Pirelli – the Italian motor company synonymous with super-fast sports cars, the intoxicating smell of burnt rubber and one of fashion’s most glamorous traditions, The Pirelli Calendar – is gearing up to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Digging through a truly expansive archive, believe us when we tell you that no expense has been spared to commemorate the occasion, paying tribute to all the company’s visual endeavours from artbooks and exhibitions at Pirelli’s Milanese exhibition space, Fondazione Pirelli, to the publishing of the calendar itself. (See some of the most iconic Pirelli archive images below)

Originally fashioned  as a gift to the companies’ many friends and VIP customers, the Pirelli Calendar was first launched in 1964, and has since gained huge cult status around the world with its elaborate, artistic, and oft-scantily clad photo shoots. Playing host to the creme de la creme of the art and fashion world, there isn’t a photographer (Peter Lindbergh, Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz) nor enthralling A-lister (Naomi Campbell, P. Diddy, Gisele Bundchen) the project hasn’t hosted in its 56-year reign, with this year’s iteration the brainchild of Bryan Adams. In fact, it was the Canadian musician and photographer who conjured up this year’s theme of On The Road, snapping up the likes of Saweetie, Cher and a silver bodypainted Iggy Pop in a celebration of true musical talent in all of its weird – and wonderful – manifestations.

But the celebrations don’t end here. In addition to spotlighting the companies truly insane visual history, Pirelli is also releasing special commemorative coins and even a new book, Thinking Ahead. Pirelli: 150 Years of Industry, Innovation and Culture. “We wanted to take a journey together through history but with our eyes on the future,” said Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera.

“Anticipating change is what Pirelli has done for 150 years thanks to the solidity of its entrepreneurial culture and ability to be a protagonist of the present. We felt it important to share this story with our city, our country and all the international groups and communities that we work with every day. A thank you to all the 30,000 people who every day at Pirelli build our history.”

Check out Pirelli’s 150th Anniversary countdown here.