition of the grand tourer. For reference see: ''Les Grandes Routières: France's Classic Grand Tourers'', Stobbs, William, 1990; and ''GT: The World's Best GT Cars 1953 to 1973'', Dawson, Sam, 2007. For examplars see: Bugatti Type 57S Aérolithe/Aéro Coupé/Atlantic, 1935–1938; and Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport, 1948–1951.</ref> Italian designers saw that compared to a [[MG T-type|traditional open two-seat sports car]], the increase in weight and frontal area of an enclosed cabin for the driver and mechanic could be offset by the benefits of [[Streamliner|streamlining]] to reduce [[Aerodynamic drag|drag]].<ref>Wood, p. 25.</ref> Independent ''carrozzeria'' ([[coachbuilder]]s) provided light and [[Weymann Fabric Bodies|flexible fabric coachwork]] for powerful short-wheelbase fast-touring [[chassis]] by manufacturers such as [[Alfa Romeo]]. Later, [[Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera|Carrozzeria Touring of Milan]] pioneered sophisticated ''[[superleggera]]'' (super light-weight) aluminum bodywork, allowing for even more aerodynamic forms.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.velocetoday.com/lifestyle/lifestyle_95.php |title=VeloceToday – Online Magazine for Italian Car Enthusiasts! |website=velocetoday.com|access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> The additional comfort of an enclosed cabin was beneficial for the [[Mille Miglia]] road- race held in Italy's often wintry north.<ref name=":30">{{cite web|url= http://www.velocetoday.com/lifestyle/lifestyle_95.php |title=The Development of the Grand Touring car |work=Veloce Today |last1=Vack |first1=Pete |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>

From the basic [[Fiat 508|Fiat 508 Balilla]] touring chassis came the SIATA<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/suffix/Fiat/Siata%20Balilla/Berlinetta%20Ghia.html|title=Fiat Siata Balilla Berlinetta Ghia - Racing Sports Cars |website=racingsportscars.com|access-date=18 April 2017}}</ref> and Fiat<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/suffix/Fiat/508CS%20MM/Berlinetta%20Ghia.html|title=Fiat 508CS MM Berlinetta Ghia - Racing Sports Cars |website=racingsportscars.com|access-date=18 April 2017}}</ref> aerodynamic ''gran turismo''-style ''Berlinetta Mille Miglias'' of 1933 and 1935.<ref name=":31">{{cite web|url= http://www.velocetoday.com/cars/cars_108.php|title=Balilla Berlinetta 'Mille Miglia'|website=Veloce Today |last1=Vack |first1=Pete |access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref> [[Siata]] was a Turin, Italy-based Fiat tuner, typical of a popular class of Italian artisan manufacturers of small ''gran turismo'', sports and racing cars—usually [[Fiat Automobiles|Fiat]] based—that came to be known in the 1970s as ''Etceterini'', such as [[Nardi (carmaker)|Nardi]], [[Abarth]], Ermini and, in 1946, [[Cisitalia]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.velocetoday.com/the-essential-etceterini/ |title=The Essential Etceterini|website=Veloce Today|last1=Vack|first1=Pete|access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref> The Fiat and SIATA ''berlinettas'', influenced by the successful [[Alfa Romeo 6C|Alfa Romeo 6C GT/GTC coupés]], competed in the Mille Miglia endurance race and were significant among Weymann and Superleggera enclosed sporting cars appearing in the 1930s. They featured tuned Fiat engine and chassis, and bespoke ''carrozzeria'', in common with the landmark post-war [[Cisitalia|Cisitalia 202 SC]], and are among the first [[Engine displacement|small-displacement]] ''gran turismos''.<ref name=":30" /><ref name=":31" /><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.velocetoday.com/fiat-508-balilla-mille-miglia-berlinetta/ |title=Fiat 508 Balilla Mille Miglia Berlinetta |website=velocetoday.com|language=en-US|access-date=14 June 2017}}</ref>

File:Alfa-Romeo 6C-1750-GTC-Touring.JPG|[[Alfa Romeo 6C]] 1750 GTC Berlinetta [[Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera|''carrozzeriacc touring'']] Mille Miglia 1932

Ferrari's response for the new Italian ''Gran Turismo Internazionale'' championship in 1951 was the road/race [[Ferrari 212 Export|Ferrari 212]]. Twenty-seven short-wheelbase competition versions called Export, some with increasingly popular ''gran turismo''-style ''berlinetta'' coupé coachwork, were produced for enthusiasts (Ferrari called the very first example 212 ''MM''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5654/Ferrari-212-MM-Vignale-Berlinetta.html |title=Ferrari 212 MM Vignale Berlinetta |website=ultimatecarpage.com|access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/0070m.212mm.htm |title=0070M 51 212 MM (Export) Berlinetta Vignale |website=barchetta.cc |access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>) while the road version was called ''Inter''. The Ferrari 212 Export featured long-range fuel tanks, high compression pistons and triple [[Weber carburetor|Weber 32 DCF carburettors]]; power was 170&nbsp;bhp from the 2600cc [[Ferrari Colombo engine|Gioacchino Colombo-designed 'short-block' V12 engine]], evolved from the earlier Ferrari 166 (2000cc) and 195 (2300cc).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11148/Ferrari-212-Export.aspx |title=1951 Ferrari 212 Export |website=conceptcarz.com |access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref> All versions came with the standard Ferrari five-speed non-synchromesh gearbox and hydraulic drum brakes.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.conceptcarz.com/z23142/Ferrari-212-MM.aspx|title=1951 Ferrari 212 MM |website=conceptcarz.com |access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref> All 1951 Ferraris shared a double tube frame chassis design evolved from the 166. [[Double wishbone suspension|Double-wishbone front suspension]] with [[transverse leaf spring]], and [[Suspension (vehicle)|live rear axle]] with [[semi-elliptic leaf spring]]s and [[radius rod]]s were employed.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Development of the 250GT Ferrari|journal=Motor Sport|issue=March 1963|page=174|last1=D. S. J.}}</ref> The Ferrari 212 Export (212 MM) ''gran turismo berlinetta'' (chassis No. 0070M) debuted in first-place overall at the April 1951 Coppa Inter-Europa, driven by Luigi Villoresi,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Monza-1951-04-15.html|title=Europa 1951 > Race Results |work=Racing Sports Cars |access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/0070m.212mm.htm |title=212 MM (Export) Berlinetta Vignale |website=barchetta.cc |access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> and in June (chassis no. 0092E) was first in the ''gran turismo'' category at the [[Coppa della Toscana]] driven by Milanese Ferrari concessionaire and proprietor of Scuderia Guastalla, Franco Cornacchia.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/0092e.212export.htm|title=212 Export s/n 0092E |website=barchetta.cc |access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Coppa_della_Toscana-1951-06-03-4699.html|title=Coppa della Toscana 1951 – Race Results |work=Racing Sports Cars|access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://wsrp.wz.cz/nonchamp1951.html|title=Non Championship Races 1951 |work=World Sports Racing Prototypes |access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/13164/lot/204/ |title=The ex-Franco Cornacchia, 1953 Coppa Intereuropa-winning,1952 Ferrari 212/225 Inter Berlinetta 0237EU |website=bonhams.com |access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref> The 212 Export continued to serve Ferrari well in the Sports and GT categories until replaced by the 225 S, and although it would later be overshadowed by the internationally famous [[Ferrari 250|250 GT]], the 212 Export was an important model in the successful line of Colombo-engined V12 GT cars that made Ferrari legendary.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.supercars.net/cars/2310.html|title=1951→1952 Ferrari 212 Export |website=supercars.net |access-date=2 March 2016|date=16 April 2016}}</ref>

Four ''semi-ufficiali'' works B20 GTs, together with a number of privateer entrants, were sent to the Mille Miglia in April 1951, where the factory [[Giovanni Bracco|Bracco]] / [[Umberto Maglioli|Maglioli]] car finished second overall, behind only a Ferrari sports racer of twice the engine capacity. Lancia Aurelias swept the GT 2.0 Liter division.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Mille_Miglia-1951-04-29.html|title=Mille Miglia 1951 – Race Results – Racing Sports Cars|website=racingsportscars.com|access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> In June 1951, Bracco was partnered with the "father of GT racing" himself, [[Giovanni Lurani|Johnny Lurani]], to race a B20 GT at Le Mans, where they were victorious in the 2.0 liter sportscar division, placing a very creditable 12th overall. A 1–2 finish at the famous Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.barchetta.cc/all.Ferraris/coppa-d-oro---story/index.html |title=Coppa d'Oro – Story |website=barchetta.cc |access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> among other victories including the 6 Ore di Pescara,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thornleykelham.com/1950-ferrari-195s/1951-mille-miglia-lancia-aurelia-b20gt-series-1/#ad-image-3 |title=1951 ex-Mille Miglia, ex-Le Mans, Lancia Aurelia B20GT » Thornley Kelham |website=thornleykelham.com |access-date=2 September 2016 |archive-date=5 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805215841/https://www.thornleykelham.com/1950-ferrari-195s/1951-mille-miglia-lancia-aurelia-b20gt-series-1/#ad-image-3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> rounded out an astonishing debut racing season for this ground-breaking car, winning its division in the Italian GT Championship for Umberto Castiglioni in [[:it:Risultati sportivi della Lancia Aurelia|1951]]. Lancia B20 GTs would go on to win the over 2.0 liter Italian GT Championship in 1953, 1954 and 1955 with the [[Lancia Aurelia#Third series|B20-2500]].

=== 1952 Fiat 8V "Otto Vu" Zagato ===

A surprise to the international press,<ref name=":102">{{cite web|url= http://www.rmsothebys.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1064169 |title=1953 Fiat 8V Coupé by Ghia |work=RM Sotheby's |access-date=11 March 2016|date=2017-10-18}}</ref> who were not expecting a ''gran turismo berlinetta'' from Italy's largest manufacturer of everyday standard touring models, the [[Fiat 8V|Fiat 8V "Otto Vu"]] was unveiled at the [[Geneva Motor Show|Geneva Salon]] in March 1952 to international acclaim. Although not raced by the factory, the Otto Vu ''was'' raced by a number of private owners. Vincenzo Auricchio and Piero Bozzinio raced to fifth in the ''gran turismo'' category of the 1952 Mille Miglia, and Ovidio Capelli placed third in the GT 2000 cc class at the [[Coppa della Toscana]] in June, with a special race-spec lightweight [[Zagato]] coupe; the GT category overall at this event was won by Franco Cornacchia's Ferrari 212 Export (refer above).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Coppa_della_Toscana-1952-06-01.html |title=Quarta Coppa della Toscana 1952 > Race Results |work=Racing Sports Cars |access-date=11 March 2016}}</ref> Capelli and the 8V Zagato topped this accomplishment by winning the GT category of the Pescara 12 Hours in August, ahead of two Lancias.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Pescara-1952-08-16-2079.html|title=12 h Pescara 1952 > Race Results |work=Racin Sports Cars|access-date=11 March 2016}}</ref> The new Fiat 8V garnered sufficient competition points over the season to become the national two-liter GT Champion (a feat it repeated every year until 1959).

[[Elio Zagato]], the coachbuilder's son,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.zagato.it/en/timeline/|title=Timeline – Zagato |work=Zagato |access-date=2017-03-28 |language=en-US |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105708/http://www.zagato.it/en/timeline/ |archive-date=28 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> was successful in competition with the Otto Vu in 1954 and 1955,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/results/Elio-Zagato-I.html |title=Elio Zagato |work=Racing Sports Cars |access-date=11 March 2016}}</ref> attracting further customer interest and leading Zagato to eventually develop two different GT racing versions.<ref name=":102" /> Upon his passing in 2009, Elio Zagato was described as a leading figure of Italian GT racing and design:

<blockquote>Elio Zagato, who has died aged 88, was one of the leading figures of Italian Gran Turismo (GT) racing and car-body design. In the 1950s, driving a Zagato-bodied Fiat 8V, Elio emerged as the consummate gentleman racer in Italian GT championship events. Zagato, his father's firm, provided the lithe, lightweight aluminium bodies for many of the Lancias, Alfa Romeos, Abarths and Maseratis that dominated these meetings. Elio won 82 races out of the 150 he entered, and won four of the five championships he entered. Working with the chief stylist [[Ercole Spada]], Zagato produced some of the most beautiful GT designs of the era; spare and muscular cars such as the [[Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato|Aston Martin DB4GTZ]], the [[Alfa Romeo Giulietta (750/101)|Alfa Romeo Junior TZ and SZ]], and the [[Lancia Flaminia|Lancia Flaminia Sport]]. These were minimalist shapes bereft of superfluous trim that introduced phrases such as "double bubble" roof to the car body design language: twin shallow domes, devised by Elio, to give extra head room and strengthen the roof. For lightness, Zagato pioneered the use of Perspex and of aerodynamics, with trademark forms such as the split or stub tail. Indeed, Elio would take prototypes out on the [[Autostrade of Italy|autostrada]] covered in wool tufts in order to test [[Aerodynamics|air flow]] over the body.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/26/elio-zagato-obituary |title=Elio Zagato obituary| last=Buckley |first=Martin |date=2009-10-26 |work=The Guardian |access-date=2017-03-28 |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref></blockquote>

The [[Germany|German]] automotive industry was devastated by the second World War, but in the post-war period a small number of firms brought it to prominence again.<ref name=":28" /> The emergence of the classic [[Porsche 356]] is covered in the accompanying [[sports car]] article. In 1957 author John Stanford wrote:<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/person/cecil-clutton |title=Book Review |date=June 1947 |work=Motor Sport Magazine (archive) |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1957/42/sports-car |title=Books for Christmas |date=December 1957 |work=Motor Sport Magazine (archive) |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref> "The post-war [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] sports cars are in a way even more remarkable than those of [[Porsche]]. The firm was particularly badly hit by the war and it was several years before anything but a nominal production of cars could be undertaken. In 1951 appeared the [[Mercedes-Benz W186|"300"]], a luxurious and fast touring car with a single-camshaft six-cylinder engine of 2996 c.c. and chassis derived from the pre-war cars with swing-axle rear suspension. The [[Mercedes-Benz W188|"300S"]] was a three-carburetor edition, but in 1952 great interest was aroused by the almost invincible performance in sports-car racing of a team of prototype cars of extremely advanced and interesting design. By 1954 these had undergone sufficient development to be placed on the market as the [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SL|"300SL"]], one of the costliest and most desirable cars of our time. The conventional chassis has been abandoned in favor of a complex structure of [[Space frame|welded tubes]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/classic/history/mercedes-benz-300-sl-gullwing-w-198/ |title=Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" (W 198) |date=2014-12-19 |website=mercedes-benz.com |access-date=2017-05-20|language=en-US}}</ref> although the coil spring suspension is retained, and exceptionally large brakes are fitted, inboard at the rear. The engine is sharply inclined to the near-side in the interests of a low bonnet-line, and with [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]] [[fuel injection]] produces 240 b.h.p. at 6,000 r.p.m. Claimed maximum speed is in excess of 160 m.p.h. and although the car is by no means small, [[dry weight]] has been kept to 23 [[Hundredweight|cwt]]. The depth of the multi-tubular frame prevents the use of conventional side-hinged doors and these cars are fitted with the roof-hinged "gull-wing" doors which characterize an exceedingly handsome and practical car. An open touring version is available. In competition the "300SL" has become a powerful contender, and abetted by the success of the [[Mercedes-Benz W196|Grand Prix cars]] [and "[[Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR|300 SLR]]"] has captured a substantial portion of the export market."<ref name=":28">{{cite book|title=The Sports Car: Development and Design |last=Stanford |first=John |publisher=B.T. Batsford |year=1957|pages=178–212|chapter=Since the War}}</ref>

File:Mercedes 300SL Coupe vr silver EMS(1240346857).jpg|[[Mercedes-Benz 300 SL]]

File:Mercedes-Benz 300SL300 CoupeSL hrGullwing silver(4361015614) EMS(cropped).jpg|Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

{{quote|In the Mille Miglia of 1956 the first of the lightweight grand touring ''coupés,'' driven by [[Olivier Gendebien|Gendebien]], battled with the Mercedes 300SL of [[Paul Alfons von Metternich-Winneburg|Metternich]] and Einsendel<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/Wittigo-Einsiedel-D.html |title=Wittigo Einsiedel (D) – Racing Sports Cars |website=racingsportscars.com |access-date=2017-01-21}}</ref> to come in fifth overall and first in G.T. over 2,000 c.c. The G.T. Ferrari had arrived!| Motor Ssport, March 1963.<ref name=":10" />}}

File:Alfa Romeo 19388C 29002900B BBerlinetta Speciale Le Mans Touring 1938 Museo Storico OCT 2015 (cropped).jpg|1938 Alfa Romeo 2900B ''carrozzeria'' touring Le Mans

Italy's national governing body of motorsport was the ''Commissione Sportiva Automobilistica Italiana'' (CSAI).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.csai.aci.it/ |title=CSAI |website=csai.aci.it |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> [[Giovanni Lurani|Count Giovanni Lurani Cernuschi]] (popularly known as Johnny Lurani) was a key commissioner.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/dl.htm |title=The Golden Era of GP Racing 1934–40 |website=kolumbus.fi |access-date=4 September 2016 |archive-date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021034743/http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/dl.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was also a senior member of the world governing body, the ''[[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]]'' (FIA).<ref name=":23">{{cite web|url= http://www.historicracing.com/driver_az.cfm?type=drivers_alpha&tStartRow=1&AlphaIndex=L&driverID=7749 |title=Giovanni Lurani, obit.|website=historicracing.com |last1=Silva|first1=Allesandro|access-date=15 February 2016 |url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160507173501/http://historicracing.com/driver_az.cfm?type=drivers_alpha&tStartRow=1&AlphaIndex=L&driverID=7749 |archive-date=7 May 2016}}</ref>

Lurani was instrumental in designing the regulations for the Italian 1937 ''Turismo Nazionale'' championship, whereby production vehicles approved by the CSAI were raced with the original chassis and engine layout as specified in the factory catalog and available for customers to buy;<ref>The concepts of production (or "touring") car racing and homologation (meaning "official approval") originate with the regulations for the inaugural [[1923 24 Hours of Le Mans|1923 24 Heures du Mans]], credited to: Charles Faroux, a motoring journalist for ''La Vie Automobile;'' Georges Durand, Secretary General of ''[[Automobile Club de l'Ouest|l'Automobile Club de l'Ouest]]''; and Emile Coquille, Managing Director of the French branch of the [[Rudge-Whitworth]] detachable-wire-wheel company. The regulations required for each entry a formal document swearing thirty identical examples had been produced conforming strictly to the manufacturer's catalog, and conceiving "of a day-long touring car race featuring the cars, equipment, accessories, fuels and lubricants normal motorists could actually buy" and "presaging the entire Grand Touring concept".--''Le Mans: Before the 24'' by Charles ("Chuck") Dressing, Radio Le Mans, Brumos Racing; originally published on www.speedvision.com in 2000.</ref> engines could be tuned and bored out, but the bodywork had to conform to regulations. The CSAI were concerned that FIA (known as AIACR at the time) '[[Sports car racing|Annexe C]]'<ref name=":21">{{cite web|url= http://historicdb.fia.com/regulations/period-appendix-c |title=Regulations - Period Appendix C {{!}} FIA Historic Database |website=historicdb.fia.com |access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref> Sports cars were becoming little more than thinly-disguised two-seat [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] racers, far removed from the cars ordinary motorists could purchase from the manufacturers' catalogs.<ref name=":19">{{cite web|url= http://forums.autosport.com/topic/36913-campionato-italiano-sport-1937-1965/?p=727413 |title=Campionato Italiano Sport 1937–1965 |work=Autosport |last1=McKinney |first1=David—editor/sub-editor, Motor Racing, Historic Race & Rally, Historic Racing, Victory LaneDavid |access-date=15 February 2016}}</ref>

The CSAI was shut down by the Italian [[Fascism|Fascist]] government under [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] at the end of 1937, and replaced with a new organization called FASI.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://8w.forix.com/40s-nice.html |title=8W – When? – Racing in the 40s |website=8w.forix.com |access-date=30 November 2016|quote=A federation of teams and drivers affiliated with the Italian Olympic Committee.}}</ref> The [[National Fascist Party|Italian Fascists]], as in [[Nazi Germany]], sought control of motor racing as an important vehicle for national prestige and [[propaganda]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://eu.eot.su/2015/11/05/the-rule-of-italian-fascism-political-formation-and-fascist-practices-part-ii/ |title=The rule of Italian fascism |work=Essence of Time |access-date=15 February 2016 |date=5 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.grandprixhistory.org/mille_miglia_history.htm |title=Mille Miglia - History |website=grandprixhistory.org |date=November 2007 |access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref><ref>"The nationalist Fascist government promoted Italian motorsport as one of the pillars of its sporting propaganda under Il Duce Benito Mussolini, who embraced motorsport as one of the most important activities of the new Fascist era."[http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/gp2701.htm --http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/gp2701.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630064926/http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/gp2701.htm |date=30 June 2019 }}</ref> FASI replaced ''Turismo Nazionale'' with the less strictly regulated ''Sports Nazionale'' championship, which ran in 1938 and 1939.<ref name=":19" /><ref>"The nationalist Fascist government promoted Italian motorsport as one of the pillars of its sporting propaganda under Il Duce Benito Mussolini, who embraced motorsport as one of the most important activities of the new Fascist era."--http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/gp2701.htm</ref>

After this race, governing body CSAI officially introduced a new category, called ''Gran Turismo Internazionale'', for 1950.<ref name=":4">{{cite book|title=Alfa Romeo & Mille Miglia|date=2010 |publisher=Giorgio Nada Editore|isbn=978-88-7911-504-9 |location=Vimodrone (Milano)|pages=112, 115|last1=Curami|first1=Andrea}}</ref> The regulations were drawn up by Johnny Lurani and fellow Italian motor racing journalist and organizer Corrado Filippini,<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.velocetoday.com/racing/racing_19.php |title=VeloceToday – |website=velocetoday.com |access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref> requiring for qualification the production of thirty models per year,<ref name="Ottu Vu - Fiat's Masterpiece"/> thereby ruling out, for the time being, Ferrari's hand-built ''berlinettas''. Nonetheless, Ferrari 166 (including the upgraded MM - Mille Miglia - version) were produced and raced in sports car categories as both open ''barchettas'' and closed ''berlinettas,'' including winning the 1950 Mille Miglia outright.<ref name=":25" /><ref name=":26">{{cite web|url= http://www.grandprixhistory.org/mille_miglia_1950.htm |title=Mille Miglia - 1950 |website=grandprixhistory.org |date=29 August 2010 |access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref>

For 1951, the CSAI organized an Italian national championship for the ''Gran Turismo Internazionale'' category in four classes: 750, 1,500, 2,000, and over 2,000 cc. Interest was attracted from manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, Ferrari, Fiat and SIATA. The championship was held over ten events, including all the classic long-distance road races (the Giro di Sicilia, the Mille Miglia, the Coppa della Toscana, the Giro dell'Umbria, the Coppa d' Oro delle Dolomiti, the Giro delle Calabrie and the Stella Alpina) as well as three circuit races (the Coppa Inter-Europa at Monza, the Circuito di Caracalla night-race in Rome, and the 6 Ore di Pescara).<ref>{{cite book|title=Porsche & Mille Miglia|date=2004|publisher=Giorgio Nada Editore|isbn=978-88-7911-320-5 |location=Vimodrone (Milan – Italy)|page=15|last1=Curami|first1=Andrea}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.roadbookmagazine.ch/fr_FR/ottovu-fiat/ |title=OttoVu, le chef d'œuvre de Fiat |work=RoadBook Magazine |access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref>

File:Ferrari23NTBC 25016 gt- Ferrari.jpg|Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta 1956 -1961

File:Bonhams - The Paris Sale 2012 - Aston Martin DB4GT Coupé - 1961DB4 -GT 017LC22.jpg|Aston Martin DB4 GT 1961