The body was designed in the “form follows function” idiom. The torpedo shape was designed for aerodynamic efficiency, the thin-wall aluminum skin was exceedingly light, the open-wheel design reduced the frontal area, and the large grille served to feed a voluminous amount of air to adequately cool and maintain the proper operating temperature of this radical race car that sported an engine in an extremely high state of tune. It was of two-seater (“bi-posto”) architecture with cycle-style fenders, and it was nearly perfectly proportioned with a 210-millimeter wheelbase and 143-millimeter front and rear tracks. The finned drum brakes featured drilled cooling holes to mitigate brake fade, while the 15-inch wire wheels were mounted on 135/70-15 tires. Although his purpose-built race car was designed from a purely functional perspective, it had stylish features that included an engine-turned dashboard, a chrome shifter knob, a three-spoke, wood steering wheel, and beautifully tailored, leather-covered racing seats. This Patriarca Sport Barchetta was originally commissioned by Giuseppe Musolino, who was the head of the Rome Celere Police, an avid racing fan and friend of Rodolfo. The car would participate “in-period” at three events: the 1948 Circuito del Valentino, 1949 Circuito del Posilipo and 1950 Coppa della Toscana. It was most recently raced at the 2016 Mille Miglia. Fittingly driven by Rodolfo Patriarca’s son, Bruno Patriarca, the car graced the cover of the 2016 Mille Miglia race program and poster. One of only seven Patriarca 750 race cars built from 1948-1955, this Patriarca 750 is believed to be one of only three examples left: the first sport Barchetta (this car), the last sport Barchetta and the Berlinetta variant that won its class at the 1950 Mille Miglia. This car comes with a complete chain of ownership custody from 1948 to present. It was owned by Giuseppe Musolino from 1948-2012, jointly owned by Musolino and Bruno Patriarca (son of Rodolfo Patriarca) from 2012-2016, and it is currently owned by an American enthusiast. Rodolfo Patriarca will forever be remembered as an esteemed member of the select cadre of Italian cottage industry-gifted mechanics, designers, constructors and coachbuilders that created masterpieces of style and performance coming out of the ravages of postwar Italy. Patriarca is truly one of the automotive constructor legends of his era, sharing the spotlight with equally renowned contemporaries like Stanguellini, Ermini, Dusio, Abarth and Siata. With this 1948 Patriarca Sport Barchetta, the first built by Patriarca, now headed to Mecum’s Daytime Auction this August in Monterey, it offers a unique opportunity to not only see what the Patriarca magic was all about, but also where it all began.
