Italy
The then President of Italy, Giovanni Gronchi, personally ordered four custom-built Lancia Flaminia limousines for a state visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1961. The cars, all of which are landaulettes, were designed by Pininfarina and based on an extended wheelbase from the standard saloon. Two of the cars are still in service today for state occasions.
Sandro Pertini drove a Maserati Quattroporte III during his tenure.
The current presidential car is an armoured Maserati Quattroporte complete with Italian flags, while the prime minister uses a similar vehicle. The government fleet also includes Audi A6 and A8, Lancia Thesis and Lancia Thesis Stola S85 (limousine), Lancia Thema, BMW E60 and E65, Mercedes-Benz W212 and W221, Alfa Romeo 159 and 166 models. Lancia deliverd in 2012 a complete new armoured Lancia Thesis, to the Quirinale palace for president Giorgio Napolitano.
There is also a curious three-wheeled vehicle Piaggio Ape Calessino, at the president's service in his residence "Villa Rosebery" in Naples. It's blue, decorated with the livery of the Presidency of the Italian Republic, with trims in wood and leather seats. The Ape Calessino is a rarity that few have the opportunity to see as it run only inside of the park. It was donated by Roberto Colaninno, a head of Piaggio industries. Inside, a brass plaque recalls the date of the donation and presidential destination.
Read more about this topic: Official State Car
Famous quotes containing the word italy:
“I think sometimes that it is almost a pity to enjoy Italy as much as I do, because the acuteness of my sensations makes them rather exhausting; but when I see the stupid Italians I have met here, completely insensitive to their surroundings, and ignorant of the treasures of art and history among which they have grown up, I begin to think it is better to be an American, and bring to it all a mind and eye unblunted by custom.”
—Edith Wharton (1862–1937)
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—Alexander Herzen (1812–1870)
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—Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835–1910)