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The term "Gran Turismo" is a direct Italian translation
of "Grand Touring". Al though it is applied to a class of
automobiles today, it predates the automobile by a
considerable amounnt of time. In England, as far back as
the 17th Centrury, Peers of the Realm and mambers of
wealthy families would go on long trips to travel the
european Continent. The jurney was called the "Gran
Tour", and it was an expected part of a young gentelman's
education. The Grand Tour could last for several years,
and was made by horse-drawn coach. Major Continental
cities, including Paris, and historic landmarks were stops
on the route. The very final destination was always
Rome, the center for European art and culture scince the
Renaissance. Thereparticipants would socialize with their
peers and scholars, and enroll in courses of academic
study to pursue a classical education. |
The carriages used for the Grand tour acquiered their name
"Gran Turismo" in Italian. When automobiles replaced
horse-drawn carriages as the conveyance of choice for
Grand tour participants in the early Twnetieth Century,
a certain type became popular. It was a fast and light
two-seater, but more comfortable and well-appointed
than a pure sports car. The genre reached its peak after
World War II, when limited-production and specially-
costructed two-seaters became popular with members
of royalty, wealthy sportsmen, and movie stars. Many
of these cars were raced, and the production car cate-
gory in European racing became known as Gran Turismo,
Grand Touring, or just plain GT. Regulations reqired
two-seat interiors, spare tires, and luggage capacity, and
in the 1950s at least, GT-class racers could be and were
driven to the track, raced, and driven home. Production-
based racing classes are still know as "GT" classes in
many racing series today. |
