A one off from days gone by.
C.N.001714x has lived quite the eventful life. It was originally built in 1938, then fitted with a 1476cc engine to compete in the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Le Mans and the likes. It competed in the Targa Florio in 1938 and 1939, finishing 3rd and 2nd in class respectively. It competed in the 1939 Mille Miglia, finishing 4th overall and repeated this feat at the 1939 24H du Mans. The original streamlined Barchetta style body was destroyed in an accident at a Hillclimb event in Switzerland in early 1940. Due to the War the chassis had its engine removed and was stored in an underground facility near Davos. In 1945 the chassis was revitalized by a privateer with a crude monoposto body and 1.9L Holburn “Rocket” Straight six, and continued to compete in local events. In 1947 the worn out engine exploded quite literally mid-run, causing the driver to lose control and once again, crash the car, this time heavily damaging the frame as well. The car was then bought by fabricator Arnaud Loffredo, who repaired and modified the tubular frame to accomodate the 1935 2.7L Barricada Twin-Carb OHC V8 which the car carries to this day. Finally it received an aerodynamically styled Coupè body inspired by earlier work from Coachbuilder Stabilimenti Lucini S.p.A., and was used as Loffredo’s daily driver until his death in 1964. The car since then switched hands multiple times, got modified again and has even been used in vintage motorsports in recent years, however the lazy V-8 is better suited for cruising. After the latest change of ownership in 2006 the car was reverted to it’s “original” 1947 specification and continues to tour the world for concours events and the occasional historic road rallye
Technical specifications:
Steel tube frame, hand-built aluminium bodywork
Double wishbone front suspension with transverse leaf spring, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs
4-wheel unassisted drum brakes, 275mm all around
1935 Barricada Tipo 822 90° 16V OHC V8 with cast iron block and cylinder heads
Bore x Stroke 73x80mm, 2679cc, dual twin-choke Zenith carburettors.
Compression ratio 7.0:1
101hp @ 5000rpm, 183Nm @ 3000rpm, engine redline 5500rpm
Engine weight 198kg
4-speed partial synchromesh manual transmission, worm and sector steering
Total weight 862kg
Top speed 184kph
Price (2006): €380,000