An Italian hairstylist has spent more than €80,000 (NZ$140,000) covering her car in human hair.

Paying tribute to her profession, Maria Lucia Mugno holds the official Guinness World Record for owning the world's hairiest car.

Taking her more than 150 hours to complete, Maria's Fiat 500 is now concealed in 100kg of women's natural hair that she acquired from India.

BARCROFT MEDIA Italian hairstylist Maria Lucia Mugno shows off her Fiat 500 that is covered in 100kg of human hair.

The 47-year-old said: "This is my car and it's the hairiest car in the world.

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"My inspiration came from a dare, a bet, whilst I was working. My friend didn't think I was capable of making a car that was entirely covered in real hair.

"And when he saw my finished work of art, he was completely shocked by what I'd made.

"Thanks to my work on the car, I won the first Guinness World Record for it!"

Maria's car is still possible to drive, as she made it street legal and refrained from covering the engine in hair.

"This would have created a fire hazard," Maria said.

"I drive my car, more or less, once a week and more so if there's an occasion.

"People are always very shocked by it, because it's something new.

"At first sight, they think it's like a creature, an animal, a very weird thing.

"When they see it's actually hair, it disgusts them. But they do understand that it took a meticulous process to construct."

With 1kg of hair costing €800 ($140), Maria calculated that she had spent €80,000 (NZ$140,000) on the transformation of her car.

Maria also has to 'service' her vehicle once a week in order to keep it clean and in a respectable condition.

She said: "I'd say that my car needs servicing once a week, particularly the front, the dashboard, the steering wheel need to be kept clean.

"We keep it clean like we would if it was for clients or if it was a real person.

"We shampoo it, we brush it, we trim it, it's a systematic operation with the car's hair.

"I enjoy looking after my car."

Despite some of the negativity she has received in the past, Maria is proud of her creation and has the backing of her family.

"I am immensely proud of my car because it's given me a lot of satisfaction in life," she added.

"My children think what I've done with the car is wonderful, they've been really supportive of me.

"I have contemplated working on other cars, but I'd like there to be only one in the world."

- Barcroft Media