Auriana set to bring five rare Alfas with motorsport history, including one that raced in 1933 Monaco GP.

Honored Collector Lawrence Auriana will add another layer of elegance to Historic Festival 41, as he brings 14 of the world’s most elusive and coveted race cars from his private collection to Lime Rock Park Aug. 31- Sept. 4. The rare collection will be on display all race weekend in Paddock A and featured down Sam Posey straight as part of the Sunday Concours.

Auriana’s passion for automobiles has led him to curate an awe-inspiring collection. Embracing the art of automotive engineering, his assemblage spans from timeless Alfa Romeos, Maseratis and Ferraris as well as lesser known Italian marques.

In a three-part series, Lime Rock Park will highlight each of the cars that will be honored during the Historic Festival, starting with the five rare Alfa Romeos described below.

1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 2.6 Liter Monza Spider Corsa

The 8C Grand Prix Monza was the dominant open wheeled race car in the first half of the 1930’s. This 8C 2300 Monza Corsa Spider was recorded as delivered to Le Mans winning race car driver Sir “Tim” Birkin on April 19, 1933. It placed third in the French GP at Montlhéry. Later it was sold and shipped to England and continued racing throughout the mid-30’s. In 1937 it was sold to American Sam Bird, who kept the car in England until the end of WWII. After arriving in the U.S., Bird ‘s nephew George Huntoon returned the Monza to competition, entering and winning the inaugural 1949 road race at Bridgehampton. It also ran at Watkins Glen in 1949, leading from the start but eventually suffered damage forcing it to retire the race. Huntoon sold the car in 1953 to Art Roberts who in turn sold it in June 1955 to Norman Andrews.

The chassis went unused until 1968 when Andrews sold it to Arthur Jacobs in Mineola, Long Island. A decade later in 1978 it was acquired by Paul Grist, who began a comprehensive restoration in England. It was sold in 1991 to the late Terry Cohn, consistent competitor and participant in historic events around the world.Auriana bought the car in 2002 and it ran in the 2007 Mille Miglia with co-drivers Admiral Giovanni Vitaloni and Joseph Colasacco.

1953 Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM

First raced by Juan Manuel Fangio at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953, this Alfa Romeo 3000 CM has had a very thrilling life. Designed for road and track racing, this rare Alfa Romeo was engineered for the 1953 Sport Cars World Championship and namely to take part to the Mille Miglia and 24 Hours of Le Mans races.

It is one in a series of six cars first built by Alfa Romeo that year. Four were berlinettas (coupes) and two spiders, all originally made by Carrozzeria Colli. At least four of those race cars were subsequently re- bodied by famous coach builders. Boano re-bodied this car in 1954 and in 1955 it was sent to Juan Peron in Argentina. After a number of owners in Argentina the car found its way to the U.S. and in August 1970, noted Alfa Romeo collector H.W. Wessells brought the 6C 3000 CM back to life after he bought it from Ed Bond of the Vintage Car Store in Nyack, NY. The second revival started after Wessells totaled the Boano Berlinetta racing it in the 1984 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. He decided to restore the CM in Italy with Salvatore Diomante of Autocostruzioni S.D. at Nichelino who returned to its original Colli Coupe body design. Since 2002, it has been successfully raced at Monaco, Le Mans, Goodwood and Monterey by Phil Hill, Derek Hill and Joe Colasacco.

This car was called “Tipo 6C 3000 CM” where CM does not stand for Campionato del Mondo, nor for Competizione Maggiorata, nor Corte Maggiore but stands for “Cilindrata Maggiorata” because of its increased (maggiorata) displacement (cilindrata).

1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ-2

The Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ-2, introduced in 1965, is a captivating sports car that emerged as a successor to the highly successful Giulia TZ. Known as ‘The Baby GTO’ it is one of the most charismatic GT car designs of all time. With only a dozen built, the car was developed and built by Carlos Chitti’s Autodelta company, Alfa Romeo’s racing division, and was designed to compete in the FIA’s GT class to serve as a potent contender in World Championship racing events of its era.

This highly-original Alfa Romeo TZ2 was the car entered by Autodelta for Gaston ‘Gus’ Andry and Formula 3 star Giacomo ‘Geki’ Rosso to co-drive in the 1966 Sebring 12-Hour Classic. This chassis won its class, the car was then prepared for the punishing 440-mile Targa Florio in Sicily where the car finished fourth overall.

1968 Alfa Romeo T33 Stradale

The 1968 Alfa Romeo T33 Stradale holds a special place in automotive history as one of the most exquisite and rarest creations. Designed by Franco Scaglione and engineered by Autodelta the T33 Stradale was inspired by the brand’s successful Tipo 33 racing cars and marked a harmonious blend of racing technology with road-going functionality.

Stradale means “street” in Italian, and the implication describes this car perfectly. It is the highway-legal version of the mid-engined prototype racers that Alfa began developing after about a decade of only building racers derived from road cars. This was the reverse, a roadable racer.

Unveiled at the 1967 Turin Motor Show, the T33 Stradale was a limited- production masterpiece with only 18 units ever produced. The car was built on a lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis and featured scissor doors that have become synonymous with the Lamborghini brand.

Powering this work of art was a 2.0-liter V8 engine derived from Alfa Romeo’s successful racing program. With four twin-choke carburetors and a dry-sump lubrication system, the engine produced an impressive 230 horsepower, allowing the T33 Stradale to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds.

1972 Alfa Romeo 33TT3

The 1972 Alfa Romeo 33TT3 represents a significant chapter in Alfa Romeo’s motorsport history, as it was a powerful and innovative contender in the world of endurance racing. Building upon the success of its predecessors, the 33TT3 was developed to compete in the legendary World Sportscar Championship and other prominent racing events of its era.

Powered by a roaring 3.0-liter V8 engine, the 33TT3 was a formidable force on the track. The engine was positioned behind the driver and produced an impressive output of around 430 horsepower, making it one of the most potent engines of its time. The car’s lightweight construction and aerodynamic design further contributed to its performance prowess, allowing it to excel on both high-speed straights and demanding corners.

The Alfa Romeo 33TT3’s legacy is cemented by its impressive racing achievements, including podium finishes at renowned events like the Targa Florio and the Spa 1000km. In 1972 this car was raced in the Targa Florio by Nanni Galli and Helmut Marko and finished second. Marko had the fastest lap and that record stands today.