Racer Movers-Race Car Transports

[69NovaYenko]

While researching something else I stumbled across this interesting article. The Ferrari transport is certainly an unusual looking car hauler. So, I thought I`d share it because it might be of interest to others or possibly an inspiration to someone  of a build.

Enjoy.. 

Race Car transporters were like working folk in coveralls: seen but rarely noticed. Then suddenly, like the secretary in old movies who removes her glasses and wows her boss, old transporters started turning collectors’ heads.

Transporters didn’t begin to appear in numbers until the mid-1950s, when race cars became too specialized to drive to tracks. In the 1930s, Enzo Ferrari used ordinary trucks to move the Alfa Romeo team’s race cars, so it was no surprise that for his own team he used Fiat transporters.

Like old race cars, transporters were discarded. Mercedes-Benz was probably the first to cherish its racing history, but that did not extend to The Blue Wonder, a carrier powered by a 300SL engine and designed to speed a race car to its destination at up to 100 mph.

The Ferrari transporters, in relatively good condition, were the first to attract collectors. Then, collector Dick Skipworth bought and restored the Ecurie Ecosse Commer to complement his stunning blue team Jaguars.

At Goodwood, Skipworth said he was going to the States to buy the most storied transporter of all “before the Yanks find out what they have.” But vintage racer, collector and hot rod savior Don Orosco overheard the remark and beat him to it. In 2008, some two years and $600,000 later, Orosco appeared in Monterey, California, with his two Scarab Formula cars and Scarab sports car on the restored eight-wheel Fiat transporter, resplendent in Scarab livery.

The Fiat truck platform began service as the Maserati F1 team transporter in the mid-1950s. It later contested the 1960 Formula 1 season in the blue livery of American Lance Reventlow’s Scarab team. When he took his outdated cars home, Carroll Shelby bought the truck to support his Cobras in their successful European episode.

Others whose colors had decorated the Fiat included Lotus, Alan Mann (Ford GT40s), JCB Equipment and David Piper. Piper put it to use with Steve McQueen while filming LeMans in 1970. During restoration, Orosco’s paint team counted seven liveries.

Transporters took another move into the spotlight when Lawrence Auriana celebrated Maserati’s 100th year by bringing his Fiat-based Maserati transporter to the 2014 Monterey Historics. Suddenly, it was 1957 and Fangio was winning the World Championship in the legendary 250F.

Yes, the race transporter has arrived. And don't be surprised if you begin to see them displayed at concours around the country.

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2015/02/06/movers-and-racers

Edited April 29, 2016 by 69NovaYenko

[afx]

Here is the transporter Shelby bought to use in Europe during his World Championship pursuit. 

Edited April 29, 2016 by afx

[DeeCee]

Now that is COOL  .

[iamsuperdan]

I find these transporters fascinating. Would be great to see that Shelby truck restored properly.

 

On a somewhat related note, over in the Big Truck Workbench section, there's a guy converting one of the Revell London Bus kits into a transporter. Pretty awesome build.

 

[Deathgoblin]

Wasn't there someone building one of these Ferrari transporters?  I believe it was a Bartoletti, if I remember correctly.  Fantastic work....

[Lizard Racing]

That was quite a famous transporter in Europe during the '60s.  The August 1963 issue of Road & Track carried a photo of the Ferrari transporter arriving at the Targa Florio.  The transporter was in the foreground and the race banner in the background.  It became an iconic photo.

What a great idea, converting a London Bus into a transporter!

[Ace-Garageguy]

I well remember the transporter loaded with Cobras. Great photos.

The Ecurie Ecosse transporter was another iconic carrier. There's a 1/43 white metal kit of this one for about $250.

                                                       

Edited April 29, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[sjordan2]

John Teresi did a spectacular job on a Mercedes transporter. Still looking for it.

[Ace-Garageguy]

John Teresi did a spectacular job on a Mercedes transporter. Still looking for it.

Here you go.   http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/82148-mercedes-blue-wonder-transporter-12814-outside-photos-posted/?page=1

Edited April 29, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[keyser]

Can't find original post. 

Richard Freshman found and restored one of the Bartoletti 1:1's in late 80's, early 90's. I have no shop pics, but it was great project. 

Some pretty awesome stuff out there. The 300SLR or the W196 on the Benz is awesome sight. Goodwood has pics on site IIRC. 

[afx]

Shelby's US transporters were a bit more mundane.

[iamsuperdan]

It's funny to see those. You look at how race teams arrive at the track now and then compare that to this.

Fully enclosed massive race haulers with office space, living space, and full garage/shop setups...compared to a couple of cars strapped to a flatdeck.

[ChrisBcritter]

Still like this one best.

 

[Petetrucker07]

A bit of a time line in transporters. Probably not in order, but close.

[XJ6]

Great Pictures ??

[GTJUNIOR]

The COE transporter is really cool, retro, yet futuristic all at the same time. 

[Deathgoblin]

I would like to do a 1/24 of the Matchbox Transporter from the Super Kings line.