Car: ( ** Car shown at Dragone’s Classic Motorcars in Orange, Ct. )
Year: 1951
What makes it special: In 1949, two brothers, Gianfranco and Sandro Stanga formed a company who’s mission was creating competition cars from parts found throughout Europe. One example started with a chassis from Fiat, powerplant from Gianini and bodywork by Motto. Only seven such examples were produced for racing. The Stanga brothers bought a Fiat 500 chassis then modified it with lightweight tubular steel, and it’s suspension and steering components were also given an upgrade to racing specs.
What made it famous: The Fiat engine was sourced from two other brothers, Attilio and Domica Giannini, bored out to 600 cc and given twin Weber carburetors along with a high-compression head. It was then mated to a 4-speed, close-ratio manual transmission. Motto of Turin, Italy who were known for lightweight racing car bodies fabricated the car’s elegant and sporty body, using a clean design with simple lines and void of any unnecessary trim.
Why I would want one: It’s pure early sports car built for competition. The kind of car you take on a road coarse and unleash it’s capabilities.
Fun fact: Of the seven Stanga Barchetta’s produced, only two were given bodies from Motto. It’s believed that all seven raced in the Mille Miglia in the early 1950’s
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