The famed Mille Miglia is a name that will reverberate throughout time, once an open-road, motorsport endurance race during the interwar period but now a heritage tour that is also known as the most beautiful race in the world. The latest of which was won by a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Zagato.
The annual heritage event now garners timeless entrants and high-speed competitors from yesteryear with manufacturers that could find drivers brave and willing to contend the 1 500 km+ route between Brescia to Rome and then back again. With the first event taking place in 1927 as a speed race organised by Giovanni Canestrini, Franco Mazzotti, Renzo Castagneto and Aymo Maggi, the 1000 Miglia has evolved into a regularity race for historic cars along the same scenic landscapes that were once raced upon.
Entered cars require pedigree and racing heritage to compete in the event. In other words, only the models of the cars, or the car itself, that took part in or completed the entry to one of the 1000 Miglia editions between 1927 and 1957 and are registered to the Registro 1000 Miglia can take part in modern day versions of the most beautiful race in the world.
The most recent of which took place over the weekend was a triumph for the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo in the race that spans a thousand miles. This year, the 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Zagato took the top step of the Brescia podium, driven by a crew consisting of Andrea Vesco and Fabio Salvinelli from the Villa Trasqua team, also sponsors of the race.
In addition, the latest member to their portfolio; the electrified Tonale, was present at the 40th edition of the event to garner enthusiasm from the crowd. New cars however, aren’t the ones that hold the limelight at the most beautiful race in the world. Alfa Romeo also fielded three other models at the starting grid: a 1928 Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Super Sport, a car from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo that also won the 2005, 2007 and 2008 editions of the event as well as a 1900 Sport Spider from 1954, and the 1900 Sport Spider from 1956.
Here are some shots of the Mercedes 300SL from this year’s edition too.
