Fiat 1400 ex MM

Ex-1951 and 1952-Mille Miglia Fiat 1400 with Abarth tuning 1950 LHD How refreshing to have found this Fiat 1400 with such a nice racing history! The first owner, the Roman Dr. Ottorino Monaco and his car, the popular Fiat 1400 4-door saloon, demonstrate that when one is fuelled by passion great achievements are within reach of everyone. The man and his car illustrate the true spirit of the post-war racing scene in Italy and in my opinion could be a source of inspiration for the actual classic car world in which too often prestige- and investment purposes seem to become dominant factors. Dr. Ottorino Monaco bought his Fiat 1400 in December 1950 and immediately prepared this Fiat for racing following the rules of the Official Racing Regulation for cars of the "Categoria Turismo Internazionale 1500 cc". A new engine was installed as later reported on the "Estratto Cronologico", prepared with: 1. Abarth manifold with two carbs Solex 32 2. Special water pump 3. Abarth valve cover Dr. Ottorino Monaco started racing his car in 1951: Stella Alpina in February, Rallye de Sestri ère in March, Mille Miglia in April, Coppa della Toscana in June, etc... (7 documented participations in the 1951 racing season with very honourable results). For the 1952 racing season, the passionate Roman Dr. did even better after having participated from March to September at 10 racing events, winning the 1500 cc category at the XIX Mille Miglia, and crowning himself at the end of the 1952 season as Italian Champion Turismo Internazionale 1500 cc. Also during the 1953 racing season, Dr. Monaco remained active with his trusted Fiat 1400 with 3 by us documented races, where again excellent results were achieved. In 1955 the Fiat 1400 was sold to Mr. Eraldo Sculati, a journalist of the magazine "Paese Sera", gentleman driver (he raced the Mille Miglia in 1950 and 1951) and from 1956 to 1957, Direttore Sportivo of the Scuderia Ferrari. Mr. Sculati drove the car during his trips from Rome to Modena. On the 21st of January 1957, Mrs. Fidora Sculati sold the car to Mr. Giovanni Aldini of Modena, who owned a taxi company. His company was used by the Scuderia Ferrari to bring the drivers from and to the Malpensa Airport. In 1960, Mr. Aldini deleted the car from the registration and he parked it in his garage where years later, in a somehow derelict state, the Fiat was found by a classic car "hunter" I rely on to source interesting cars for me in Italy. The Monaco family was very helpful in digging out ancient photographs and documentation and also the widow of Eraldo Sculati gave useful information on the previous life and use of this sporty Fiat 1400. All this enabled us to bring the Fiat 1400 back to her former Mille Miglia configuration and her glorious racing times in the early fifties. A classic car enthusiast who would like to experience the Mille Miglia with the certitude to be accepted should seize his chance to do so by buying this charming and very sporty Fiat 1400 without having to break the bank!