Scuderia SSS Republica di Venezia Comte Volpi

Count Volpi's family is from Venezia. And ancient Venezia was called "Serenissima repubblica di Venezia. So, SSS could well be: Scuderia Serenissima.
Ok?
Nino

 

Ciao Giovanni Volpi.

Mille grazie!

 

Marcel, I have a couple of questions about the velocity stacks in the pic. Was this car driven without filters always and what effect does that have on engine longevity? Also, can you talk about the different characteristics of down draft versus side draft? Thanks, John
Also if anyone else has answers or opinions on this, pls post up. I love the look and sound of open stacks and have seen some cars set up that way but very few.

 

You loose the filtration if you run with stacks only. The engine can "breathe" better, but it will injest what ever junk is floating around. Only recommended for racing applications when you can risk trashing a motor for an extra 2-3 hp. Not recommended for a regular car or if your pockets aren't deep enough to afford the occasional rebuild.

I wouldn't want to drive fast on a gravel road with the stacks only option...

 

Thanks Eric, I figured that was the case. Although, I have seen some individual screens on the stacks, but it would seem like it would make it hard to properly filter in such a small area and still let the engine fully breathe.

 

Just acquired these two vintage photo's of Serenissima's.

I was told that the racing car was Maserati powered but maybe somebody here can identify them (and maybe the driver / event) more definitely?
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Very Cool thread!

Thank you Count Volpi, both for creating the history and now reminicing about it with us.

Also, thank you to everyone who added pictures.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Nobody who can identify the two cars?

 

asking him to identify these cars, which he owned. Have not received a reply. He may be traveling during the holidays.

 

Thanks Gary.

 

G'day all,

I think the Maserati powered car in the top pic is probably the team's Cooper Monaco (chassis number CM/5/59) that was raced in 1959/60 by Colin Davis, Carroll Smith and Gianni Balzarini (I'm guessing the photo is of the latter who used it in the hillclimb c'ship in 1960).

Carroll Smith later sold it to Frank Opalka in the USA and was eventually restored with Climax power in place of the Maserati four-cylinder by the late Bob Akin.

Bodywork was modified slightly from the original Cooper, possibly after suffering damage when it fell from a trailer?

Cheers,
Damien

 

Thanks Damien!

 

does anyone have pictures of the serenissima maserati tipo 64?
i believe it's the only tipo 64 with a tailfin

 

It was a tipo 63 with S/N AM63.004.

 

ah, ok, thanks for the correction.
my book by Rob de la Rive Box and Mirco Cet (fellow Dutchmen i believe) contains another mistake.

 

This is Abate at the '62 Targa Florio in the ugliest Tipo 64 ever. Designed by Scaglione, I think. Aerodynamically sound but embarrassing. All over the road, broke down often. (I think this refers to the attached photo GV sent)

I have a color picture of the finned Maserati somewhere but finding it is another matter.

The #61 car showing the trademark was the berlinetta 308V at the Le Mans April tests of '66, but we raced in June with an open car. Will try to send you photos if I manage to reduce them. (#61 car shown earlier in this thread)

Yes, it is the Cooper Monaco with Balzarini (by the size of the driver). The same car Ferrari copied. (I think this refers to the photos earlier in the thread)

Send your readers to http://www.serenissimaautomobili.com/
They'll know its coming.

Giovanni
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This is #AM64.001 again at the same Targa.
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While looking for some other photos I came across this one of Count Volpi himself. It was taken at LeMans in 1962. The car is the TR61 currently owned by Ralph Lauren. Please credit David Castelhano Collection.
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Gary,

could you please thank the Count on my behalf for identifying the cars in my photos?

And of course my thanks to you for relaying the information.

 

I would be interested to hear what the Count thought of the other teams/ owners that he competed with on a regular basis
Examples would be:
Georges Filipinetti and Scuderia Filipinetti
Jaques Swaters of Ecurie Francorchamps
John Mecom of Mecom Racing Team,
Luigi Chinetti of NART

Thanks!
Steve

 

I like it because it is so damn ugly!

 

This website says it's a 4-cylinder Tipo 63!!


http://www.maserati.org.au/images/MaseratiPhotos/RACE_Cars/Tipo63/Tipo63_BW1.jpg

 

Link to a photo of the Tipo 63 with the tailfin:

http://www.roadmap.ch/sponsorpage/Vernasca/images/Vernasca%202004%20101.jpg

 

Another view of the Maserati tipo 64 at the Targa 1962.
The SSS Maserati tipo 63 at Le Mans 1964 : facing the thunder trumpets and a joking Scarfiotti.
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