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1959 Mille Miglia

May 30, 1959 – May 31, 1959

Introduce

The 1959 Mille Miglia, held on 30–31 May, continued under the regularity/velocity hybrid format introduced in 1958, marking the event’s second—and final—iteration as a rally-style competition rather than an all-out road race. This edition maintained a structure wherein only certain segments were timed competitively, while the majority of the route remained regulated by average speed checkpoints.

The total route covered 1,453.3 km, of which 188.0 km were designated as competitive speed stages, more than double the distance of the previous year’s timed sectors. These timed sections were primarily challenging mountain passes, favoring both driver skill and engine reliability over long-duration speed. The remaining 1,265.3 km were comprised of regularity segments, designed to be completed at a minimum average speed, with penalties for non-compliance.

Timed climbs included famous roads such as Passo della Cisa (38 km), Abetone (12 km), Passo della Futa (23.7 km), Passo Rolle (25.5 km), and Passo Pordoi (12 km)—a tour de force of the Italian Apennines and Dolomites. The route ran from Brescia through Parma, Florence, Padua, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, before looping back to Brescia via the Passo della Mendola and Campo Carlo Magno.

Victory went to Carlo Mario Abate and Gianni Balzarini, driving a Ferrari 250 GT coupé (2953 cm³). They completed the nine competitive stages in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 16.8 seconds, averaging 89.325 km/h over the timed portions.

Though the 1959 format introduced increased velocity mileage and more technically demanding sections, the hybrid concept failed to resonate with fans of the classic Mille Miglia. The spirit of the original open-road race—its danger, drama, and allure—was lost. This edition marked the final competitive Mille Miglia, as the event was not held again in racing form, closing a historic chapter in motorsport.

PARTICIPANTS Total Participants (2)