1000 Miglia 2024: Stellantis Heritage alongside Alfa Romeo & Lancia
Now only a few hours away, the start of the 42. historical re-enactment of the “1000 Miglia,” the renowned regularity race for vintage cars, reserved for models that raced the historical 1000 Miglia speed race or were produced in the same period (between 1927 and 1957).
Again this year, to maintain tradition, this wonderful “museum in motion” will kick off from Brescia on Tuesday, June 11, to return there on Saturday, June 15 after visiting some of the most evocative locations in Italy. For the first time in the history of the re-enactment of the “1000 Miglia,”, this year’s convoy will also be stopping off in Turin, a city that symbolizes Italian motoring culture. The Savoy capital welcomes the Red Arrow after 76 years: only in 1947 and 1948, at the time of the speed race, in fact, the Piedmontese capital was the setting for the 1000 Miglia.
Like always part race and part adventure, a symbol of boldness and the spirit of discovery, the 1000 Miglia will involve over 400 priceless vintage cars, including three gems belonging to the collection of classic cars owned by Stellantis: the Lancia Aurelia B20GT (1951), the Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider (1954), and the 1900C Super Sprint (1956). Stellantis Heritage, tasked with protecting and disseminating the timeless values of its Italian car brands, with a collection of over 300 vintage cars at the Heritage Hub in Turin, has provided three models that epitomize the sporting tradition of the Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands, which have made history in Italian motor racing. Let’s deepen their characteristics together:
Lancia Aurelia B20GT, the Grand Tourer par excellence, with a classic, timeless appeal. A supremely elegant model, where black bodywork is combined with interior upholstery in grey Lancia cloth, is one of 500 first-series Aurelia cars that were produced in 1951. This specific car, usually on display at the Heritage Hub in Turin, took part in the 1954 1000 Miglia speed race, crossing the finish line in 12. place overall and 3. in its class. The Aurelia was also the first Lancia model to achieve considerable sporting success at an international level, establishing itself in both road and track racing. Such a car could only be driven by an outstanding crew. With a trophy haul of 17 rally wins, 40 podium placings out of the 79 rallies he competed in, and two World Championship titles with Lancia, Massimo (‘Miki’) Biasion will be navigating alongside Savina Confaloni, a famous and authoritative automotive and lifestyle journalist, as well as a TV presenter and author.
Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider, the prestigious barchetta prototype designed by Franco Scaglione for the Bertone coachbuilder based on the “1900”, marked Alfa Romeo's post-war revival. The already sophisticated four-cylinder engine of the "1900" was tuned up to deliver an output of 138 horsepower. At a weight of only 880 kg, the 1900 Sport Spider prototype could therefore achieve a top speed of 220 km/h. This Alfa Romeo rarity from the Stellantis Heritage collection at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese has previously taken part in many of the re-enactments of the historic 1000 Miglia. At the wheel this year will be the former driver Nicola Larini, who also competed in Formula 1, but is remembered by the entire Alfisti fandom for his unforgettable victory in the DTM, the German Touring Car Championship, at the wheel of the legendary Alfa Romeo 155 2.5 V6 TI in 1993, defeating the fiercest German competition. Paired with Larini will be his friend Luca Ciucci, a passionate regularity racer and member of a public body linked to the automotive world.
Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint, a favorite of gentleman drivers in the 1950s, assembled by the Touring Superleggera atelier in Milan, was also based on the “1900” but was equipped with an upgraded engine, designed to give just the right adrenaline rush to fans of performance. The 1900 Super Sprint was considered by the drivers and private teams of the time as the right car to achieve victory in its class: its road holding, speed, and reliability made it a winner mainly in the Touring class, but also among GTs with Touring coupés. In this years “Freccia Rossa” (‘Red Arrow’), this model will be manned by Andrea Farina, renowned for his work with Motor1, one of the main online magazines dedicated to the world of motoring. Alongside him, Davide Cironi, a well-known face on the small screen and founder of Drive Experience, the #1 channel in Italy for sports cars.
These two 1900s are usually on show at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, along with the other magnificent cars from the 114-year history of the Biscione brand.
Considered wonders of Italy, these three historical gems are ideally picking up the baton between past and present and will be followed along the route of the 1000 Miglia by the latest additions to their respective brands, serving as support cars: the Alfa Romeo Junior and Lancia Ypsilon, symbols of the evolution of Italian genius in the field of motoring and of the energy transition towards a mobility accessible to all and respectful of the environment.
