I noticed this during the assassination sequence. I was wondering whether Bertolucci might have intended it as an ironic in-joke - i.e. the right wing fascist thug drives a left-hand drive car while the left wing anti-fascist drives a right-hand-drive car.
Any thoughts?
There was a gradual shift during the 20th century, from driving on the left side of the road to driving on the right side of the road. For driving on the left, a right hand drive is more convenient, and vice versa for driving on the right.
However, due to the gradual shift, and due to the fact that some people are more conservative, some driving manners persisted. Italy changed from left to right side during the Mussolini era in the 20's, therefore, one could think they would also shift for left hand drive in their cars.
For some peculiar reason, the upper class car makers in Italy kept making cars with right hand drive, though everybody was driving on the right, and therefore would have benefitted with a left hand drive. Car makers Alfa Romeo and Lancia didn't even produce left hand drive cars until the middle 1950's. So, if you were driving a Lancia, there was no alternative but continue driving on the right side of the road from the "wrong" side of the car. A peculiarity indeed, but true to life.
Thanks for your informative response.
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