Italy has long been the cradle of automotive passion, birthing some of the world’s most iconic marques—Ferrari, Maserati, Pagani, and Alfa Romeo to name a few. But from the quiet hills of Valfenera d’Asti, about 25 miles southeast of Turin, a new player is entering the arena with a thunderous roar. Meet the Automobili Mignatta Rina, a stripped-back, open-top sports car that marries old-world Italian craftsmanship with raw, analog performance.
At first glance, the Rina looks like it drove straight out of a 1960s racing poster. With its barchetta-style body, oval headlights, and exaggerated fender curves, the Rina channels design legends like the Maserati 450S and the Shelby Cobra. But don’t let its vintage styling fool you—the entire body and monocoque are made of hand-laid carbon fiber, sculpted for both beauty and performance.
Instead of a windshield, the Rina features twin aero visors, subtly perched in front of each seat to redirect wind just enough for its lucky occupants. It’s a visceral, exposed experience that’s more motorsport than motorway.
Underneath that sculpted bonnet is a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V-8, entirely free of turbos or superchargers. It breathes on its own terms and channels power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission—a combination that’s increasingly rare in today’s tech-laden sports car landscape.
While exact figures remain under wraps, we know that Italtecnica Engineering, the same team behind the 450-hp V-8 in the Nardone 928 restomod, has lent its expertise to the Rina. That means performance will likely be in the same ballpark—north of 400 horsepower and a torque curve built for drama.
Inside, the Rina is refreshingly analog. There’s not a single screen in sight. Instead, drivers are greeted by aluminum switches, carbon fibre panels, and rich brown leather. A central speedometer and a tachometer behind the steering wheel keep things focused on the driving experience, not software updates.
The cabin is more of a cockpit than anything else—bare-bones, deliberate, and unapologetically mechanical. It’s the kind of place where every shift is felt, every rev is heard, and every drive feels like an occasion.
The Rina rolls on staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, wrapped in ultra-sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres. Stopping power is supplied by Brembo brakes, featuring six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units in the rear. It’s clear this car is built for spirited driving on twisty B-roads and closed circuits—not city commuting.
Automobili Mignatta plans to build just 30 Rinas per year, each with a price tag starting around $290,000. That level of rarity, combined with its bespoke construction and purist ethos, ensures the Rina will be a collector’s gem from day one.
Sadly, U.S. road legality seems unlikely, but for those who can import or experience one abroad, the Rina represents something truly special: a last stand for visceral, analogue performance in an increasingly digital world.
The Automobili Mignatta Rina isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It’s focused, ferocious, and gloriously impractical. It’s what happens when a car is built not by committee, but by conviction. And in that way, the Rina is more than just a car—it’s a love letter to driving.
