Rodolfo Patriarca began his first workshop in Via Rimini in Rome in the early 1930s. He was a popular tuning specialist and he built the first Patriarca 750 Sport for captain Musolino with a body by Mario Faina. The first try at making a fast car wasn’t a very successful, as the best result was a 6th place in 1949.

In 1950, a certain Sesto Leonardi was not satisfied with the reliability of his Stanguellini and he decided to visit Patriarca. Leonardi ordered two Patriarca’s: a berlinetta (with a body by Faina) and a barchetta. The barchetta had a chassis by Gilberto Colombo (Gilco) and an engine by Giannini (G1) with an alloy cylinder head. After 18 cars built and the last new workshop the Patriarca brand was finished.

Our Patriarca comes with an extensive and successful (period) racing history file including ownership history. Originally the car was a siluro or cycle winged racecar and was fitted with a body by Carrozzeria Virgilio Schiaretti di Parma. Then when regulations changed in 1952 the bodywork was changed to the current enclosed bodywork.

The first owner, gentlemen driver Sesto Leonardi, enjoyed a successful motorsport career spanning almost four decades, from the mid-1930s to the late 1960s, winning 17 times his class in the Italian Sportscar Championship. In 1950 he had one of his most impressive seasons with the Patriarca 750 Sport as he became Italian champion in the Campionato Italiano classe 750 Sport Internazionale.

Results 1950 season

14-05 1st in class Sport 750, Parma-Poggio di Berceto
02-06 1st overall, Circuito di Collemaggio
18-06 1st overall, Circuito del Castello
29-06 1st in class 750, Giro dell’Umbria
20-08 2nd in class 750, Circuito di Senigallia
22-10 1st in class Sport 750, Vermicino Rocca di Papa
29-10 1st in class Sport 750, Catania-Etna
05-11 1st in class Sport 750, Messina-Colle San Rizzo

By the end of 1950 the car was sold to Salvatore Casella who finished 3rd at the Circuito di Modena. In 1952 the coachwork was modified and the car was sold to Ernesto Saccani, Fiat dealer at Vibo-Valentia. Mr. Saccani was a vivid racing driver as well as he attended several racing events with the Patriarca in 1952 and 1953. He scored great results at the Giro di Sicilia, Circuito di Collemaggio, Catania-Etna, Messina-Colle San Rizzo,Circuito di Avellino and the Giro delle Calabrie. At the end of the 1953 season the car was sold to Mr. Domenico ‘Mimi’ Scaramella who took part in the 1954 XXI Mille Miglia, #2311 with the Patriarca. Result: DNF. Two weeks later, Mr. Scaramella had more success and finished 1st in class 750 at the XI Gran Premio di Napoli.

In April 1955 the car was bought by Piero Bozzini who finished 6th in class 750 at the 1955 XXII Mille Miglia #034 in the Patriarca. After competing in the 1955 and 1956 season, entering Coppa della Consuma, Premio Autodromo di Modena and Corsa alle Torricelle the car was sold. After changing ownership several times the Patriarca was acquired by Luciano Attardo Parrinello in 1986. Mr. Parrinello and Ercoli participated at the 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2018 Mille Miglia before the car was sold to its current Dutch owner.

Mille Miglia results

1954 XXI Mille Miglia, #2311 Scaramella & de Roberto. Result: DNF
1955 XXII Mille Miglia #034 Bozzini. Result: 6th IC 750
Please call for information. This is a rare Mille Miglia veteran car with important history. This Patriarca is accepted in the Registro Mille Miglia as an original participant. With the car comes an extension documentation file showing period pictures, Italian ownership, ASI papers, FIVA papers, Registro Mille Miglia papers and Dutch registration.

Ex-Mille Miglia, 1954, 1955, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2018. This is a lovely and excellent example of an important Etceterini car.

Price is Euro 465.000,-.

Photos: van Santen & Vink.

Very Superior Old Cars is a classic sportscar consultancy company founded in 1992. We work for our customers to assist with all aspects of their car interests. From acquisition consultancy with restoration advice and management to private sales in our boutique art gallery.

VSOC is centrally located between Amsterdam and The Hague, only 17 km (11 miles) from Schiphol Airport. There is a broad selection of classic sports cars on display, in very good or excellent condition, varying from beautiful yet affordable sports cars to rare and valuable collectors’ items. When you intend to visit us in The Netherlands, we would advise you to make an appointment so that we can give you some quality time. If you arrive by plane or train, we would be happy to pick you up at the airport or train station. Besides Dutch we speak English, German, French and Italian.