1959 Fiat Tipo 682/RN-2 Transporter Bus

In 1960, Scuderia Ferrari would have some incredible driving talent leading its assault on the World Drivers' and Constructors' Championship. Drivers like Phil Hill, Wolfgang von Trips, Richie Ginther and others would be at the wheel of the 256 F1 and 246 P F1 chassis spearheading the campaign.

While Ferrari's hopes certainly rested on its drivers and cars there was a whole army of individuals and equipment necessary to even give the drivers and cars a chance. These were the unsung heroes of the team. They were there, and yet, they were mostly invisible to the average spectator. In fact, one of the most important elements of the team wouldn't even be seen except when the team arrived and left. The rest of the time it would be parked in the back, barely even noticed by anybody except on the team.

The forgotten about, and yet, very important member of the race team, even the large factory efforts like Scuderia Ferrari, is the transporter. Were it not for the transporter, teams, no matter the size, would have some very serious logistical issues and would most likely bring motor racing to a sudden end.

In 1960, the 256 F1 and 246 P F1s and other important equipment would end up being carried to the races by a Fiat Tipo 682/RN-2 Transporter. There would be two transporters built by Fiat that would then head off to the Carrozzeria Bartoletti for conversion to specifications mandated by the Scuderia Ferrari team. The all-important transporter would serve as more than just a transporter, however. The conversions mandated by Ferrari would include a small internal workshop and sleeping accommodations. While everybody would come to watch the drivers and the cars uphold the Ferrari banner, it would be the transporter that would make it all possible.

One of the two Fiat Tipo Transporters used by the Scuderia Ferrari Factory team would be up for bidding at the Gooding & Company auction at Pebble Beach in August of 2011.

Fiat Transporter, chassis number 001461, would be delivered to Ferrari in September of 1959. Being part of the Scuderia Ferrari Factory effort the transporter would carry more than just the Formula One team from race to race. The transporter would also be used to carry factory sports cars to races like Le Mans, Spa and the Nurburgring besides carrying the Formula One team all across Europe as part of the World Championship.

While the Formula One team would have little success during the 1960 season, the transporter would have had the opportunity to be part of the team's successful effort at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans when Paul Frere and Olivier Gendebien powered their way to the overall victory.
The transporter would continue to be used almost endlessly carrying Formula One teams, sports car teams and even occassionaly delivering customer cars and salon car to places like Paris, Geneva or Turin.

While much of the transporter was custom to suit the needs of the factory racing team, much of the actual transporter would be stock, straight from Fiat. The transporter would include a 10.7-liter six-cylinder diesel engine that produced around 175 bhp. The power would be delivered to the large wheels via a 4-speed manual gearbox with a 2-speed rear axle. Braking power for the massive transporter would be accomplished through the use of four-wheel drum brakes. The weight of the transporter and the cars would rest on a solid-axle suspension with semi-elliptical leaf springs.

Unlike the massive transporters of modern racing teams, the cars would be carried on the Fiat Transporter mostly out in the open, exposed to all of the elements. The cars would be stacked up on the top rack, even over the cab. There would also be enough room for one chassis to be tucked in behind the custom workshop and sleeping quarters. Besides the custom workshop and sleeping accommodations, the transporter would also include a number of small hatches available for storing even more equipment.

After serving for ten years, the Fiat Tipo Transporter would be purchased in December of 1970 by a Venetian circus owner by the name of Giovanni Zanon. The transporter would then be used reregistered and used to carry Zanon's local circus which toured around to many events.

The transporter would remain in Zanon's hands for only a few years and then would end up being retired and stored away. The transporter would finally emerge in 1990 and would be found to be still rather original and complete.

In 1995, the transporter would be purchased by a southern California classis car specialist and sent to S.I.L.M.A. Bus in Modena for restoration. It would take five years and hour of research to complete the restoration. However, all of the time, effort and money would end up producing a truly special, and easily forgotten about, member of the Scuderia Ferrari Factory racing team. When it was all finished the transporter would come complete with a two-toned red finish and badges from many companies that would have a hand in Scuderia Ferrari's success.

After a period of time as the property of Pat Hart, where it would be seen at the Pacific Raceway and even the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the transporter would be sold and would be offered at Gooding & Company's auction in working order and as beautiful tribute to the unsung heroes of racing.

At auction, the Fiat Tipo Transporter would end up selling for $990,000.

Sources:
'Lot No. 51: 1959 Fiat Tipo 682/RN-2 Transporter', (http://www.goodingco.com/car/1959-fiat-tipo-682rn-2). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/car/1959-fiat-tipo-682rn-2. Retrieved 24 August 2011.

'Singleseaters: 1960 246 P F1', (http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/History/Singleseaters/Pages/246PF1.aspx?decade=1960). Scuderia Ferrari. http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/History/Singleseaters/Pages/246PF1.aspx?decade=1960. Retrieved 24 August 2011.

Wikipedia contributors, '1960 Formula One season', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 16 August 2011, 03:54 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1960_Formula_One_season&oldid=445094180 accessed 24 August 2011

Wikipedia contributors, '1960 24 Hours of Le Mans', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 June 2010, 02:10 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1960_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans&oldid=365556298 accessed 24 August 2011

By Jeremy McMullen