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1966 Cobra, Mille Miglia Race-Brescia, Italy
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Rail Fair, Mille Miglia (106)An icon of American culture, steam locomotives and railroads are the symbol of progress and industrial might. Matthew Murray of England developed the steam locomotive in 1804 to speed the transport of goods. The "Best Friend" was built in 1830 at the West Point Foundry at New York, becoming the first completely American-built steam engine to go into scheduled passenger service. Today, many retired and restored locomotives are on display at railroad museums across the country and through individuals who restore as a hobby.
Known as the "most beautiful race in the world," the Mille Miglia of today brings back to life the racing classics—Maseratis, BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguars, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Alfa Romeos and many others. The very first Mille Miglia was held on the streets of Italy in 1927 as a test of endurance. After a crash in 1957 that killed 12 people, the race was banned. It wasn't until 1977 that the "Mille Miglia" was revived in an effort to showcase classic racecars of the past. The city of Brescia, Italy hosts the four-day event, and cars vintage 1927-1957 are brought back to life to race on open roads. The route runs through such cities as Rome and Tuscany before returning to Brescia after 1000 miles—or "Mille Miglia" as Italians would say.
Rail Fair Facts:
- Known as "Harvey Girls," women were recruited nationwide to serve in Fred Harvey's railway restaurants.
- Part of the criteria for being hired as a Harvey Girl was upstanding moral character.
- The first American trains ran on timber rail.
- The first trains in the early 1800s ran at 5 mph pulling 10 coal trains.
- By 1832, American No. 1 was capable of regular speeds of 60 mph with its 9.5" by 16" cylinders.
Resources:
Steam, Smoke and Steel: Back in Time With Trains
by Patrick O'Brien
American Steam Locomotive
by Brian Solomon
www.steamlocomotive.com
Online resource for museums, history, facts and other information.
Mille Miglia Facts:
- All cars that compete in the Mille Miglia must be vintage 1957 or earlier.
- All entrants are given gift bags filled with designer items such as Prada bags and Choppard watches.
- The entry fee is $1,650 per car.
- The 1955 Mille Miglia was won by Sterling Moss in a Mercedes 300 SLR in record time. That record has never been beaten.
- The 2002 Mille Miglia had 370 participants and 275 completed the race.
Resources:
Mille Miglia Race: The Postwar Years
by Andrea Curami
World's Greatest Motor Competitions: The Mille Miglia
by Mike Lawrence
www.kastroll.de/e/mille-miglia.html
Tips for visitors and spectators of Mille Miglia.
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