1947 Cisitalia 202 Coupe by Pininfarina

This is one of the most important and influential car designs in automotive history. It wasn’t just a car—it was a turning point. When it debuted, it redefined what a car could look like, and its impact is still felt in automotive design today.

Photo by Evan Klein

The 1947 Cisitalia 202 Coupe is more than just a beautiful vintage car—it’s a landmark in automotive design. Styled by Pinin Farina, it was the first car to ditch the separate fenders and boxy lines of the prewar era in favor of one smooth, flowing shape. With its curvaceous body and low-slung profile, it looked like it was sculpted by the wind. When it debuted, it turned heads not just on the road, but in the art world too—eventually earning a permanent spot in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Beneath that timeless shape was a tuned-up Fiat engine, just over a liter in displacement, paired with a lightweight tubular chassis that made it feel agile and quick despite its modest horsepower. It wasn’t built to be a brute—it was built to glide, to carve corners gracefully, and to show the world that performance could come wrapped in elegance. The whole project was driven by Piero Dusio, a racing driver and entrepreneur who had a vision for creating small, sophisticated sports cars for the postwar elite.

Today, the Cisitalia 202 is considered one of the most influential cars ever made. Its design language helped shape early Ferraris and set the tone for Italian grand touring cars for decades. It’s a piece of rolling history—equal parts art, engineering, and Italian soul. If you ever get the chance to see one in person, take your time. It's the kind of car that rewards a slow walk-around and a long stare.