Rare wildlife seen at the Mille Miglia. A 1952 Ermini 1100 Sport with Motto body.
Story and Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
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This week we bring you Hugues Vanhoolandt’s photography of the Mille Miglia. As I went through the photos it almost seemed like a dream, a particularly beautiful dream. And in fact this does present an idyllic portrait of the Mille Miglia. Coming up, we’ll bring you the often tough reality, brought to you by one of it’s experienced entrants. [Ed.]
Called ‘la Corsa piu bella del mondo’ by Enzo Ferrari himself, the Mille Miglia remains a must see year after year for any classic car enthusiast. This year there was a record 430 entrants and many changes on the route from Brescia to Roma and back, with passages through Bassano del Grappa, Ancona and Pisa, towns not visited in the recent years.
Due to the longer route, a fourth day of rally was added, with a last stage between Bologna and Brescia. Although many cars are entered year after year, there are always some novelties to discover and it remains a pleasure to travel along the Italian roads, trying to capture the spirit of the most beautiful race in the world.
Held again on Piazza Vittoria, in the Brescia city center, the sealing ceremony is the occasion for the public to see the participating cars. Cisitalias and Oscas are of course favorites of the Italian crowd.
Entered this year by a Belgian female team, this Cisitalia 202 S MM spider finished 4th in the 1947 edition in the hands of Minetti-Facetti
1935 Fiat 508 CS MM berlinetta in the streets of Brescia.
This 1952 Osca MT4 1100 2AD gets some rest before starting a very long route.
In 1936, this Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 A, entered by the Scuderia Ferrari and driven by Pintacuda, finished 3rd overall behind two other 2900 As.
A nice discovery was this Fiat 1100/103 TV coupé bodied by Boano. TV stands for Turismo Veloce.
The Ferrari 212 Inter coupé Pinin Farina s/n 0265 EU was delivered new to Italian film director Roberto Rossellini for his wife Ingrid Bergman.
School is stopped to cheer the passage of the participants. Here a Lancia Augusta that took part to the original MM in 1935.
Everywhere the reception in the old towns is done with style like for this Cisitalia Colombo barchetta and its Japanese crew.
Another Cisitalia, this 202 S MM spider designed by Savonuzzi. It took part to the 1948 edition with Dusio and son.
A 1954 Maserati A6GCS/53 by Fantuzzi drives through the streets of Senigallia, on the Adriatic coast.
The crew of this Ferrari 340 America Touring coupé shows the '1000' Grazie, rewarding the ever enthusiastic crowd seen along the streets and roads of Italy.
One of the oldest, if not the oldest car of the field, the Alfa Romeo G1 of 1921. Imagine doing 1000 miles in this.
… or in this Dagrada Fiat 750 Siluro which was entered in the 1950 edition.
The crew of this Gilco Fiat 1100 Siluro makes sure that our photographer will take their photo. Gilco stands for Gilberto Colombo.
1950 Fiat 1100 Sport.
Fiat again but this time the 8V berlinetta from Zagato.
This Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B MM spider by Touring finished 9th of the 1938 edition in the hands of Franco Cortese. It wears the exact livery, plate and numbers (140) of the time.
Only produced in two examples, the Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva remains one of the most beautiful designs of Bertone. This one comes from the Alfa Romeo Museo Storico.
Alpine took part several times in the Mille Miglia and the Renault powered cars had many successes in the small classes. Here the A 106 MM of 1957.
A 1927 OM 665 Sport Superba Zagato on the way to the famous Futa pass, a milestone of the Mille Miglia.
1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Spider Brianza.
A 1955 Maserati 150 S on the roads of Tuscany.
A 1953 Moretti 750 S berlinetta called Alger Le Cap because of a journey of 16,000 kilometers through Africa by a Moretti. The early Morettis had virtually no Fiat components.
This 1952 Ferrari 225 S berlinetta Vignale took part to the Monaco Historic GP a few days before attending the MM. It did exactly the same back in 1952, finishing 10th in the MM with Bordoni and 4th at Monaco with Lucas.
I thought the Ermini was the most beautiful car I had ever seen until I scrolled down to the Cisitalia and then every time I scrolled down it got better!! Many thanks
Very interesting cars seldom seen or heard of.
Some British cars would have been nice.
Where are the British cars?? Did you not photograph an Aston or Bentley? Not every car was Italian.
For 13 years VeloceToday has been devoted solely to Italian, then adding French cars. However, recently we have included some British and German cars and subjects as part of VeloceToday, and to the extent that we can, we’ll do more in the future. Perhaps we can ask Hugues Vanhoolandt if he could supply us some from this year’s event. [Ed.]
I agree with mr Meschter. Fantastic cars and pics, Magic!
Great photos. I note not many French entries. Need a few more Citroen Traction Avant roadsters, Alpine, Deutsch Bonnet, Delahaye, Bugatti, etc.