His favorite was the Lancia Astura. This was the kind of car that made heads turn and jaws drop. Mussolini had custom versions made for him. Some were open-top cabriolets built for parades. Picture Mussolini waving from a gleaming chassis, the kind of scene designed to impress the masses and cement his image.
But the Astura wasn’t all glitz. Mussolini also owned streamlined, sleek models meant for private use. Quietly powerful, these cars showed he cared about performance as much as pomp. The difference between the parade cars and these private gems told a story: Mussolini wanted to show off, but also demanded substance under the shine.
A love affair with Lancia was a political statement. Mussolini wanted to back Italian industry and showcase a homegrown brand that matched his vision of national strength. His cars represented a defiant stance, wrapped in Italian steel, built to make a statement.
Where image is everything, Mussolini’s choice in cars was as calculated as his speeches. The Lancia Astura was his chariot, carrying more than just a man—it carried a nation’s pride, for better or worse.
