1957 Fiat Ferrari Transporter ; One lucky truck.(Brief Article)

If trucks had aspirations, what goal could be higher than to become the world's first purpose-built Ferrari transporter? Picture a Fiat assembly line in 1957 with beefy Tipo 682R truck chassis rolling along. A representative from custom truck body fabricator Bartoletti points to chassis No. 003001 and says, ``We'll take that one.'' While its brethren were destined to become moving vans and garbage trucks, lucky No. 003001 would go on to lead the life of a hard-working celebrity.

By 1957 Enzo Ferrari had met with enough success that he commissioned Bartoletti to create an exclusive vehicle for hauling the Ferrari factory racing team. From 1957 until 1969 this trusty workhorse delivered three Russo Red Ferraris to Formula One, Formula Two, plus sports car and prototype racing events throughout Europe. It was also frequently pressed into service to bring cars to the Turin, Paris and Geneva auto shows. Some photos from the Ferrari factory yearbooks even depict customers welcoming their new and pre-owned Ferraris in their driveways on this old veteran.

In August 2001, No. 003001 caused quite a stir at the 51st Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Tucked away in the furthest corner of the 18th fairway, it towered over its fellow entrants like a longshoreman fraternizing with the jockeys at the Kentucky Derby. While a few of the show cars had occupants in period dress, or motoring accessories from their respective eras, the Fiat carried adornment that may have set a record for costly accoutrements. No, not the four Ferrari flags that flapped at each of the truck's corners, but the cars. Thanks to three generous owners, two 1958 250 Testa Rossas and a 1959 250 TR took time off from their Laguna Seca racing activities so they could be displayed on the car carrier. Depending upon the daily market adjustment, we're talking about $12 million to $14 ...