Automotive Masterpieces' Case Histories
Our approach: how research work can add value or discover things Result of a true "science of research", we show you a selection of discoveries made by Automotive Masterpieces that have brought out unknown facts.
December 7, 2017
MILLE MIGLIA & RACES ATTRIBUTIONS, FAMILY ALBUM
STARTING POINTThe case of the 1951 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT, (Pinin Farina), chassis no. B20-1246, is that of a vehicle for which there was no research. The searches start on the occasion of the sale of the car at the famous "2000 Ruote" auction where no race was highlighted.RESEARCHOur research, thanks to the elaboration of the material obtained from the museum archives, from the vintage press and [...]
November 24, 2017
MASERATI ROAD TEST PRESS EVENT
STARTING POINTOf this 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder (Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale & C.), chassis no. *101*727*, little and confusing information was available.RESEARCHThe meticulous research work led to the identification of details that give uniqueness to the specimen, a prototype, and brought to light the press presentation event in which it participated.
November 16, 2017
ORIGINAL BODY & COPPA INTEREUROPA ATTRIBUTION
STARTING POINTThe 1949 Fiat 1100 S (Carrozzerie Speciali Fiat), chassis no. 500065, was known for its uniqueness, wearing a first series 8V type body, designed by Luigi Fabio Rapi.RESEARCHThe research in the photographic archives with which we have been collaborating for years and with which we have built a relationship of mutual trust, has allowed us to find photos of the car still equipped with [...]
November 15, 2017
PHOTOGRAPHIC RESEARCH
STARTING POINTThe owner of the 1955 Fiat 8V ZAGATO, chassis no. 106*000083*, knew (only) the vintage photos published in the Ottovu volume by Tony Adriaensens, the reference book for the model.RESEARCHThe patient and meticulous research, in this case purely photographic, has produced the discovery of over 100 historical images that highlight the sporting history, show the accidents that have [...]
October 19, 2017
FAMILY ALBUM
STARTING POINTOf the 1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport (Carrozzeria Castagna Milano), chassis no. 121215037, no vintage photos were known.RESEARCHHistorical research has been particularly demanding on this car, born and used for purely tourist and private use and not having appeared on public racetracks or events covered by the press. It proceeded going backwards like a shrimp! By following the [...]
June 22, 2017
MOTOR SHOW & BROCHURE CAR
STARTING POINTIt was known, that the 1953 Fiat 8V (Carrozzerie Speciali Fiat), chassis no. 106000067, was a car owned by Umberto Agnelli, which had raced in the Sestriere Rally and which had been exhibited in Paris.RESEARCHThrough our work, combining sources and carefully analyzing the data, thanks to the innovative digital systems at our disposal, we have been able to obtain news and validate [...]
April 13, 2017
FAMOUS OWNER IDENTITY MISTAKE & OLD RESTORATION
STARTING POINTIt was believed that the 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT (Pinin Farina), chassis no. 0399GT, was the car of Sidney Chaplin, brother of Charlie Chaplin.RESEARCHCareful documentary and iconographic research and a comparison with the press of the time resulted in the fact that the car actually belonged to Sidney Chaplin, son of Charlie Chaplin, namesake of his uncle. Historical research has [...]
April 7, 2017
ORIGINAL BODY & RACES VALIDATION
STARTING POINTThe 1938 Lancia Aprilia Sport Pagani (Viotti/Benelli), chassis no.39.2849, is a car whose known history was only sketchy and without photographic documentation.RESEARCHIn this case, the search yielded three distinct results:1) A careful validation of the races, with evidence of participation, in order to arrive at a certified story.2) Clarification on the evolution of the body.3) [...]
March 9, 2017
COLOR PHOTO
STARTING POINTOf the 1954 Autobleu 750 Mille Miles (Carrosserie G.T.R.), chassis no.195475, the story was known, documented by photographic material in black and white.RESEARCHEven when the story is known, our work is full of surprises. It can be safely said that in this case the research was useful not only in validating the history of the car, but in influencing its current appearance. Research [...]
February 6, 2017
RAC TOURIST TROPHY PHOTOS
STARTING POINTOf the 1928 Riley 9 HP Brookland Speed Model, chassis no. 60/19, no historical photos were available; although known, they had been lost.RESEARCHIn this case our work was purely research in photographic image archives. Archives are a precious source and still reserve surprises but they have different levels of organization and evolution; in this moment of intense digitization, we [...]
December 30, 2016
RACES ATTRIBUTIONS
STARTING POINTThe 1975 Lancia Strato's HF (Bertone), chassis no. 829AR0001868, is an important car with a marked sporting past.RESEARCHSometimes, having a known story can be misleading or confusing if you don't have a solid foundation. In this case we found ourselves carrying out particularly tough and selective analyses; a careful analysis of the period photos and an identification of the list [...]
December 27, 2016
CONCOURS, RACES, HISTORICAL CONTINUITY ATTRIBUTION
STARTING POINTThe 1950 Cisitalia 202 Spyder (Carrozzeria Castagna Milano), chassis no. 154SC, is a well-known car but without traced historical events.RESEARCHThe research has produced the discovery of several events over time: the oldest is the 1950 Concorso d’Eleganza del Lido di Venezia; followed by the 1951 Varese-Campo dei Fiori, the 1953 Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore Merano. More [...]