The Lawrence Auriana Car Collection was featured at the 2013 Lime Rock Historic Festival, held August 30th to September 2nd at Lime Rock Park. Among the Auriana automotive treasures on display at the road course in Connecticut were a selection of important Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari race and street cars.
The Lawrence Auriana Maseratis included an ex-factory 1928 Tipo 26B/M 8C Grand Prix car which is potentially the oldest running Maserati in the world.Also on display was the very first Maserati A6 GCS (the only one designated with MM in its build sheet) which debuted with a first in class at the Mille Miglia and with the exception of one DNF, never finished off of the podium in class or overall. Also, a Tipo 300 S with two wins by Juan Manuel Fangio and one by Stirling Moss took part in a family photo with the GranTurismo MC.
The largest and seemingly most popular attraction of the 2013 Lime Rock Historics weekend was the ex-Maserati Formula One Team Transporter which was in service from 1953 through 1957. It was responsible for carrying seven crew and two 250F race cars for Jean Behra and Fangio across Europe including to the Nurburgring and “the finest drive in Formula 1 history” sealing the Formula title for Fangio and Maserati. Restored in Modena under the careful eye of Adolfo Orsi, it is fully functional and as it was during its racing support service.
Lawrence Auriana commented, “The Italian tradition in racing demonstrates exceptional design, craftsmanship and ingenuity which resulted in a century of success. It is a pleasure to be able to give these treasures care, attention and to share them. The transporter was a very special project as it represents the human side of racing, where those who were behind the victories spent so much time.”
Lawrence Auriana Maserati Collection – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture)
Lawrence Auriana Car Collection – Photo Gallery Continued
Any major Italian car collection must include Ferraris and Lawrence Auriana’s is no exception, with many important models from Maranello. On display at Lime Rock were a 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta, 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competition, 1965 Ferrari 250 LM, 1967 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider and 1971 Ferrari 512 M.
The 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta, s/n 0054 M, raced at the Circuito de Playa Grande and Buenos Aires at the hands of Carlos Menditeguy. Bill Spear then extensively raced the Ferrari, finishing 4th overall and 2nd in class at the 1952 Sebring 12 Hours. The alloy-bodied 1960 Ferrari 250 SWB Berlinetta Competition, serial number 1741 GT, was the New York Auto Show Car in 1960, while the 1965 Ferrari 250 LM, s/n 6233, raced in period by Ricardo Rodriguez, Ronnie Bucknum and others.
Auriana’s 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider was the first of Luigi Chinetti’s creations and one of only two alloy NART Spiders. Serial number 09437 famously appeared in the movie The Thomas Crown Affair starring Steve McQueen, in addition to finishing 17th overall and 2nd in class at the 1967 12 Hours of Sebring driven by Denise McCluggage and Marianne ‘Pinkie’ Rollo. This was the only period race in which a NART Spider competed. (Note: Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider s/n 10709 sold for $27,500,000 at the 2013 RM Auctions Monterey sale).
The 1971 Ferrari 512 M was part of Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team (NART). Serial number 1020 raced at Le Mans, Daytona, Sebring and Watkins Glen. It finished third overall at the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans driven by Sam Posey and Tony Adamowicz, beaten by the all-conquering Porsche 917s.
Lawrence Auriana Ferrari Collection – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture)
Lawrence Auriana Car Collection – Photo Gallery Continued
A selection of Alfa Romeo race cars were also on display, including the 1953 Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM (Competizione Maggiorata) that Juan Manuel Fangio raced at the 24 Hours Le Mans in 1953. After a short racing career, it was rebodied by Carrozzeria Boano and then presented by Alfa Romeo to Argentine President Juan Peron and his wife, Evita. It was later converted back to the original Colli coupe configuration as seen at Lime Rock.
Additional Alfa Romeos included a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza believed to be the one raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1932 Monaco Grand Prix. It was later entered in the 1933 Monaco Grand Prix and French Grand Prix and, in 1934, placed second in the British Empire Trophy Race at the hands of Charles Brackenbury.
Lawrence Auriana Alfa Romeo Collection – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture)
The complete list of Lawrence Auriana’s cars on display at the 2013 Lime Rock Historic Festival included a 1928 Tipo 26B/M 8C Grand Prix; 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza; 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta; 1953 Maserati A6GCS MM; 1953 Alfa Romeo 3000 CM; 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competition; 1965 Ferrari 250 LM; 1967 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider; 1972 Alfa Romeo 33/TT/3; 1971 Ferrari 512 M; 1972 Ducati 750 SS Imola; 1978 Ducati 90 TT (ex-Mike Hailwood TT winner); 1953 Fiat Transporter in Maserati Team livery and 1966 Alfa Romeo Factory Service Van.
[Source: Maserati; photos: Michael DiPleco]
What?? Not a single picture of the Citroen 2CV I sold this guy earlier this year?? I guess his whole collection must be pretty eclectic.
The collection is massive and amazing !! Some citroens are being displayed at a local restaurant
I do like his taste in cars 😀
Great topic/review. Please consider a future stand-alone feature of the Fiat transporter – would love to see and understand more about the history of this vehicle.
Great article on a true italophile. Would love to see a detailed article on his Moretti Gran Sport.