11 replies to this topic

[PeterTRoss]

LOTUS IN THE 1957 MILLE MIGLIA

The next issue of the Historic Lotus Register magazine “Historic Lotus” will include an article about the only known appearance of a Lotus in the Mille Miglia before it was discontinued as a road race. It is not widely known that in addition to the Series 2 Lotus Eleven 9EHX entered by Gregor Grant, Editor of Autosport, the 1957 event also had an entry of another Lotus Eleven driven by Bruno Ferrari.

Apart from a photograph of Bruno’s car No 339 (meaning that he was flagged off the starting rostrum at 03.39 hours on 12th May, two minutes after Gregor Grant in 337), I can find no more information other than that he did not finish.

I have been told that Bruno Ferrari came to Britain at the age of 15, and that his father was a fruit importer. He is no relation to the Bruno Ferrari who races a Stanguellini in the current Historic Formula Junior races.
He is believed to have married three times (all English women) and that beyond some photographs, which Victor Thomas is sending me, his widow has no information about his races. I understand he later took up Kart racing.

The HLR Lotus Eleven Registrar has no record of his car, either being delivered from the factory, or subsequent to his ownership.

Is there anyone out there who might be able to throw some light on this piece of Lotus history, or at least point me in the direction of someone who know him and might know of surviving mechanics, owners of his Eleven, etc.?

[David Beard]

Originally posted by PeterTRoss
LOTUS IN THE 1957 MILLE MIGLIA

I understand he later took up Kart racing.

I'm sure it's of no help Peter...but I think I have a number of 60s karting magazines in which he features. He was quite successful, I think, and had some sort of karting orientated business which was advertised in the magazine.

[JB Miltonian]

There is a picture of this Lotus on the starting ramp (#339) on page 153 of the "Mille Miglia: The Postwar Years" book. It appears to carry reg RNP735.

Is this the same photograph you have?

[DanielRapley]

Peter,

Bruno Ferrari was co pilot with George Verrilli in either 54/55 or 56. I remember that George raced both Lancia and Austin Healey.

George is alive and well and living in the USA. He may well be able to help you.

I'll put a call into George then contact you off line.

Cheers,
Daniel

[Graham Gauld]

I am not sure if it is the same Bruno Ferrari but I briefly got to know someone of that name in England in the 1950's and met up with him again in September 1957 at a local hop in the village of Vignola, near Modena. I was not aware that that Bruno Ferrari had been in the Mille Miglia as a passenger.

[JB Miltonian]

There is a wonderful story about Gregor Grant's drive in the Eleven at the 1957 Mille Miglia to be found at:

http://lotuseleven.org/MilleMiglia.htm

[David Birchall]

Didn't Tony Hogg, Editor of Road &Track, compete in the MM in a Lotus Eleven? Has my memory totally gone?

[dretceterini]

From the various MM books I have I come up with (all listed as Lotus/Climax)

1955 Chapman DNS
1956 Michael Young DNS
1957 #337 Grant
1957 #339 Ferrari

[raceannouncer2003]

Apparently Bruno Ferrari raced a Lotus Eleven Climax as #16 at Silverstone in September of 1957, entered by Scuderia Madunina (which seems to be a common team name...what does it mean?)

Vince Howlett, Victoria, B.C., Canada

[Ted Walker]

Bruno Ferrari passed away several years ago,and yes Graham that would be the same man.I thought he drove the 11 in the mm he also drove an ace bristol in the mm.

[Charles Helps]

There's a George Phillips photo in the Revs Digital Library of Bruno Ferrari in his Lotus #16 at the start of the up to 1500c race at Silverstone that Vince refers to above (post #9).  I don't know whether it's the same car he used in the Mille Miglia.  It doesn't seem to have many long distance improvements unlike the ex-1957 Le Mans 24 hours Eleven just in front...

[275 GTB-4]

Apparently Bruno Ferrari raced a Lotus Eleven Climax as #16 at Silverstone in September of 1957, entered by Scuderia Madunina (which seems to be a common team name...what does it mean?)

Vince Howlett, Victoria, B.C., Canada

Don't know if thus helps or hinders Vince...(Hi Charles :-)

http://www.travbuddy...n-Great-Milan-2