1980 Torino

At the 1980 Turin Motor Show, Italian coachbuilders and design houses showcased a series of concept vehicles that reflected the era’s fascination with aerodynamics, compact urban mobility, and avant-garde form. Among the standout participants were Bertone, Italdesign, Pininfarina, Ghia, and Michelotti—each contributing designs that were not only visually striking but also rich in experimental intent.

Bertone unveiled the Lamborghini Athon, a futuristic open-top concept designed by Marc Deschamps. Built on the chassis of the Lamborghini Silhouette, the Athon was powered by a 3.0-liter V8 engine and presented a sharply geometric form language. It featured a steeply raked windshield, integrated headlamps, and a unique control interface, representing Bertone’s continued commitment to innovation in both exterior and interior design.

Italdesign, under the direction of Giorgetto Giugiaro, introduced the Lancia Medusa. This four-door sedan concept prioritized aerodynamic efficiency, achieving a drag coefficient of just 0.263. Based on the Lancia Montecarlo platform, the Medusa incorporated recessed door handles, flush glass panels, and pop-up headlights, exemplifying Italdesign’s focus on seamless integration and airflow optimization.

Pininfarina commemorated its 50th anniversary by revealing the Ferrari Pinin—a four-door luxury sedan concept based on the Ferrari 400 platform. It marked the first time a four-door car bore the Ferrari badge. Designed by Diego Ottina with input from Leonardo Fioravanti, the Pinin explored the possibility of expanding Ferrari’s brand identity into the executive saloon segment, though it remained a one-off prototype.

Ghia, then operating under Ford ownership, presented the Ford Pockar, a compact urban concept. Named after “pocket car,” the Pockar emphasized efficient packaging and city-friendly proportions, featuring innovative solutions for interior space management.

Finally, Michelotti displayed several design studies, including a unique reinterpretation of the Daihatsu Taft and the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 NART Spider—a one-off roadster version of the iconic Daytona.