The boss’ cars
Giovanni ‘Gianni’ Agnelli’s influence went far beyond his position as chairman of Fiat, the Italian car company founded by his grandfather in 1899.
A trained lawyer, Agnelli was intertwined with his country’s politics and became a key figure in the fashion world. Oh, and he owned a football club.
But he was perhaps best known for his 30-year term (1966-1996) as Fiat’s boss, during which time the marque absorbed Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati.
Unsurprisingly, the powerful industrialist owned an impressive selection of cars during his lifetime (he died in 2003), including this interesting trio of Italian classics – and you can bid on them now.
Decisions, decisions
RM Sotheby’s is hosting no-reserve, sealed-bid auctions for this one-of-three Fiat 130 Familiare, the Zagato-bodied Lancia Thema and the restored Fiat Panda 4x4.
Bidding closes at 6pm on 24 April 2025.
Presented in chronological order and starting with the unique 1974 Fiat 130 Familiare built specially for l’Avvocato (the lawyer), here are the stories behind these classic cars once owned by Gianni Agnelli.
1. 1974 Fiat 130 Familiare (est: £145-250,000/€170-300,000)
Gianni Agnelli commissioned a few one-off, coachbuilt creations for his personal use, including a Lancia Delta Integrale Spider, a Ferrari 360 Barchetta and a Testarossa Spider.
So, what makes this Fiat 130 so special?
For starters, it was one of just four Familiare estates built by Officina Introzzi for the Agnelli family.
1974 Fiat 130 Familiare (cont.)
This example, the first Fiat 130 Familiare produced, is perhaps the most special, though.
It was Agnelli’s car and he owned it for 11 years.
Unlike the other Fiat 130 Familiares, which had two-tone paintwork, this car was the only one fitted with faux-wood panelling.
The wicker basket, which Agnelli used to transport his skis, was unique, too.
1974 Fiat 130 Familiare (cont.)
As with all four of the saloon-based Fiat 130 Familiares, Gianni Agnelli’s car was fitted with the 162bhp 3.2-litre V6 used in the standard saloon.
Reportedly, one of the 130 Familiares disappeared without a trace, so this is one of three known survivors.
A cream-and-brown 130 Familiare, once owned by Gianni’s brother, Umberto Agnelli, belongs to Stellantis Heritage.
2. 1985 Lancia Thema Familiare by Zagato (est: £65-135,000/€80-160,000)
The Lancia Thema saloon replaced the Gamma as the Italian marque’s flagship saloon car in the 1980s.
Naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions of the Lampredi-designed, 2-litre, twin-cam engine, a 2.8-litre V6, a 2.4-litre turbodiesel and even a Ferrari V8 were among the various motors installed in the Thema throughout its decade-long production run.
Two Zagato estate prototypes were built, and this was the only one with the PRV V6 unit.
1985 Lancia Thema Familiare by Zagato (cont.)
Coachbuilders Zagato and Pininfarina were tasked with creating an estate body for the Thema.
The latter’s proposal won, and the Pininfarina-penned load-lugger joined the Lancia Thema range in 1986.
Zagato might have been pipped for the contract, but two prototypes were built as part of its unsuccessful bid, including this car.
1985 Lancia Thema Familiare by Zagato (cont.)
One of the most obvious differences between this rare Lancia Thema Familiare prototype and the Pininfarina-designed production car is the former’s black D-pillar, which gives the rear window the appearance of a wraparound ’screen.
This car was bought by Gianni Agnelli in the mid-1980s. The Italian businessman used it for two years.
Today, it’s got 92,329km (57,371 miles) on the clock.
3. 1986 Fiat Panda 4x4 (est: £17-33,500/€20-40,000)
The cheerful Fiat Panda 4x4 was a go-anywhere hatchback designed to cope with Italy’s toughest rural roads.
The mini mud-plugger, built with off-road components from Austrian firm Steyr-Puch, joined the Panda range in 1983 – and this one was acquired by Gianni Agnelli in 1986.
1986 Fiat Panda 4x4 (cont.)
Gianni Agnelli purchased this car for trips to St Moritz in the winter and he kept it for 15 years.
It’s a facelifted model, distinguishable by its one-piece side window (pre-1986 cars had quarterlights) and updated bumpers.
In 1986, the standard Fiat Panda switched to a coil-sprung rear suspension, but the 4x4 model retained the tried-and-tested, leaf-spring set-up.
1986 Fiat Panda 4x4 (cont.)
The current owner bought this Fiat Panda 4x4 about five years ago.
They commissioned a restoration, with the goal of returning the Panda to how it was when it was delivered to Gianni Agnelli.
The project was completed at the beginning of 2025, so this Fiat Panda should be box-fresh.
If any of these ex-Gianni Agnelli cars appeal to you, or you’d like to learn more about them, click here for further information.
You can submit bids for them now on the RM Sotheby’s website. The no-reserve auction will end at 6pm on 24 April 2025.
We hope you enjoyed this gallery. Please click the ‘Follow’ button above for more super stories from Classic & Sports Car.