1948 Simca Gordini T15 Grand Prix Monoposto

With an aluminum body formed entirely from a downed WWII German Messerschmitt, this French Formula 2 Gran Prix car exemplifies the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Italian racer and car builder Amedee Gordini. The belly pan still wears the German Iron Cross insignia with bullet holes as proof. The engine is a production 1475 cc SIMCA aligned with a four-speed crash box and split case differential. Hydraulic four-wheel aluminum drum bakes slow the 850-pound racer from speeds over 120 mph. The semielliptical spring suspension is dampened by friction shocks. This car came to the United States in the 1950s and was rarely seen in public.