“Ferrari could not have given me a finer gift,” said Prisca Taruffi, daughter of Piero Taruffi who won the 1957 Mille Miglia.

The gift to which she refers is the chance to drive her father’s actual Mille Miglia-winning car – a Ferrari 315 S – in this week’s Mille Miglia retrospective. “To drive the same car my father drove 50 years ago is a dream come true. It is something I have hoped to do ever since I started racing. To experience the same sensations behind the wheel of the 315 S as he did is a unique opportunity.” Prisca will also wear her father’s original helmet and goggles.

The 315 S, chassis number 0684 (and still painted with the original 535 starting time from that epic 1957 victory) is now owned by American collector John McCaw, who will co-drive with Prisca. It will be left to Ferrari Classiche, however, to provide technical assistance. Ferrari Classiche is the division of Ferrari which caters for owners of classic models, offering restoration, maintenance and Authenticity Certification services.

This week’s Mille Miglia retrospective celebrates the 80th anniversary of the first legendary Brescia-Rome-Brescia road race, but 2007 is an equally important anniversary for Ferrari. It is the company’s 60th year as a sportscar manufacturer – and the Mille Miglia is one of the first races to be dominated by the Prancing Horse.

On Saturday the 19th of May, Ferrari will open the gates of the historic Carrozzeria Scaglietti factory for the passage of the Mille Miglia on its return leg through Modena. On hand to salute the participants will be Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo, along with the famous coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Ferrari SpA