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1954 Alfa Romeo BAT 7 | Photo by Peter Harholdt
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1955 Chrysler Ghia Gilda | Photo by Michael Furman
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1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero | Photo by Peter Harholdt
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1999 Dallara IRL Car | Photo by Wes Duenkel
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1976 Lamborghini Urraco | Photo by Wes Duenkel
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1939 Fiat 508C Balilla 1100 | Photo by Wes Duenkel
Bellissima! The Italian Automotive Renaissance, 1945–1975
Beginning May 27, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts shows off a sleek new collection in Bellissima! The Italian Automotive Renaissance, 1945–1975. Produced during the post–World War II economic revival, the assembly of Italian coach-built cars, concept cars, and motorcycles includes stunners by Alfa Romeo, Bizzarrini, Ducati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, and Maserati. If you're keen on rare items with four wheels, keep an eye out for the Alfa Romeo BAT models 5, 7, and 9 from the 1950s and a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Guest curator Ken Gross returns to the Frist after his 2013 hit presentation, Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles, to present these influential examples of advanced automotive design. 919 Broadway, 615-244-3340; fristcenter.org
Macchine Italiane: A Tour of Italy's Motoring Spirit
A day before the Bellissima! opening, Nashville's Lane Motor Museum will highlight over three dozen Italian vehicles in Macchine Italiane: A Tour of Italy's Motoring Spirit. Showcasing Italian workmanship from 1936-2012, the exhibit includes race cars, motorcycles and even bicycles from the museum's existing collection. See a ten-car evolution of the Fiat 500 and don't miss the cherry red Lamborghini Uracco! 702 Murfreesboro Pk, 615-742-7445; lanemotormuseum.org