Mille Miglia 1953

Such crowds, such sunshine, and such passionate enthusiasm immediately suggest Italy. The scene is being set for the fantastic Mille Miglia, the thousand-mile-long motor race. The people of Brescia regard this as their race and mean to see every minute of it, and the preparations. And the officials are equally determined to keep the scrutineering very clear. In charge is the director of the race, Renzo Castagneto, who, together with the late Franco Mazzotti, Giovanni Canestrini, and Count Maggi, conceived this great project - a motor race around Italy, a thousand miles long, starting and finishing at Brescia. In Italy, the building of competition cars is a considerable industry. Here we see the OSCA factory at Bologna. The Maserati factory is close by. And most famous of them all, the Scuderia Ferrari at Maranello. The final touches are being made to Mike Hawthorn's car, as he's joined by Tom Cole, who so tragically met his death later in the year at Le Mans. Always very much in command, Enzo Ferrari, the man who has built the winning cars for the last five Mille Miglia. From miles around, people have come to Maranello to see the Ferraris for this year's race on test. And here's Villoresi himself, giving a typical explanation. At Alfa Romeo's in Milan, they look on racing as part of the job of developing cars and engines for ordinary use, so the engine designer works closely with the two chief testers, Sanesi and Zanardi. Zanardi is taking their new Mille Miglia car off to Monza racetrack for a final test. The car has been prepared in great secrecy, for here is one of the greatest threats to Ferrari. The new Alfa is not only much smaller than the fast-production saloon, but it's fitted with an engine of nearly twice the size. On another track, at Modena, one of many privately owned Ferraris is under test. Closed cars can have far better streamlining than open ones. And as it's poured with rain during every Mille Miglia since the war as well, many drivers prefer them. But some prefer an open car, like Giannino Marzotto, brilliant and serious-minded driver, just taking delivery of one of the latest 4.1 Ferrari. They say it'll reach 186 miles an hour. And what better place to find out than the street outside the showroom? Beneath the peaceful chapel of San Stefano, the Aston Martin team look over their cars. This is Calino, where for years, the home of Count Maggi has had ever-open doors for the drivers from abroad. Men like Reg Parnell, who's come from England to challenge the years of Italian supremacy in the Mille Miglia. Over 500 cars have been entered for this year's race, with the astonishing number of 1,000 drivers and co-drivers. The cars will start one at a time, and all that matters is getting around their thousand miles and back to Brescia in the shortest time. And so that people will know just when each car started, the smallest cars, which start first, are numbered one to 90. The numbers themselves of the others show their starting time. 518 on Casella's Gordini means that he will leave at 5:18, whilst 3:40 is the time set for Venezian's OSCA. As though the officials hadn't enough to cope with, somebody has to lock his car and go off with the key. The Mille Miglia isn't an easy race to follow because so many things happen at once. But from all this confusion, the main race, the battle for the prize for the fastest car to cover the thousand miles, will sort itself out. And there are other prizes, too. All the cars are divided into classes, with prizes for each class, so that, at the same time as the main race, there are a number of very close fights for the class prizes. There are four touring classes - 750 cc, 1100 cc, under two-litre, and over two-litre. Four classes for standard production cars. Then, there are four sports classes - 750 cc, 1300 cc, under two-litre, and over two-litre. That is four classes for outright sportscars. The most interest centres on the leading drivers, those with the skill and experience to be outright winner. From the USA comes John Fitch. Britain's Stirling Moss isn't sure which of all the free gifts you drink and which you clean your clothes with. Jean Heurtaux from France has a bottle of Italian brandy and a British Jaguar. So has Tony Rolt, one of the few really calm people left in the whole of Brescia. Franco Cortese from Milan tried to look equally English in his tweed jacket and cap. And here's one of the very special Lancias, already being praised, photographed and discussed. "Clearly, the inboard front brakes will reduce the unsprung weight considerably." The Lancia drivers include Biondetti, the Wolf of Tuscany, already part of the folklore of Italy, four times winner of the Mille Miglia, and the author of many famous proverbs of the race. And here's Bonetto, a courageous and versatile driver of sports and racing cars. And the calculating and conscientious Taruffi. Now the public can see the new Alfa Romeo for the first time. Here's Alfa's finest driver, Fangio, with Gordini, the French designer, on his right. Fangio won the world championship for Alfa in 1951. He's not only got the qualities for a champion, skill, courage and intelligence, he has genius. Fangio is strongly supported by Kling, the greatest German driver of today, and Sanesi, Alfa's brilliant chief tester. No factory, except Ferrari, has ever produced such a varied range of cars in one race - nearly every one different, but each an example of perfect craftsmanship. The Ferrari team manager, Ugolini, speaks to Cacciari. One of our film unit will be his co-driver. The cinema is going to be well-represented, for here's Roberto Rossellini, one of Italy's famous film directors. And this is last year's winner, Bracco, whose inspired driving so often seems to stray over that thin line between genius and madness. Paolo Marzotto is not only following his elder brother Giannino by driving a Ferrari, but already biting at his heels. Farina, who is accompanied by his faithful mechanic, Parenti, and Villoresi will be the backbone of the Ferrari attack. And here's Tom Cole, the Ferrari driver from the USA. As Ferrari surveys the final preparation of his cars, he can feel some confidence in tomorrow, for among his drivers, he sees the winner of the 1950 Mille Miglia, Giannino Marzotto… the winner of 1951, Gigi Villoresi, and last year's winner, Gianni Bracco. But it will be no easy win, and all around Brescia, cars are getting their last touches, for in a few hours, the 20th Mille Miglia, the Mille Miglia of 1953 will have started. Towards nine o'clock, the tension begins to mount. The flag of Brescia is raised… and off goes a Fiat Topolino. At half-minute intervals, the rest of the 750 cc touring class will follow, setting off east towards the Adriatic. Ten o'clock, and now it's time for the 750 cc sportscars. The starting ramp is to let people who have paid for seats see the cars. The police would admit they can't keep the road clear with such an enthusiastic crowd. These in the larger cars leave at one-minute intervals. Hour after hour, one car after another moves off across Italy and down towards Ravenna. Cars have been pouring into the control since midnight. A card is carried on each car, and the driver must stop and get it stamped before he leaves. Back at Brescia, the 1100 cc sportscars are leaving. It's nearly 3:40, time for Venezian to start in his OSCA. By tradition, Castagneto wears the bowler hat he wore to start the first Millie Miglia in 1927. The two-litre sports class has a great variety of cars. Here's an Alfa Romeo with a special Swiss body. And just before four minutes past five, Cortese's Fiat V8 arrives, just seven minutes ahead of Musso's two-litre Maserati. And here's our car, Cacciari's two-litre Ferrari. And this is Aly Khan's Alfa with Zehender driving. By now, over 400 cars are in the race, and down the coast they go to Pescara. From Pescara, they turn west, through the mountain villages of the Abruzzi. Beyond Aquila, they climb up to the Sella di Corno. John Fitch, the American entry, in a Nash-Healey, is first of the unlimited sports class, the fastest class of all. Two minutes behind is Stirling Moss in his Jaguar. The team manager of Mercedes, Neubauer, is here just to watch. Paolo Marzotto's off. Rosselini is exactly half an hour behind our Ferrari, but his has the larger three-litre engine. And here's one of the Lancias, Anselmi's. And now, one of the great Ferrari hopes, Giannino Marzotto. And as Peter Collins' Aston leaves, Johnny Lockett arrives with his Austin-Healey. The mayor of Brescia starts Fangio's Alfa. And it's Neubauer starting Kling. Tom Cole, the American driver, leaves in his Ferrari. And just behind him is last year's winner, Bracco. Parnell's Aston Martin is leaving, with Villoresi, 1951 winner, close behind. Farina in another works Ferrari. Biondetti in his new Lancia. Jean Heurtaux in his Jaguar. And Mike Hawthorn, driving for Ferrari and his first Mille Miglia. As the last cars leave, the people of Brescia go home to rest. While 300 miles further on, at Ravenna, the Porsches are checking in. There are nearly two dozen of these fast German saloons. Many stop here to refuel. There's 200 miles to the next control at Pescara. Already, there are several outstanding class performances. Palmieri in the two-litre touring. Venezian in the 1100 cc sports. Thirty miles ahead, in the mountains, is Popoli, with its so-called level crossing. Special flags are used to warn drivers. There are far too many hazards for anyone to learn them all. Unexpected corners, narrow bridges, level crossings that may be closed, and optimistic sympathisers encouraging everyone to go faster. Another 30 miles to the control at Aquila, where the car must be stamped for the third time. And it's easy to make a mistake when you've been up all night. The highest point on this part of the circuit, 3,000 feet up, and there is a surprise for everyone this year - it isn't raining. The route descends through the mountain, down to Rome. The morning mist is still clinging when the first 750 touring cars arrive. A French Dyna Panhard is fastest. A modified Dyna Panhard, the DB, leads the 750 sportscars. With only seconds between them, the cars in both 750 classes are pouring into the control. From Rome, the cars head back up north. And along the route are many signs for Mille Miglia. "Viva OSCA", "Viva the drivers", and "Viva Alfa Romeo". And sometimes, still faintly visible, "Viva Nuvolari". On up north race the small cars. Most are going well, but some are in trouble. Others look as if they've been out in the holiday traffic between Rome and the sea. Near the top of the Radicofani pass, crowds have been waiting since early morning for the first car to arrive. And it's number six, Provasi's French Dyna Panhard… an ordinary saloon with a tiny 750 cc engine, third at Rome, with barely one minute between the first three cars in the 750 touring class. Closing up is the leader of the fastest 750 sports class, Touzot and Persillon in the DB. The Dyna Panard seem to be swamping all opposition, but here's 82, the baby Renault of Angelelli taking the lead. Ravenna, and here is Giannino Marzotto. The Ferrari has broken every record, with an average speed of well over 100 miles an hour for the first 180 miles. Peter Collins, Mike Keen, and their Aston Martin are being refuelled. Fast enough to be well in the picture. Fangio with the first of the new Alfas, a little slower than Marzotto's Ferrari. Kling, a fraction faster than Fangio. And it is an Alfa, driven by Sanesi, that is fastest to Ravenna, with a Ferrari, driven by Farina, in second place. Bracco, seven and a half minutes slower than Sanesi's Alfa gives strong Ferrari support. Rosselini is going steadily, although Tom Cole is about to pass him. He's about 15 minutes behind the leaders. Although the Aston Martin is stationary, the experienced Parnell isn't wasting a second. The pace is telling. Around the circuit are cars in trouble. And many of the fastest cars are already out. Hawthorn, Johnson, Moss, Taruffi, Villoresi and Wisdom, all have retired. At Pescara, some of the two-litre sportscars are now refuelling. One of the new Maseratis, driven by Musso, is setting a terrific pace and already leads its class by seven minutes. Now, Cortese looks a little less English on this Sunday morning. Sixty miles on, Aquila, and the OSCA's leading the 1100 sports class. There's 20 minutes between Venezian's leading OSCA and the Fiat Ermini of Brandi. Rome, and an Alfa Romeo saloon is the first of the two-litre touring class to arrive. There are 185 cars in this class alone, 185 moderate-sized saloon cars having a magnificent race amongst themselves. Stagnoli started at 2:30, long after anyone who has reached Rome so far. But there's no time to lose, for Palmieri, who left at 3:22, is racing through the field and putting up the fastest time of the whole class. In the 1300 touring class, there are 120 of these little Fiat 1100 saloons. Another evenly matched struggle between ordinary saloon cars with a premium on driving skill. Here are the Mancinis, who led the whole way and won by just 15 seconds from Serena and Piccolo in a similar Fiat 1100. Cars with a top speed of little more than 80, which average over 65 for the whole thousand miles. The castle of Radicofani and the old customs houses between the Vatican States and Tuscany are left behind as the route goes on to Siena. A hundred and forty miles from Rome, Siena, with its 13th-century cathedral, where Richard Wagner composed, now echoes to a different sound. The police play a big part in running the race and wave the little cars on as they leave for the north. But now the unlimited sports, the fastest cars of all, are arriving at Pescara. All records fly as Giannino Marzotto's Ferrari is checked in. And here's the first of the Alfas, just 31 seconds faster than the Ferrari. Another Alfa, Kling, even faster than Fangio, by 47 seconds. A Ferrari is five minutes faster still, Farina. Fastest British car, Peter Collins' Aston. Fastest of all, Sanesi's Alfa, nearly five minutes faster than Farina, a new record 109 miles an hour from Brescia to Pescara. Another Ferrari, Tom Cole. He's going to refuel. Reg Parnell. All British hopes of a place now rest on the Aston Martins, for Tony Rolt's car, the last of the Jaguars, is out. The two-litre sportscars have reached Aquila. And it is now a complete triumph for the new Maseratis, with Musso in first place. And not far behind is Mantovani. Giletti eventually won the class, with an average of over 80 for the whole race. The two-litres are now being caught up by the fastest cars. Sanesi is out, but Alfas still lead. Fangio is in second place. And just behind is Kling, fastest of all by 50 seconds. Bracco is now fourth. And this is our Ferrari... with the Aston of George Abecassis just behind. Paul Frère's Chrysler leads the unlimited touring cars at Rome, and its vast comfort spreads an air of leisure over the control. Yes, it is Ingrid Bergman waiting for Rosselini. Nearly 100 miles beyond Rome, the battle for the two-litre touring class is on. Stagnoli's Alfa in second place. Faster than any comes Palmieri. And 20 minutes behind is Pagliai, the eventual winner. And here's Stagnoli being passed by a Fiat 1100. But the Alfa gets off again to finish second. The outstanding performance was put up by Palmieri, for he led the largest class by nearly half an hour, only to have the car put out by mechanical trouble on the very last stage. And on goes the race, with hundreds and hundreds of different cars of all sorts and sizes battling it out all over Italy. The smallest cars now reaching up from Siena to Florence. French cars are leading in both the sports and touring classes as they leave on the next 65-mile stretch to Bologna. Bologna, with the oldest university in Europe and famed for its good living. The winner of the 750 touring class is here, a baby Renault. A Fiat makes an heroic effort to finish. And this is the last control before Brescia, and many cars have a final fill-up and check-over. The last 140 miles form one of the fastest sections of the whole circuit and lead back across the plains of Lombardy to Brescia, where all are waiting for the first car to arrive. And way ahead of every other car, by nearly half an hour, comes a little French DB Dyna Panard. Persillon and Touzot have driven for over 14 hours, and averaged 66 miles an hour. A Dyna Panard saloon is the first of the 750 touring cars to arrive. But Angelelli's Renault won the class. And here's the battered Fiat, not only finishing but in sixth place. The crowds at Rome wait as a battle for outright victory draws closer. The Ferrari of Giannino Marzotto has covered the first 500 miles at over 95 miles an hour. It's difficult for an early starter to know if he's going fast enough to hold the cars behind him, but Giannino knows that he will need everything to get the lead from the Alfas. Another Ferrari. It's Paolo Marzotto. The Alfa still leads. Fangio is going three minutes more over Giannino's Ferrari. And as Fangio pulls up to the Alfa pits to refuel, another Alfa arrives. Kling is fastest of all by 40 seconds. Alfas at first and second at Rome. Here's Fangio, but it is Kling who leads, tying for the second year running to disprove Biondetti's proverb, "He who leads at Rome can never win the Mille Miglia at Brescia." Somebody's been trying, and it's Peter Collins. Another Ferrari, Bracco is fourth. Bracco is now heading towards the mountains, where, last year, he took the lead to win. A new Lancia, Bonetto, fifth. Parnell, delayed by some straw bales, but that hasn't stopped him. He and Collins are now both in the first ten. And here's our Ferrari, still ahead of Rosselini's. Another Aston, with George Abecassis, is just two and a half minutes faster than Biondetti's Lancia. Rosselini has arrived. Rosselini retires at Rome, but we head north. All the way, the crowds line the road as we try to steady our camera against the bumps. And here's a lorry. And that's George Abecassis. It may take pluck to drive in Mille Miglia, but that seems nothing to the pluck shown by many thousands of spectators. Biondetti says, "It is necessary to have the courage to drive slowly." Here is Biondetti. But perhaps he doesn't include himself. We've been having a private race with this Nardi since early this morning. But it is the fight between the Alfas and the Ferraris for outright victory on which all attention is now focussed. The Alfa Romeo, Fangio, leads. Kling is out, and Fangio has taken his place. The fastest car still in the race has now nearly caught up with the Ferrari of Paolo Marzotto, which left Brescia 19 minutes before the Alfa and is now less than two minutes ahead. Seventeen minutes have been lost, but his speed is high enough to make Paolo one of the best remaining Ferrari hopes of a win, for anything can happen to the leaders in this race, and there are nearly 300 miles yet to go. And here comes the leading Ferrari, Giannino Marzotto, now in second place. His brother Paolo's Ferrari is just behind. Fangio's Alfa, still fastest of all. The Ferrari is climbing the Radicofani. Giannino Marzotto knows the mountains of his own country better than Fangio, so here's a chance to make up part of those vital four minutes, the four minutes the Ferrari was behind the Alfa at Rome. Paolo Marzotto is now up in third place with his Ferrari. The Alfa Romeo is here. Fangio using all his skill to make up for his lack of intimate knowledge of the roads. Fangio is trying hard, but he won't know if he's going fast enough to hold his four-minute lead until he arrives at Siena control. Bonetto is proving that the new Lancia's a fine car. It's up in fourth place. Another Ferrari is coming through the field. Tom Cole has passed Peter Collins. Something must have happened. The Aston Martin was up in seventh place and has now lost some 20 minutes, a bad blow to British hopes. More at home in the mountains than any other driver, Biondetti, still holder of the record for the Futa crossing. And now, let's get up to the next control point at Siena. The Ferraris of Giannino and Paolo Marzotto have checked out before the Alfa arrives. And Fangio's lead has been cut from four minutes to less than two. There is less than two minutes between the Alfa and the Ferrari. Bonetto is holding fourth place with a Lancia. Parnell's Aston, and Biondetti not far behind. And there's George Abecassis' Aston. One of the many standard Lancia Aurelia saloons is leaving Siena and moving on across the hills towards Florence. There's little chance to relax on this section, even if you've been up most of the night, for it is only too easy to go into one of these corners too fast. On the other hand, if you get too cautious, you lose seconds that soon pile up into minutes. But by now, the Ferrari is reaching Florence control. A wonderful drive, but has Giannino made up those two more minutes? Now, the Alfa's answered the challenge, gaining four seconds more lead and passing Paolo. Poor Musso. Bonetto leads, still fourth. Peter Collins stands little chance now of making up that lost 20 minutes. Tough luck after a brilliant early drive. And here's a surprise. Reg Parnell. His Aston's come right up into sixth place, passing Tom Cole. But Tom gets away first. Beyond Florence is the Futa Pass, over the Apennines, the last great obstacle before Bologna. And close behind the Lancia comes the Ferrari. The last chance for Giannino Marzotto to use his knowledge of the mountains to gain those two vital minutes. Fangio also knows, there is not a second to spare if the Alfa is to stay in first place. Bologna, and the Ferrari has broken the record for crossing the Futa, a record that has stood since Biondetti made it in 1938. But there's no time to spare, and Giannino waves to his pit as he pulls up to refuel for the last time. But the Alfa is not here, and the two minutes are nearly up. And the Ferrari leads. And it's the Alfa. Fangio's had trouble with the steering and has now dropped three minutes behind the Ferrari. Can he make up the three minutes? More important, is it safe to go on? Fangio is continuing the race. And here's Paolo Marzotto. His third place looked certain, but soon after this, the car caught fire and was completely burnt out. And away goes Bonetto. The throttle control has gone, and Reg Parnell has fixed it wide open, and he's driving on the ignition switch. And the news has come through to Brescia that the Ferrari now leads. And here comes Giannino Marzotto to win the 20th Mille Miglia. And there's news of the Alfa. It's passed through Piacenza at a tremendous speed, but people say the car appears to be steering with only one wheel, and it's starting to rain. And here he is, the Alfa, less than 12 minutes behind Marzotto. Bonetto brings his Lancia in third. Tom Cole, Ferrari, fourth. And here's Reg Parnell's Aston, fifth. Biondetti has stopped just two and a half miles from the finish. What cruel luck. Paul Frère's Chrysler wins the unlimited touring. But here is Biondetti. He and his mechanic have pushed the car two and a half miles, much of it uphill. As the Lancia crosses the line to gain a well-deserved eighth place, a new proverb of the Mille Miglia is created, not by Biondetti this time, but about him. "The heart is more important than the engine." The Countess Maggi gives flowers to Reg Parnell, as the well-deserved congratulations continue. Fangio may not have won, but it's taken more than genius for him to finish in second place. To drive from Bologna with faulty steering, at a speed only slightly slower than the winners, took great courage. Full honour to Giannino Marzotto, winner of the 20th Mille Miglia. He, above all, has proved both his courage and skill, for it is a terrific thing to win, when even to finish the Mille Miglia is something of which any driver can be proud.