The event’s opening speeches from the design houses underscored their belief in Italian Automotive Design as a distinct and leading part of today’s automotive design industry, but it was the cars that were the stars of the evening. They were a unique juxtaposition of concepts from three famous design houses, with the earliest cars on display a particularly compelling sight for the many who have only ever seen them in pictures.

Bertone’s slightly Fiat X1/9-like Ferrari 308-based Rainbow from 1976 wowed with its crisp angular lines and exquisite detailing: alloy wheel ribs that echo in its bumpers, rear pillar and engine cover; its deep hood recesses with integral pop-up lights; its interior with door inners that look fresh even today – and very similar to those of the Ford 427 concept from the 2004 Detroit Auto Show!

Pininfarina’s Jaguar XJ Spider also displayed some advanced elements, most notably the body side crease that has only just appeared on a production Jaguar with the new XK, but also neat ideas not seen since, such as the small surface crease above the door button that is hooked by two fingers to pull open the door.

Ital Design’s odd looking Alfa Romeo Alfasud Caimano seemed uncomfortable next to these two but again impressed with features that in many ways are still advanced today, such as head rests that puncture through the seat back form and a handbrake that sits flush within its surround. Their Lancia Medusa from 1980 was much smaller in the flesh that expected but notable for its pioneering door design (later realised in production in the Isuzu Piazza), and secondary control buttons mounted on its steering wheel.

Bertone’s 1988 Genesis monospace with mid-mounted V12 Lamborghini engine has themes that are still appearing in contemporary concept and student designs. And Pininfarina’s 1989 Mythos still wows with its theme of hood form sweeping back over the wings to the sides and into the rear section that then dramatically pushes forward over the front of the car.