1959 Stanguellini Formula Junior

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: 0186
Mot Expiry: N/A

Among the first to heed racing driver turned journalist Count 'Johnny' Lurani's cry for a more accessible, production car based Italian single-seater feeder series (a.k.a. Formula Junior), tuning wizard / sports racer manufacturer Vittorio Stanguellini began work on a suitable design in late 1957. Developed with assistance from Ing Alberto Massimino (whose CV included the Maserati 250F) and tested by five times world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, the resultant prototype made liberal use of contemporary Fiat running gear. Based around a tubular steel ladder frame chassis complete with 80mm side members and a latticework superstructure to support its aluminium bodywork, the racer featured independent parallel wishbone front suspension, a coil-sprung 'live' back axle and four-wheel drum brakes. Producing some 78bhp @ 6,500rpm, its 1089cc OHV four-cylinder engine was allied to a four-speed manual gearbox complete with specially chosen ratios. Surprisingly fast thanks to a dry weight of just 420kg the Modenese firm's creations won the 1958 and 1959 Italian Formula Junior Championships as well as the 1959 International Formula Junior Championship (the FIA having embraced the series at the end of the previous year). Riding on Borrani wire wheels and looking like an escapee from the Prancing Horse or Trident stables, the Stanguellini Formula Junior also famously launched the careers of both Wolfgang Von Trips and Lorenzo Bandini. Progressively evolved through three series (the final versions boasting using independent rear suspension), approximately 115 are thought to have been made with customer deliveries beginning in June 1958 and ending some two years later.
Finished in maroon, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "excellent" condition with regard to its 1100cc engine, four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. Said to have been mechanically rebuilt following its "purchase from a Munich racing school by Gottfried Richrath in 1991", the monoposto is one of two Stanguellini FJs laying claim to the chassis number '0186'. Potentially eligible for Formula Junior Historic Racing Association events (or so accompanying file correspondence would suggest), the car was cosmetically refurbished by Flavien Marcais prior to entering the current ownership last year. Wonderfully nostalgic, it is only being offered for sale due to the seller's race plans being thwarted by health problems.

PLEASE NOTE: We have not had this vehicle running.