The Epic Tale of the Mille Miglia Race: Daredevil Drivers & Record-Setting Triumphs

Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, driven by Pietro Ghersi for the Scuderia Ferrari racing team, as entry #18 at Coppa Messina on 15 May 1932. Ghersi is the one sitting in the car with goggles around his neck, looking away from the camera. Antonio Brivia is in the white drivers suit came 2nd in the race, with an identical car. This car was built in 1931 as an "8C 2300 Mille Miglia", but rebuilt by Zagato for the 1932 season. It appears the license number is "3201 MO", a car from Modena where Scuderia Ferrari had their headquarters. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Part 1: The History of the Mille Miglia The Mille Miglia was a legendary open-road endurance race that took place in Italy from 1927 to 1957. The race covered a distance of 1,000 miles, or "mille miglia" in Italian, and ran from Brescia to Rome and back.

The first Mille Miglia race took place in 1927, and it quickly became one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world. The race attracted some of the best drivers of the time, including Tazio Nuvolari, Stirling Moss, and Juan Manuel Fangio, and it was known for its challenging course and breathtaking scenery.

Tazio Nuvolari drives entry #72 to VICTORY in the 1947 Ferrari 125 S s/n 02C at Circuito Forli on 6 July 1947. This was one of the first Ferrari automobiles ever made. 6 July 1947. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

The Mille Miglia was also famous for its passionate fans, who lined the streets to cheer on the drivers and marvel at the incredible cars. The event was a celebration of Italian culture, style, and engineering prowess, and it drew spectators from around the world.

Spectators admire the olympic competitor Antonio Siddi at 1957 Mille Miglia in his Fiat 8V (not a Zagato, just a normal Fiat build). He had race #319 and did not complete the race. 12 May 1957. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Over the years, the Mille Miglia evolved and changed, but it remained a fixture of the motorsport world. In the 1930s, the race became dominated by German automakers, who used it as a platform to showcase their engineering skills and dominance on the road. The race was suspended during World War II, but it resumed in 1947 and continued until 1957.

Rudolf Caracciola and co-driver Wilhelm Sebastian win Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italia, on 12 April 1931 in Mercedes SSKL (W 06 RS) entry #87. They were the first to pass 100 km/h average speed, as they drove the 1,635 km Brescia–Rome and back, at 101,1 km/hour. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Despite its popularity, the Mille Miglia was also known for its dangers. The race was run on public roads, which were often narrow and winding, and accidents were common. In 1957, tragedy struck and a horrible crash led to the cancellation of the race and signalled the end of an era in motorsport history.

On May 12, 1957, during that year's Mille Miglia race, tragedy struck when driver Alfonso de Portago and his co-driver Edmund Nelson perished in a horrific crash. The accident occurred on a straight section of road between Cerlongo and Guidizzolo, in the town of Cavriana, approximately 70 km from Brescia, where the race began and ended. The catastrophic incident not only claimed the lives of de Portago and Nelson but also nine spectators, including five children. Prior to the race, de Portago had expressed his unease about participating in an event that he deemed too perilous to be conducted.

Photograph taken for the Bettman Archive and popularly known as "The Kiss of Death" (Il Bacio della Morte). It shows Linda Christian kissing Alfonso, Marquess of Portago, before the latter departed for the last part of the Mille Miglia race which ended his life. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Today, the Mille Miglia is remembered as a testament to the power of human ingenuity, passion, and determination. The race continues to inspire motorsport enthusiasts around the world, and it remains a symbol of Italian culture and automotive innovation. Part 2: The Cars of the Mille Miglia The Mille Miglia was known for the incredible cars that took part in the race. From the early years of the event, manufacturers used the race to showcase their latest models and to prove their engineering prowess on the road.

In the early years of the race, the cars that competed in the Mille Miglia were relatively simple and lightweight. These included cars like the Bugatti Type 35 and the Alfa Romeo P2, which were designed for speed and agility.

Ferdinand de Vizcaya in Bugatti Type 35 at the 1925 "Targa Florio" on Sunday 3 May, where his entry #10 did not finish. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

As the race evolved, the cars became more powerful and sophisticated. In the 1930s, German automakers dominated the event, with cars like the Mercedes-Benz SSK and the Auto Union Type C. These cars were famous for their high speeds and innovative engineering, including features like superchargers and aerodynamic bodywork.

After World War II, the cars that competed in the Mille Miglia were often modified production models, with engines tuned for performance and suspensions tweaked for the demanding course. Some of the most famous cars to compete in the race during this period included the Ferrari 166 MM, the Porsche 550 Spyder, and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing".

Wolfgang Seidel (owner) and Helm Glöckler (co-pilot) in Porsche 550, #541 at Mille Miglia in Italia, which was run from 30 April to 1 May of 1955. They ended in 8th place. Historians claim this was the last of the 550 prototypes, assigned serial number 550-15 and finished on the 12 March 1955, only a few weeks before this Mille Miglia. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

One of the most exciting things about the Mille Miglia was the sheer variety of cars that took part in the event. From sleek sports cars to powerful racing machines, the race featured a range of different models and manufacturers. The cars of the Mille Miglia were not only fast and powerful, but they were also beautiful and elegant, representing the pinnacle of automotive design and engineering.

Francesco Giardini of Ferrara, nearby Cassetta outside Siena in his personal Maserati A6GCS/53 s/n 2089 at 1955 Mille Miglia. He became 4th overall and won his class. Note: This car crashed the year after (1956) and got a new body (coupe by Pininfarina). (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Even today, the cars that took part in the Mille Miglia continue to inspire enthusiasts around the world. Many of these vehicles are still raced in vintage events and are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. The cars of the Mille Miglia are a testament to the enduring appeal of classic automobiles and the artistry of their designers and engineers. Part 3: The Legends of the Mille Miglia The Mille Miglia was not just about the cars, but also about the drivers who raced them. The race attracted some of the biggest names in motorsport, including Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, and Tazio Nuvolari, who competed in the event throughout its history.

Moss and co-driver Jenkinson wins 1955 Mille Miglia. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

One of the most legendary drivers to compete in the Mille Miglia was Stirling Moss. Moss won the race in 1955, driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, and he set a record time of 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 48 seconds. Moss's victory in the Mille Miglia cemented his place in motorsport history, and he went on to become one of the most successful drivers of his era.

Winners of the 1955 Mille Miglia, Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in the Mercedes 300 SLR. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Another famous driver to compete in the Mille Miglia was Juan Manuel Fangio. Fangio won the race in 1951, driving an Alfa Romeo 159, and he went on to become one of the greatest drivers in motorsport history. Fangio's victory in the Mille Miglia was one of the defining moments of his career, and it helped establish him as a true racing legend.

Argentine driver Juan Manuel Fangio. 1952. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Perhaps the most famous driver to compete in the Mille Miglia, however, was Tazio Nuvolari. Nuvolari won the race in 1930, driving an Alfa Romeo 6C, and he went on to become one of the most celebrated drivers of his time. Nuvolari was known for his fearless driving style and his ability to push his cars to the limit, and he remains a hero to racing enthusiasts around the world.

The winner Tazio Nuvolari and co-driver Battista Guidotti waiting to start at IV Mille Miglia in Brescia on 13 April 1930 in an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport with entry number #84. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Over the years, the Mille Miglia also became famous for its celebrity drivers, who included actors, musicians, and even royalty. These included drivers like Prince Rainier of Monaco, who competed in the race in 1954, and actor Steve McQueen, who drove in the Mille Miglia in 1953.

Steve McQueen with his 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Today, the Mille Miglia is remembered as a testament to the power of motorsport to motivate, challenge, and excite. Although the infamous crash in 1957 led to the cancellation of the race, it was however revived in 1977 as a classic car race, so the race continues to inspire enthusiasts and drivers around the world, and it remains one of the most legendary events in the history of motorsport.

Poster for the 1957 Mille Miglia. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).