Lot 500: 1947 Cistalia 202 SMM Recreation

In 1946 Piero Dusio, a successful Italian businessman founded Cisitalia. A string of successful race and road cars was to follow. One of the most important Cisitalia race cars was the 1947 202 SMM driven by Tazio Nuvolari. This lightweight, tube frame car carried an aerodynamic aluminum body, and a race modified Fiat 1089cc dry sump engine. In the 1947 Mille Miglia, Nuvolari led as far as Turin, only to be passed in the pouring rain by an Alfa Romeo engined race car that was three times more powerful. After this race the car became known as the Nuvolari Spyder in recognition of this legendary racer's Mille Miglia drive. Piero Taruffi went on to win the Italian Championship in a 202 SMM in 1947.

The car being sold here is a recreation of the tubular frame and body. It is believed that that the car was made in Italy approximately fifteen years ago. It is fitted with an engine, transmission and suspension that are not in running order. This car is sold as a rolling chassis only and would make a worthy addition to any collection of Italian racing machinery as a display vehicle.