Von Striker Global Consultant’s Post

1954 DeSoto Adventurer ll Coupe by Ghia… At the intersection of wild and wonderful you will find the 1954 DeSoto Adventurer ll Coupe by Ghia. Sophisticated and refined…this prestigious coupe is recognized globally as one of the foremost Top-10 prototypes ever built. Like most superstars…concept cars are created to outshine all others for a brief period and to stimulate sales…however, this long cool stunner escaped the crusher and survives today. DeSoto was a popular division of Chrysler Corporation from 1928-1961…sandwiched between Plymouth and the more luxurious Chrysler models. In business for 32yrs with a rich automotive legacy…eventually sales proved to be daunting and dismal…ending its run. VP of Chrysler…beloved visionary Virgil Exner wanted to build a rarified high performance tourer to compete against the rival Corvette…plus create his version of the early 1950s Jet Age models. Exner enjoyed competition cars so much…his daily driver was a retired Indy racer. He also loved Italian suits, people and particularly…he loved Italian cars. Exner is credited for elegantly styling important cars across numerous companies…famous for injecting artistic flair into certain nondescript slab-paneled American cars. Exner chose elite Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin Italy to build his bold nonconformist coupe. The car was expertly penned and tailored by renowned Giovanni Savonuzzi, Luigi Segre, and Exner himself. The spectacular avante garde 2-door berlinetta also became a spin-off of the ‘Savonuzzi SuperSonic Series’. Longer than other SuperSonic cars…Exner had to amend the car to fit the length of the Chrysler Imperial chassis. The one-off sexy coupe carries dramatic clean crisp lines and exudes European charm. Fastidious Ghia details and craftsmanship envelope this stunning beauty…including its luxurious black/red leather interior…intricately finished with burled wood and high performance gauges. Its theatrical long rear overhang and epic elongated hood appeal to its aerodynamic, aggressive and sleek stance…along with the jet-styled rear end and chrome encased torpedo taillights. Behind the 2 seats is a unique retractable sunroof that slides into the trunk creating a draftless interior without the disruption of a convertible. Specifications of the rare concept are not readily apparent. The cars measurements are: 214.2 inches long: width 77.9 inches: and it’s height is 55.5 inches. Crammed full of Hemi-magic…the naturally aspirated, mechanically differentiated OHV 276-cid (4.5L) FireDome Hemi V-8…is mated to a PowerFlite 2-stage automatic transmission. The Jet Age beauty captures speeds of 117 MPH. Radiating with undeniable presence…the coupe was bought off of the showroom floor by the King of Morocco. In 1985 it was brought to the States…and received a cosmetic restoration in 1989. Sold in 2012 for $1,430,000…the striking coupe continues to increase in value, and has won top honors at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and other prestigious events.

1952 Pegaso Z-102 Berlinetta Cupula aka “The Thrill”… Pegaso cars possess an alluring quality…non more than the rare coupe painted in bold and intrepid colors…entitled…’The Thrill’ The peculiar and hip Pegaso Cupula is part of a thoroughbred racing series from Spain which exudes a brash expression of history, technical superiority and pure art. After nationalization in 1946…Spanish truck manufacturer ENASA bought the old Hispano Suiza factory in LaSagrera, Barcelona Spain. ENASA was the parent company of Pegaso which built an apex line of sophisticated racers and grand sport cars in the early 1950s. The Cupula was inspired by the mystery and marketing hype around flying saucers and UFOs at the time. Pegaso only built a total of 86 units of the Z-102 model between 1951-58…and it was the fastest car in the world at its time of production. All units were unique and most were dressed by elite coachbuilders of the era. Pegaso C.O. was renowned automotive engineer and designer…Wilfredo Ricart. Ricart and Enzo Ferrari were longtime antagonists after their days together at Alfa Romeo. Enzo was well known for creating lifelong divided rivalries because of his adversarial approach and salty tongue. Direct competitors in early 1950…Ricart was far ahead of Enzo who was just starting the Ferrari brand. Ricart and crew were building and racing the most complex and sophisticated sports cars of the decade. Perhaps too enigmatic…sadly they only lasted for a glorious 7year stretch…shut down by exorbitant costs. The radically progressive quirky coupe is one of two Cupulas’ bodied by elite Carrozzeria Touring in Italy…and the only survivor. Wild and ultramodern for its time…the Cupula is rounded from every angle and vibes in bright whimsical yellow. The interior is draped in soft green with not-to-miss audacious and cosmopolitan skirted red walled tires. The svelte coupe wears no formal bumpers or chrome trim…except for the wicked cool side exhaust. It’s most quixotic feature is a domed rear window…said to cost as much as the car itself. An overview of the Pegaso engine: the motor was mounted on a race derived steel platform chassis that was drilled for lightness. The insurgent V-8 came with a choice of: two 4-barrel carburetors…or four 2-barrel carburetors which were modified by top engineers to create both a 2.8L and a 3.2L version of the rebel V-8. Racing mode utilized a supercharger. When paired with the 3.2L it pulled an increase with nearly 360 HP…top-spec Pegaso cars were clocking speeds of 167 MPH. Pegaso beat and outran the Ferraris of its era…and even the Mercedes 300SL. Being an early Z102 model…the cool yellow Cupula was fitted with the 2.8L and set a respectable speed of 121 MPH. The stunning chromatic coupe may not be conventionally beautiful…but it sure is magical. Bought and pristinely restored by Louwman Museum in the Netherlands…the Cupula won ‘Best in show’ at Amelia Island in 2015. This rare collectible is valued over $4million.

1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Cabriolet by Pininfarina… Drenched in metallic pewter hues…this sophisticated and glamorous cabriolet by Pininfarina is an exquisite example of automotive art, form and function. Prior to WWll during the 1930s-40s few auto brands controlled the race tracks more than Mercedes, Auto Union, and Alfa Romeo. With the onset of war in 1942…all of Alfa Romeo automotive tools and moulds were safely hidden away and auto production stopped at the factory. Instead the company was enlisted to build equipment for the war. By 1946 the factory was back up and running again. After in-depth R&D…the debut of the 6C 2500 model in 1938 was the culmination of the ‘6C-base’ which came in various choices of chassis’ and power plants. It remained in production until 1952. Dressed by elite coachbuilders of its era…the 6C 2500 was the fastest and the last of Alfas 6-cylinder cars…mainly due to larger fuel tanks, lighter body, and increased engine capacity…it was also one of the most expensive cars of its time. With impeccable attention to detail…the bespoke pre-war hand crafted beauty pictured here is one of only 8 examples of the High Performance Tipo 256 models. The Tipo 256 was a unique competition version of the 6C 2500 SS from Scuderia Ferrari in Modena and it realized many successes…including at LeMans and the Mille Miglia. In 1940 after competition this former ‘type 256’ race car was sold to a wealthy Swiss client. It was re-stamped and transformed into a gorgeous road-going roadster by esteemed Carrozzeria Pininfarina. Designed by Mario Revelli…the 2-seat cabriolet wears elegant curvaceous fluid lines that were decades ahead of its time in design. The opulent electric blue leather interior boasts racing gauges and dials. There are no rear seats nor need for rear side windows. Fitted with ‘suicide doors’…the sporty roadster presents with an even grander streamlined aerodynamic visual. The wheelbase measures 2700mm and is an aluminum body over a steel chassis. The SS sits with a curb weight of 2976 lbs. Its suspension is fully independent using twin trailing arms in front and swing axles in the back. Formidable stopping power is supplied by hydraulic actuated drum brakes. Originally designed by brilliant Vittorio Jano…the front longitudinally-mounted motor was re-engineered by Bruno Treviso…increasing displacement from 2309 cc to 2443 cc…thanks to a slightly larger bore. The in-line 6-cylinder engine delivers 105 HP at 4800 RPM and its top speed is noted at 101 MPH. Reportedly…this stunning car is a thrill to drive with nimble handling…and can cruise at its top end all day long. This spectacular pre-war Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS by Pininfarina changed hands and in 2008 it was completely restored by its new owner and collector. It has been shown at Pebble Beach, Villa di’Este and other prestigious concours. This amazing historic automobile sold for $4 million back in 2014 and continues to skyrocket in value.

1967 Drogo Ferrari 250 P4 Thomassima ll Coupe… The exquisite Ferrari coupes of the 1960s hold a magical and charismatic iconic beauty. If Picasso himself sculpted a car…you might imagine a masterpiece similar to this ultra rare Time Machine…The Thomassima ll Coupe. Commissioned by its new owner from California …this custom built Italian coupe captures a legendary sector of Ferrari history. The sovereign coupe is recorded and embraced by Merritt and Fitzgerald…considered the “Ferrari Bible”. The gorgeous one-off is part of a three car series designed for Ferrari by visionary American designer and artist…Tom Meade who chased his dreams to Modena Italy. Meade was well known and developed strong working partnerships with both Ferrari and Maserati…along with many Modenese coachbuilders. Through these collaborations Meade amassed countless castaway exotic car parts…enough to build his own remarkable creations. Inspiration for the Thomassima ll was derived from the Ferrari 330 P4 race car…and it’s spectacular body was ‘dressed’ by Meades old pal…the brilliant Piero Drogo of Drogo Carrozzeria Sports Cars in Modena. Piero was a former F1 driver and built many of the Alfa Romeo and Ferrari race cars. Much of the panel shaping on this coupe was finished by Pieros’ partner…Mario Allegretti. Factory engineers and mechanics from Ferrari and Maserati were on hand…along with Enzo as the sleek coupe was tested on the Fiorano Track. Meades focus was to fashion his car around a potent powertrain…along with impressive flair, form and function. Wearing Ferrari underpinnings the mid-engine beauty boasts a completely bespoke body. Fitted with the muscular brawn of the Ferrari 250 GT Colombo SOHC 3.0L V-12 engine…it reaches a top speed of 142.9 MPH. This stunning petrol fueled water cooled car is fitted with special vented disc brakes and a 4-speed ZF gearbox. Heavier muscular haunches than the P4 and a longer nose than the 275 GTB…instantly makes the Thomassima ll more pleasing to the eye and far more dramatic. Gill-like side vents and a roofline that appears to melt into a very sexy rear generally takes this beauty to breathtaking new design heights. Ironically the 275 GT premiered about the same time and was said to look quite demure next to the Thomassima ll. Once in America…the car was in storage until 1971…it hit the open market and was bought in 1983…and then endured a 7 year in-depth restoration…re-debuting at the Concorso Italiano in 2015. Despite it not being branded as a Ferrari…it has received top honors from Turin to Modena…and Pebble Beach. The legendary Thomassima Series is recognized by The Prancing Pony Brand and highly acclaimed globally. The 1967 coupe is considered priceless because the 1962 variant was destroyed in a flood in Florence Italy. The 3rd remains on loan to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello Italy. This impossibly unique historic car set an all time record on EBay…selling for $9 million back in 2015…and continues to increase in value.

1952 Cunningham C4-RK Prototype… A full decade prior to Carroll Shelby…Briggs Cunningham delivered savage American horsepower to the 24 Hours of LeMans. Based in W. Palm Beach Florida…Briggs was a wealthy heir to a shipping and banking inheritance. A true sportsman…his name is still globally synonymous with auto racing, aviation, and yachting. Famous German automotive aerodynamicist…Dr. Winibald Kamm…was globally renowned for his expertise in reducing drag coefficient in prestigious racers across the world. Kamm annihilated the hypothesis that race cars performed more efficiently with long sharp tails. Use of his aerodynamic Kamm-tail design rapidly increased after the war. The C4-RK prototype is the only car of four race units that received an even flatter Kamm-tail…under Kamms personal touch. Flying to Florida…he assisted his buddy Briggs in creating the final design for his new technically advanced race car…one of the very first in the early 1950s. The cars basic design and chassis were penned by George Weaver. Evoking vibes of speed and intimidation…the C4-RK sits with an aggressive low stance and roofline…the coupe wears flattened flanks, tall beltline, heavily hipped door stylings, flush door handles, louvers everywhere, unique wheel-brake setup, extractor fans, twin scoops on the hood, and a radical ‘bullnose’ shaped front end and grille. After finishing 4th in the C4-RK at LeMans…Briggs handed off his aircraft inspired track-beast to drivers Phil Walters and John Fitch. Not well known…Briggs had a moderate case of claustrophobia and found the cockpit far too tight and confining. The front engined rear-wheel drive racer removed extra weight with a smaller lighter custom chassis and a fiberglass shell. Chrysler could smell the free publicity and happily supplied their new competition variant…a 5.4L Fire Power Hemi V-8 engine to the Cunningham Race Team. The coupe was fitted with 4 Zenith carburetors on a bespoke log-type manifold…along with many upgraded modifications. This historic racer was clocked at 150.24 MPH on the Mulsanne Straits…with a recorded top speed of 155 MPH…remarkable for 1952. Running hot and fast…the C4-RK outraced Ferrari and Jag on its own soil…securing top honors and finishing 3rd, 7th, and 10th at LeMans… it also had top wins at Sebring, Watkins Glen, and other notable global circuits. With a crew of 40 and lots of cash…Briggs cemented his dream in history with his American racer conquering international competition and circuits. There were 4 continuation cars built in the 1990s…and one official recreation. In 1966 Briggs retired from racing and sold off his racing empire for an undisclosed amount…along with the C4-RK. All three sibling cars are held in private collections. The original race car pictured here currently resides at the Revs Institute in Naples, Florida. It sold many years ago for just under $1.5million…and is now believed to be outrageously more valuable.

1954 Ferrari 375 America Pininfarina Coupe Speciale… Propelled by ever advancing wealth…bespoke coachwork and exclusive limited-production cars were all the rage throughout the ‘haute monde’ European postwar elite car markets. Introduced at the 1955 Turin Auto Show… the wildly sleek and historic 375 America wears an ornate color palette and pure sophisticated Pininfarina styling. Built to the exact specifications…this one-off opulent custom racing coupe mirrors the flamboyant personality of its new owner…Fiat Scion and President…Mr. Gianni Agnelli. Wanting to crush the ‘World Sports Car Championship’…Enzo Ferrari would produce 26 extra potent racing chassis’ between 1953-1955. Utilizing a strategic plan…Enzo would then sell off 12 units to his subsidize his growing thirst for expensive racing ventures. He personally selected 12 elite affluent clients…not surprisingly…the clients would opt for a stunning bespoke package. Each car varied in design, were hand built, and became high performance street versions. The 12th and final unit was designed by talented artist Francesco Martinengo…with assist from brilliant Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina who was in his 60s at the time. Sitting on a tubular frame the construction of this car is reported as “impeccable “. Arrow straight panels, perfect door/hood fittings, hand burnished metal work…making this a historic gem for craftsmanship alone. The racy coupe has a gorgeous sloping trunk line that drapes into a buttress treatment similar to the Ferrari 375MM aka the Bergman Coupe. The willowy and curvaceous coupe is dressed in lustrous British Racing Green… complimented by deep Ruby Red interior/exterior details and finishes. The luxurious interior features red leather, burled wood trim, jeweled gauges, and the car is finished off with 16” Borrani Wire Wheels. A modified rectangular grille makes it immediately distinctive from a Fiat or the previous Bergman Coupe. The heart of this racer is a high strung Lampredi designed 4.5L V-12…displaced 4522cc. Crowning are single overhead cams and 3-40DCF dual throat Weber carburetors. With 300 HP at 6250 RPM…the coupe can top 150 MPH…screeching 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. There were many reported sightings of Agnelli and his beautiful coupe tearing it up on the autostrada…heading towards the Riviera. This magnificent coupe sold for a cool $18.3 million at Bonhams. It is restored and privately held in California. It has won top prizes at elite concours such as Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.

1948 Talbot-Lago T26 GS Figoni & Falaschi Coupe… This historic sophisticated svelte fastback coupe hails from an era of unparalleled automotive engineering and design. Wanting to build an elite grand tourer…the striking Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport was the dream of racing enthusiast Anthony Lago and chief engineer Carlo Marchetti. The new GS chassis was commissioned to be “clothed” by iconic and esteemed Paris CoachBuilders…Figoni & Falaschi…instantly causing the magnificent coupe to double in value. Debuting at the 1950 Paris Auto Show…the revolutionary fastback pictured here is the only Talbot-Lago bodied car by Figoni & Falaschi…making it very rare. The one-off coupe survives the T26 models which offered two production engines…170 or 190 BHP respectively…(240 BHP for the racers)…and various chassis measurements. The racing variants won big at the French and Belgian Grand Prix, also the 1950 Le Mans…beating out Ferrari and Maserati. A host of specific aerodynamic features help reduce drag and improve high speed stability. The reliable, smooth high speed power plant was ideal for opulent touring and offered sophisticated independent front suspension; hydraulic brakes; advanced shock absorbers; along with many other cutting edge technical modifications…pushing the T26 models far ahead of its competitors. Per the new owners request (French entrepreneur Mr. Fayolle) the body styling reflects small flourishings depicting a zip fastener that made him a fortune. A string of chrome strips perched slightly above the center headlamp emulates a ‘zipper’! The lightweight aluminum body also displays slight hints of the famed “Teardrop” design along with modern pontoon fenders. The heart of this elegant beast harbors a 4.5L inline-six motor powered by three carburetors that are capable of pumping 190 HP at 4,200 RPM. This excellent monster-block was finely tuned over years of development…and is paired with a 4-speed innovative pre-selector electromagnetic gearbox. Offering a luxurious ride…this majestic car provides precise quick and smooth gear changes…while sustaining an impressive top speed of 124 MPH. Sitting with a light curb weight of 2,902lbs…it is recorded that a number of T26C racers with light-frame aerodynamic shells could reach speeds of 180+ MPH…with their high performance finely modified and crafted engines. It’s not known how this coupe made it from France to America…or how it disappeared into storage for 47 years? In 2015 the car was bought and underwent a tedious 2.5 year restoration…returning the icon to its original glorious 1948 condition. Previously owned by both Briggs Cunningham and Ralph Lauren…this legendary racer won ‘Best in Show’ at Pebble Beach; Villa d’ Este; Salon Prive; Chantilly Auto Show and other prestigious global automotive events. This gorgeous high style fastback design sold for $4.62million in 2017. It is currently estimated to be be valued at well north of $8 million.

La Fiat 8V Berlinetta Zagato del 1953… The worlds most valuable Fiat… Beautiful sophisticated classic curves cloak the Fiat 8V Berlinetta Zagato. The 8V is considered the most beloved model built by the Turin based brand. As a side note…the Fiat “8V” (Otto Vu in Italian) was named such…simply because Fiat mistakenly assumed Ford held the trademark on “V-8”…which was not the case. For homologation reasons and with intentions to compete directly against Ferrari and other racing advisorys…a limited number of 200 cars were planned…but only 114 8V highly advanced chassis’ were built from 1952-1954. Penned by acclaimed designer Dante Giacosa and stylist Lucio Rapi…this stunning coupe was refined by Zagato and soon became a formidable race car. Esteemed Elio Zagato rarified his skills during the war building combat aircraft for the Italian Airforce…and was becoming renowned for his lightweight bodied sports racers. The 8V variants were taking wins at 1955 Targa Florio, 1957 Mille Miglia, along with many other prominent circuits. The Fiat 8V also claimed the 1956 Italian Sports Car Championship/2-Liter Class. These were monumental and historic victories for the Fiat Racing Division. To stimulate sales and promote their new limited high performance sports cars…Fiat sent 32 8V chassis’ to be dressed by elite bespoke coach builders of the era…including Vignale, Ghia, Pinninfarina and Zagato. Five of the very advanced 8V racing chassis’ were commissioned to Carrozzeria Zagato in Milan Italy. Interestingly…all 5 (and only these) Zagato 8V cars wear the legendary double-bubble rooftop. This cleverly designed roofline adds rigidity and strength to the lightweight frame. Pictured here is the most expensive Fiat in the world…and the only 1953 Fiat 8V racer bodied by Zagato. Besides power, grit, and sublime curves…the 8V Berlinetta wears a low racing nose, a massive hood scoop, articulating side vents for increased brake cooling, the unique roofline, and a militant aggressive stance. )Chassis #106.000026 is equipped with a rare uprated Tipo 104.004 competition engine…featuring dual 4-barrel Weber 36 DCZ3 Carburetors… )1,996 cc OHV 70degree V-8… )5-speed manual gearbox… )4-Wheel Alfin hydraulic drum brakes… )4-Wheel independent racing suspension plus additional innovative racing components such as: forged crankshaft, stainless steel exhaust manifolds, finned aluminum sump, and gorgeous Borrani Wheels. Subtly elegant, fast and gnarly…this cool racer pulls a solid top speed of 124 MPH. After various owners and a successful race record…in 2008 this Fiat 8V Berlinetta Zagato underwent a comprehensive and meticulous 3 year deconstruction involving over 70 workers. It was painstakingly restored to its original and authentic 1953 configuration. This one-off uniquely designed light-alloy Zagato bodied racer sold for a spectacular $2.9million in 2023. Privately owned…this beauty has taken top honors at Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este and other prestigious events.

The Intriguing Tale of the 1958 MacMinn LeMans Coupe… Futuristic curves grace the sensually sinister elegance of the MacMinn LeMans Coupe. Seductively stretched for aerodynamic airflow…it’s visual impact alone sparked designers imaginations for decades to come. This formidable early stage LeMans land rocket was built to conquer the track while retaining its street legal title. The hybrid concept was to be a fusion of both worlds…road and circuit racing. Plus a hopeful American win at LeMans. This beautiful coupe is exalted as one of most important mid-century cars in automotive history. Its timeless design, superior performance, and dual functionality garnered praise from the automotive industry, media, collectors and the public alike. However, the V-8 powered coupe never made it to the LeMans track…it seems the project was cursed from the beginning. Each of the custom non-production cars ended up wrecked, destroyed or dismantled…until one was rediscovered and restored decades later. Its origin was birthed from a simple challenging question: “Why weren’t American racers winning at LeMans”? Small teams of race drivers, enthusiasts, and automotive pioneers came together to solve the mystery. Working diligently in their own garages and workshops…they also labored the project with a capped budget. Their lofty goal was nothing short of possibilities and inspiration. John Bond a brilliant engineer and automotive journalist initiated the development by penning the chassis himself. His pal…beloved designer Strother MacMinn styled the legendary body. With unbridled enthusiasm the entire build process was outlined in Road & Track Magazine…starting in November 1957. Ultimately…7 known bespoke aluminum reinforced fiberglass bodies were constructed…with only 4 cars completed. Its elegant high fashion shell was a victorious design win. The framework was customized with a set of parallel box-rails that were suspended by longitudinal torsion bars and wishbones…utilizing traditional transverse leaf coils to support the independent rear end. The 2000 lb. longtail racer features a robust 1957 tweaked small-block C1 Corvette 283 ci V-8 engine mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox. The coupe was tested vigorously under its own power at the Riverside International Raceway in California. The majestic coupe pulled a solid 260 HP…with a top speed of 180 MPH. As mentioned…all of the MacMinn LeMans Coupes were either crashed or destroyed. Through the 60s, 70s, and 80s…old racers were abundant…forgotten and left to rust/rot in the outdoor elements. 63 years later…master mechanic Dennis Kazmerowski resurrected a LeMans Coupe body found in a Southern California junk yard. Now the only coupe in existence…was painstakingly restored to original condition…and made its debut at Pebble Beach in 2023. From Pebble Beach it went on display at the Petersen Museum. You can also find a fascinating episode about this historic car on Jay Lenos’ Garage.

1936 Alfa Romeo Coach 8C 2.9A Racer… Portraying absolute art in motion with its fluid aggressive stance…the 8C 2.9A racing coupe is also famous for its graceful sweeping lines…and its raw unbridled speed. The immortal 8C models radiate revolutionary charm, rarity and undeniable classic Italian excellence. The heritage rich history of this remarkable car dates back to the early 1920s. The 8C indicates the original straight-in-line 8 engine designed by brilliant Vittorio Jano. He created his first straight-8 engine back in 1924…and won his first world championship with the motor in 1925…however, the 8C designation was not yet in use. ‘Slicker than Sleek’…and built for racing…Alfa Romeo produced less than 50 8C units between 1931-1939. Forged in competition and run by Enzo Ferraris’ Scuderia Ferrari Race Team…the Alfa Romeo racers were nearly undefeated, and continually took home top wins at prestigious global tracks. Many 8C models were revered as the pinnacle of power for both racing and as coach built production cars. With secret race car underpinnings beneath…the stunning 8C variants were ranked globally as the fastest production sports car pre-WWII. The brand labeled the model as ‘strictly a racing unit’ not sold to private owners. Eventually, a coveted number of rolling chassis’ were sold to select apex customers. Two lengths were offered…Lungo (long) or Corto (short). The customers commissioned elite coachbuilders of the era to dress and design bespoke bodies for their new cars. Even a few of the race cars were sold and bodied as road going GTs. Pictured here is the winner of the 1937 Mille Miglia. Chassis #412004 was rebodied as a cabriolet by Pininfarina…and later transformed into this sophisticated coupe. Sitting with a belligerent stance…severely raked grille and windscreen, its classic endless curves flow into a softly rounded ‘ducktail’ with robust pontoon fenders. Drenched in racing red…the spectacular coupe is sparsely enhanced with subtle chrome flourishings, boldly styled ventilation grids, and exquisite wire wheels. Hydraulic drum brakes provide ample stopping ability. By increasing the stroke…Jano designed this engineering marvel to eventually grow to 2905 cc. Incorporating light-alloy fabrication…the 8C 2.9A…DOHC in-line-straight 8 power plant utilizes central plugs, two rows of overhead valves per cylinder bank, and hemispherical combustion chambers. The heart of this racing beast makes it slightly faster than its siblings. Laying menacingly beneath the colossal long hood…the motor was created by seating 2-alloy blocks of 4-cylinders on a solitary crankcase. Added capacity was sourced when aspiration was forced through the 2-Roots Type Superchargers. The 2.9L engine delivered 225 HP and churned out a top speed of 137 MPH…remarkable for the early 1930s. All of the 8C models are incredibly rare and gorgeous. This red beauty resides in the Musee Cite de’ Automobile in Mulhouse France…and is valued at over $20 million.