Il Ultimo: 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.

I’m just back from a press trip to Nashville, Tennessee. One of the wonderful things I got to experience there was an exhibit of ultra-rare vintage cars from Italy, at the beautiful Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

I raced (pun intended) to get this article published in Montecristo Magazine, with the hopes that many people could learn about the exhibit and have a chance to see it before it closes on October 9. I’d love for you to read and share my Frist Center’s “The Italian Automotive Renaissance” story.

Even if you’re not a car fan, you can’t help but admire the beautiful design of these vehicles (or, in a few cases, the bizarre design … yes, I’m talking to you Lancia Stratos HF Zero! (That’s the bronze wedge-shaped car on the left of this photo … 33 inches high and the front-windshield flips up to get in)).

Alfa Romeo BATs: Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnias

I was partial to the swoopy blue Il Ultimo (the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO), above, and the BATs — the Alfa Romeo Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnias with their super cool tail fins. That gorgeous grey-blue doesn’t hinder either!

I laughed out loud at the orange 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis, not so much because of the ludicrousness of this car, but because its design supposedly reflects everything Italians thought of Americans in the ’50s.

1955 Lincoln Indianapolis

Auto fans will also enjoy the Lane Motor Museum, a permanent collection of mostly European cars in Nashville. More details are in my Montecristo article.

Which car in the exhibit is your favourite?

Lots more writing on Nashville is to come; I was surprised by how much Nashville has to offer. If you’re planning a trip, the city’s VisitMusicCity.com tourism website will help with your trip planning.

Note: My trip was hosted by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, but, as usual, all the opinions in my articles are my own and no one from the tourism bureau or any of the companies I mention reviewed my articles.