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The Tragic 1957 Mille Miglia

As we look ahead to the centenary of the Mille Miglia in 2027, we continue our nostalgic look back at the great races of the past, turning our attention today to the tragic 1957 Mille Miglia, the final competitive running of Italy’s legendary 1,000-mile road race.

The 1957 Mille Miglia is remembered as one of the most dramatic and tragic chapters in motorsport history. Run on 11–12 May, the legendary 1,000-mile road race across Italy brought together some of the world’s greatest drivers and fastest sports cars. But what began as a celebration of speed and endurance would end in disaster, claiming the lives of 11 people and permanently changing the future of road racing.

Image Credit: kmm.it

Among the leading contenders was Ferrari driver Alfonso de Portago, sharing a Ferrari 335 S with co-driver Edmund Nelson. De Portago was chasing victory as the race approached the finish, with Stirling Moss and Peter Collins among those battling for honours. The Ferrari was travelling at enormous speed through the countryside when tragedy struck near the village of Guidizzolo.

A tyre on de Portago's Ferrari failed at high speed, sending the car violently off the road and into the crowd. De Portago and Nelson were killed instantly, along with nine spectators, including five children. The scale of the accident shocked Italy and the wider motorsport world, with images of the wreckage and its victims creating a lasting legacy for one of the world's most famous road races.

Image Credit: History.com

The disaster also brought the future of the Mille Miglia into question. Following the crash, the Italian government and authorities faced enormous pressure over the dangers of running a high-speed race on public roads. The 1957 event proved to be the final competitive running of the classic point-to-point Mille Miglia, ending an extraordinary era that had begun in 1927.

Today, the Mille Miglia is celebrated in a very different form, with the historicity event allowing eligible classic cars to retrace much of the legendary route under controlled conditions. Yet the events of 1957 remain an important reminder of both the extraordinary bravery of the drivers and the terrible risks of an era when racing technology, speed and public roads collided with devastating consequences.

Image Credit: The Gentleman Racer

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1967 Aston Martin DB6 Short Chassis Volante Reimagined

Few cars capture the glamour and sporting character of the 1960s quite like the Aston Martin DB6, and this 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Short Chassis Volante offered by Runnymede Motor Company takes that iconic formula to another level. Completely restored and re-modelled to concours standard by a highly respected restorer, the car has been transformed to closely resemble the rare Short Chassis Volante, of which just 37 original examples were built.

1967 Aston Martin DB6 Short Chassis Volante | £525,000.00

The transformation included entirely new bodywork crafted by Bodylines in Olney, using original bucks to achieve the correct proportions and appearance. Finished in elegant Steel Blue, the car is complemented by a beautifully appointed Portland Grey hide interior, trimmed by Piper Trimming in Yeovil. A dark blue mohair hood and premium blue Boyriven carpeting throughout complete an exceptionally tasteful specification.

1967 Aston Martin DB6 Short Chassis Volante | £525,000.00

Underneath, no corners have been cut. All of the car's mechanical moving components have either been replaced with new Aston Martin parts or rebuilt to the highest standards. The engine has been uprated to 4.2 litres and has covered fewer than 1,000 miles since the rebuild, meaning it remains barely run-in. The rebuilt five-speed ZF gearbox, prepared by BPA, further enhances the driving experience.

1967 Aston Martin DB6 Short Chassis Volante | £525,000.00

The result is a DB6 that combines the character of one of Aston Martin's most celebrated grand tourers with the visual appeal and proportions of the highly desirable Short Chassis Volante. The quality of the reconstruction is evident throughout, with exceptional craftsmanship from the specialists involved in every stage of the project. It offers the opportunity to enjoy the look and feel of one of Aston Martin's rarest open cars without the seven-figure price tag attached to an original example.

1967 Aston Martin DB6 Short Chassis Volante | £525,000.00

An original Short Chassis Volante in comparable condition would today command well over £1.2 million, making this car's newly reduced £525,000 asking price particularly compelling. With the price having been reduced by £100,000 for a quick sale and inspections welcomed, this beautifully executed DB6 represents a fascinating proposition for collectors seeking something genuinely special. View the 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Short Chassis Volante for sale on Classic Motors For Sale, from Runnymede Motor Company.