Lancia D50

VRJ European Editor Ed McDonough recently became the first journalist to seriously test a D50 of any type, original or re­creation, and had many laps at a Silverstone test session in one of the most beautiful and charismatic of the all-time classics.

In late May 1955, many newspapers and movie newsreels carried the stunning images of the great Alberto Ascari and his Grand Prix Lancia hurtling through the hay bales at Monaco and plunging into the blue waters of the famed principality’s harbor. Ascari had apparently driven into some oil at the notorious chicane in that 1955 race and lost control of his D50. To the amazement and relief of everyone, he and his familiar blue helmet bobbed to the surface as a surprised Maurice Trintignant took an unexpected Ferrari win.