1959 Stanguellini Formula Jr
Lent by Bill Gelles
First marque to find success in Formula Jr. at Monaco
This chassis imported to USA by Briggs Cunningham
Raced around the USA in period
Stanguellini was the first marque to be successful in a race for Formula Junior race at Monaco when, in 1959, the Swiss driver Michael May won in a Stanguellini powered by a Fiat engine. While British entries for the Monaco race abounded the Stanguellini front engine car prevailed.
The Stanguellini was one of a host of Italian juniors which were very competitive in the years after the introduction of the new class. They used a Fiat engine and gearbox and the overall dimensions, and specifications of the car were clearly delineated.
This car was imported to the USA by Briggs Cunningham and Alfred Momo and ran its first race at Watkins Glen on September 25th. It was then driven by a famous group of American drivers in races around the country, including Walt Hansgen, Ed Crawford, Augie Pabst, Bob Grossman, and Gaston Andrey.
It was acquired by its current owner Bill Gelles in September 1972 and since that date it has been carefully maintained and enthusiastically raced at nearly 100 events all over the United States and Canada. This car is now for sale, click here for more information:
Like the OSCA it has the engine in front of the driver and bears a strong resemblance to the front engine Grand Prix cars of the fifties, the Maserati 250F and the Ferrari 246.
Specifications:
Engine: 1.0 Liter Fiat inline 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 108 hp @ 8700 rpm
Top Speed: 138 mph
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Weight: 1047 lbs