Step into the history of the Mille Miglia

Black and white photo of Mille Miglia car with red arrow titled 1000 Miglia

This year, from 11 to 15 June, the Mille Miglia will take place. This 1,000 mile race was held between 1927 and 1957. Today the Mille Miglia is no longer a race, but a rally for cars from that era. The Louwman Museum houses many original cars and often takes part in new editions. The theater is even completely built in the style of the one in Brescia, the starting point of the race.

Mille Miglia car driving past spectators

The history of the Mille Miglia

Being a thousand miles away from... The Mille Miglia has always been run straight through the same part of Italy, each time via a different route, but always with the start and finish in Brescia. Until 1938 Alfa Romeo managed to win virtually every edition. From 1941 until after the Second World War the race was not held, due to the danger to spectators. In 1947 Alfa Romeo won, but after that it was mainly Ferraris turn to make its mark, until a major crash during the 1957 race brought an end to the Mille Miglia.

Mercedes Benz SSK 1929

This most famous Mercedes of all time is still completely original. Only 30 examples of this so called Super Sport Kurz were ever built. It achieved countless racing victories, including the Mille Miglia in 1931. This particular car went on to take part in the historic Mille Miglia another nine times.

Side view of Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Testa Fissa in dark blue studio

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Testa Fissa 1931

In 1929, 25 of the 26 6C 1750s completed the Mille Miglia. The Testa Fissa from our museum took part in the 1934 Mille Miglia, driven by the first Formula 1 world champion: Nino Farina.

BMW 328 1938

Launched as a prestige project for the Third Reich, this true all-rounder managed to notch up more than 140 race and rally victories, including the Mille Miglia in 1940. It was not only a sports car, but also a circuit racer and long-distance contender in one.

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Spider Corsa Sperimentale Balena in dark blue studio

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Spider Corsa Experimental Whale 1941

This Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Spider Corsa Sperimentale Balena (whale) was found in Argentina in the 1980s. The first eleven Alfa 8C 2900s were entered in races by Scuderia Ferrari. Twice, an 8C 2900 managed to win the Mille Miglia.

Ferrari 166 Inter Coupe Touring in dark blue studio

Ferrari 166 Inter Coupe Touring 1949

The Ferrari 166 managed to win the Mille Miglia three times. This example with an aluminum body and plexiglass roof is one of the earliest versions of the 166. The engine was designed by Gioacchino Colombo, who came from Alfa Romeo.

Aston Martin DB3 Works Team Car in dark blue studio

Aston Martin DB3 Works Team Car 1952

This factory racer competed in the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix. Peter Collins finished seventh there. In 1953 the same Peter Collins managed to take sixteenth place with this car in the Mille Miglia. Since then the car has taken part in the historic Mille Miglia 22 times.

Iso Isetta 1953

Isetta means small. In 1954, seven of this original version by designer Renzo Rivolta took part in the Mille Miglia. They won the economy class that year. BMW bought the license shortly afterward and started producing the Isetta under its own name.

Theater hall in the Louwman Museum with car on the stage

Theater of the Louwman Museum 2010

The design of the theater at the Louwman Museum is based on the Teatro Grande in Brescia, the city where the Mille Miglia starts each year. A car can be presented on the stage with the help of a special lift.