Police Cars Extravaganza - Part 3: Panthers and Gazelles Patrolling Italian Roads

Roarington’s journey to discover the strangest and most high-performing police cars worldwide stops this week in Italy. In the Bel Paese, there are essentially two main law enforcement agencies: the Carabinieri and the Polizia di Stato. In both cases, the patrol cars are associated with animal symbolism, particularly fast species such as the "panther", which appeared as the emblem of the Squadra Mobile of the Polizia di Stato in 1952 on the Alfa Romeo 1900, specially outfitted by Carrozzeria Colli of Milan.

The 1952 Alfa Romeo 1900 of the Polizia di Stato, the first "panther" in service.

During the early 1960s in Rome, to deter robberies and kidnappings that led to criminals escaping in cars faster than those of law enforcement, the Chief of Police approved the purchase of a Ferrari 250 GT/E. Its spectacular feats became legendary. Today, in the hands of a collector, it is often seen at events.

In the early 1960s, the Chief of Police purchased a Ferrari 250 GT/E to deter criminals.

Unlike the police, the emblem of the Carabinieri’s Nucleo Operativo Radiomobile, the "gazelle", has remained unchanged since its introduction with the new blue-and-white livery in 1972. A unique feature of the emblem is that the gazelle always faces forward on both the right and left sides, just like the Carabinieri flame, which is always against the wind. One of the first "gazelles" to wear the new colors was the Alfa Romeo Giulia Super.

One of the first Carabinieri "gazelles" was the Alfa Romeo Giulia Super.

The Polizia di Stato has shared many vehicles with the Carabinieri over the years, especially Alfa Romeos, such as the Giulia Super, which was modified into a Giardinetta version by Carrozzeria Grazia of Bologna to allow for highway patrol duties. This special modification had only two front seats, maximizing space in the rear compartment for law enforcement equipment.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Giardinetta of the Polizia di Stato, used for highway patrol.

In recent years, other supercars have joined Italy’s law enforcement fleet: starting in 2004, Lamborghini donated two Gallardo models to the Polizia di Stato for urgent operations such as organ and plasma transportation. A special refrigeration system was installed in the front trunk to maintain the correct temperature.

The Lamborghini Gallardo of the Polizia di Stato, used for transporting organs and plasma.

The collaboration continued with two more models, this time Huracans, donated in 2017 to replace the Gallardos. No high-speed chases, but a crucial service to save lives, which continues to this day. In 2024, the fleet welcomed a Urus Performante, Lamborghini’s first SUV.

In 2017, Lamborghini donated two Huracans to the Polizia di Stato to replace the Gallardos.

As for the Carabinieri, who could forget the two Lotus Evora S models donated by the British manufacturer in 2011 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification? Like the Lamborghini police cars, the Lotus models were equipped with special refrigerators behind the passenger seat for organ transport.

To celebrate Italy’s 150th anniversary in 2011, Lotus donated two Lotus Evora S, also used for organ transport.

In 2017, another Alfa Romeo joined the Carabinieri fleet: the Giulia Quadrifoglio, used primarily for organ transport and official escort services during institutional ceremonies. A great tradition that continues.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio joined the Carabinieri fleet in 2017.