​What is the Mille Miglia and How to Enter the Event​

Entering the Mille Miglia, one of the most prestigious historic car races in the world, involves a multi-step process with specific requirements. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to find a car and apply:

​Origins: The Birth of a Legend (1927)

In 1927, four Italian visionaries—Aymo Maggi, Franco Mazzotti, Giovanni Canestrini, and Renzo Castagneto—founded the Mille Miglia. Disappointed that Brescia had lost the Italian Grand Prix to Monza, they decided to create their own race—1,000 miles of public roads, from Brescia to Rome and back.

• First race: March 26, 1927

• Route: ~1,600 km (1,000 Roman miles)

• Winner: Ferdinando Minoia and Giuseppe Morandi in an OM 665 Superba

• The average speed? 48.27 mph (77.2 km/h)—fast for the time.

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​The Golden Years (1927–1938)

Each year, manufacturers like Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Maserati sent their best drivers and cutting-edge cars. The Mille Miglia was both a public spectacle and a testing ground for technology and endurance.

• Alfa Romeo dominated early on winning 11 of the first 13 races.

• 1930: Tazio Nuvolari, one of the greatest drivers ever, famously turned off his headlights to pass Achille Varzi at night and win.

• The race featured rural dirt roads, hairpin turns, fog, animals, and crowds—making it dangerous and dramatic.

War and Hiatus (1939–1946)

• The race was halted in 1939 due to increasing safety concerns and World War II.

• Italy and Europe were engulfed in war, and racing was no longer feasible.

The High-Speed Era (1947–1957)

After the war, the Mille Miglia returned with faster cars and more prestige than ever.

• Legendary marques like Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Lancia, and Porsche entered.

• The race became faster—and deadlier.

• 1955: The most famous edition—Stirling Moss and navigator Denis Jenkinson won in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, averaging 98.5 mph (159 km/h) for over 10 hours. Their performance is still considered one of the greatest drives in racing history.

• 1957: Tragedy struck—Alfonso de Portago crashed his Ferrari 335 S, killing himself, his co-driver, and 9 spectators (including children). Public outcry was enormous.

That accident marked the end of the Mille Miglia as a competitive race.​

​The Revival: A Race of Memory (Since 1977)

In 1977, the Mille Miglia was reborn—not as a speed race, but as a historic regularity rally.

• Only cars that raced (or were registered to race) from 1927–1957 are allowed.

• The modern Mille Miglia is about precision, navigation, and timing, not raw speed.

• Drivers include celebrities, collectors, racing legends, and enthusiasts.

• It remains a moving museum, winding through towns, hills, and piazzas of Italy.

Why the Mille Miglia Still Matters

• It’s more than a race—it’s a celebration of heritage, mechanical artistry, and Italian culture.

• It maintains the aura of a bygone era, when road racing was pure, dangerous, and emotional.

• Today, it’s known as “La corsapiùbella del mondo”— “The most beautiful race in the world.”

Entering the Mille Miglia, one of the most prestigious historic car races in the world, involves a multi-step process with specific requirements. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to find a car and apply:

Step 1: Understand What the Mille Miglia Is

• Type: Regularity race for historic cars (not a speed race).

• Route: Typically, from Brescia to Rome and back (~1,000 miles).

• Timing: Held annually in June.

• Entry cap: Around 400 cars accepted each year.

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Step 2: Find an Eligible Car

Eligibility Requirements:

• Model must have participated in or been registered for the original Mille Miglia (1927–1957).

• Your car must be on the 1000 Miglia Registry.

How to Find a Car:

1. Search Classic Car Dealers or Auction Houses:

1. Reputable sources: RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, Classic Driver, Hemmings, etc.

1. Keywords to search: “Mille Miglia eligible” or “1000 Miglia registry eligible”.

1. Check the 1000 Miglia Official Registry:

1. Website: https://registro1000miglia.it

1. You can see which models/years are allowed.

1. Consider Hiring or Leasing:

1. Several companies specialize in leasing Mille Miglia-eligible cars for the event.

1. Examples: Canossa Events, Gentleman Car, or specialized vintage car agencies in Italy or the UK.

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​Step 3: Register for the Mille Miglia

Application Process:

1. Register Your Car in the 1000 Miglia Registry:

1. This verifies authenticity and eligibility.

1. You’ll need to provide extensive documentation: ownership, chassis numbers, photos, historical records.

1. Apply for the Race:

1. Visit: https://www.1000miglia.it

1. Application usually opens around October–December for the following year.

1. You'llsubmit:

1. Car details

1. Driver/co-driver info

1. Driving licenses

1. Entry fee (approx. €8,000–€10,000+ depending on package)

1. Wait for Acceptance:

1. Selection is competitive.

1. Preference goes to original cars that participated in the historic race and rare models. 

Step 4: Prepare Logistically

• Car preparation: Vehicle must meet FIVA regulations and pass scrutineering.

• Documents: FIVA passport, insurance, etc.

• Travel and lodging: Plan hotels well in advance; towns along the route fill up quickly.

• Co-driver: Both must be licensed drivers; you’ll alternate during the rally.

Optional: Use a Concierge Service

If it’s your first time, consider using a Mille Miglia concierge or event specialist who can:

• Source and prep the car

• Handle documentation

• Manage entry logistics

• Arrange mechanical support and backup during the race

Summary Checklist:

If you'd like, I can help you find specific cars currently for sale that are Mille Miglia eligible. Would you like to do that next?

The Mille Miglia (“Thousand Miles” in Italian) is one of the most legendary road races in automotive history. Part endurance test, part celebration of Italian culture and engineering, its story is a blend of bravery, speed, innovation, and romance.

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Experience the elegance and prestige of the Mille Miglia.

If you are seeking to acquire a distinguished automobile for this legendary event, or wish to explore the possibility of securing your place among its select participants, we invite you to contact us for a private discussion.

Your journey to the most exclusive road race in the world begins here.

Contact:

+44(0)7889 805432

keith@classicmobilia.com