#TargaFlorio
The Targa Florio was one of the most demanding and historic endurance races in motorsport, held on public mountain roads in Sicily, near Palermo. Founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Florio—an Italian industrialist and racing enthusiast—the event aimed to place Italy at the forefront of international motorsport. Initially run on circuits up to 148 km per lap, the race challenged drivers with narrow roads, steep elevation changes, and unpredictable weather. Over time, the course was shortened; in its final decades it was run on the 72 km Piccolo Circuito delle Madonie, with 11 laps totaling nearly 800 km. Unlike races on closed circuits, the Targa Florio wound through towns, mountain passes, and rural landscapes, placing extreme demands on both cars and drivers. From 1955 to 1973, it counted toward the World Sportscar Championship, attracting top manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Mercedes-Benz. The rivalry between Porsche and Ferrari was especially intense in the 1960s and early '70s, with Porsche winning 11 times between 1956 and 1973. Cars like the Porsche 908/3, Ferrari 312PB, and Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 were designed specifically for the event’s unique terrain. By the mid-1970s, growing safety concerns and the increasing performance of prototype cars rendered the event unsuitable for international competition. After 1973, it became a national-level race and was eventually discontinued in 1977 following a series of fatal accidents. Organized throughout its history by the Automobile Club of Palermo, the Targa Florio endures today through historic rallies and commemorative events, preserving its legacy as a landmark in the history of road racing.
We'll tell the story of this race on the occasion of its anniversary or when it will reach a sufficient number of cars.
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The census of all the cars related to this topic is in progress.
CARS (35)
1953 Fiat 8V "Corsa"
- Coachbuilder: Carrozzerie Speciali Fiat
- Chassis n°: 106*000032*
- Engine n°: 104.000*000080*
Private collection
1954 O.S.C.A. MT4-2AD 1500
- Coachbuilder: Fratelli Morelli
- Chassis n°: 1151
- Engine n°: 1509
Private collection
1954 Maserati Sport 2000
- Coachbuilder: Fiandri & Malagoli
- Chassis n°: *2064*
- Engine n°: *2092*
Private collection
1954 Ermini 357 Sport
- Coachbuilder: Fratelli Morelli
- Chassis n°: 15 55
- Engine n°: M-1555
Private collection
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR
- Coachbuilder: Mercedes-Benz
- Chassis n°: 196.110-00004/55
- Engine n°: M196/60
MERCEDES-BENZ AG (DE)
1955 Fiat 8V ZAGATO
- Coachbuilder: Zagato
- Chassis n°: 106*000083*
- Engine n°: 104.000168
Private collection
1955 Ermini 357 Sport
- Coachbuilder: Carrozzeria Scaglietti
- Chassis n°: 1555
- Engine n°: Unknown
Private collection
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
- Coachbuilder: Mercedes-Benz
- Chassis n°: 198.040.6500028
- Engine n°: 1989806500038
Private collection
1956 O.S.C.A. S-187
- Coachbuilder: Fratelli Morelli
- Chassis n°: 751
- Engine n°: 751 AL
Private collection
1959 Ferrari 250 TR 59/60
- Coachbuilder: Carrozzeria Fantuzzi
- Chassis n°: 0772 known until 1960
- Engine n°: 0772 Removed after 1960 Targa Florio
EDITORIAL CONTENT
1964 Ferrari Berlinetta 250/Le Mans
- Coachbuilder: Pininfarina
- Chassis n°: *6167* known until 1968
- Engine n°: 6167 Removed after 1968 Targa Florio
EDITORIAL CONTENT
1967 Lancia Fulvia Sport 1,3
- Coachbuilder: Zagato
- Chassis n°: 818332001289
- Engine n°: 84967
Private collection
1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2
- Coachbuilder: Autodelta
- Chassis n°: 75033014
- Engine n°: 0028
Private collection
1969 Porsche 911 S Sportwagen
- Coachbuilder: Karmann
- Chassis n°: 119301155
- Engine n°: 6522811
Private collection
1974 Lancia Strato's HF
- Coachbuilder: Bertone
- Chassis n°: 829AR0001512
- Engine n°: 135C00-0008322
Private collection