Serenissima and the 24 Hours of Le Mans: 1966 [2/2]

In 1964, Giovanni Volpi became a full-fledged constructor, and so was born the first road Serenissima, christened the 308 V. The coupe was equipped with a 3.5-liter V8 engine mounted centrally in a tubular frame and an aluminum body that served as the base for the Spyder seen at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Only two of this version of the car were produced: one was driven in competiton in 1965 by Belgian driver Willy Mairesse (eight participations in the 24 Hours with three podium finishes) and the second took the start at Le Mans in 1966.

The latter Serenissima Spyder was entrusted to a duo of French drivers, Jean de Mortemart and Jean-Claude Sauer. As the duel between Ferrari and Ford monopolized everyone's attention at the 34th running of the 24 Hours, the Serenissima Spyder quietly sported the most coveted racing number: the 24.

Qualified in 42nd position, de Mortemart and Sauer were forced to retire with gearbox troubles in the fifth hour, after a spin at the start of the race. Serenissima had brought a second car to the 1966 24 Hours, a GT prototype nicknamed the "Jungla" by its mechanics, but it never hit the track.

Thereafter, Serenissima created two other rather unique sporting GT coupes, the Agena in 1967 and the Ghia GT in 1968. Meanwhile, Count Giovanni Volpi diligently preserved the Spyder (the only one still in existence) in the same original state as it was crossing the finish line at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. When it was presented for sale at the Artcurial auction at Rétromobile, the patina of time had given its golden paint surprising silvery highlights. And of course, there was the number 24 in all its glory on the hood and doors.

Sold for 4,218,800 euros on 8 February, what fate now awaits the Serenissima Spyder? Will its new American owner conserve the car as it was at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans? Will he decide to restore it, thereby rendering it ineligible to take part in any major vintage car races like the Le Mans Classic? Only time will tell.

 

PHOTOS: The Serenissima Spyder from yesteryear to today. In black and white, the Serenissima Spyder on the track up against the #6 Ford Mk II driven by Lucien Bianchi and Mario Andretti at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans (Copyright - ACO/Archives). In color, the Serenissima Spyder up for sale at the Artcurial Motorcars auction on 8 February 2019, with a patina of more than half a century (Copyright - Christian Martin).