Ferrari 735 Monza Spider

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 735 Monza Spider chassis 0444M fitted with a Pininfarina body, was initially a Scuderia Ferrari entry in 1954, with its first major race being the GP de Portugal on June 27, 1954, where it did not finish (DNF) due to mechanical issues. On the same day, it competed in the GP Supercortemaggiore, where it claimed victory with Umberto Maglioli and Mike Hawthorn driving. Later in the season, on July 25, the car faced another DNF at the GP Portugal, Monasanto, driven by Vasco Sameiro. On October 23, 1954, Sameiro finished 4th overall at the GP Penya Rhin in Barcelona. In 1955, the car continued its competition streak, with Vasco Sameiro winning the IV Circuito do Maracana on February 20, 1955. Later that year, he also claimed victory in the GP Maracana on March 6, 1955. In the summer of 1955, the car was sold to Herbert Mackay-Frazer of Bonassolla, Italy. Mackay-Frazer drove the car to several notable performances, including a DNF due to an accident in the GP Portugal, Boavista, on June 26, 1955, and a 7th-place finish at the GP de Lisboa, Monsanto Park on July 24, 1955. The car continued to race throughout 1955, suffering from mechanical issues including a gearbox failure at the Daily Herald Trophy, Oulton Park, and a valve issue at Aintree. However, it secured a 4th-place finish at the Castle Combe International on October 1, 1955, and at the Martini Trophy, Brands Hatch, on December 26, 1955. In 1956, Mackay-Frazer continued to race the car, with a series of mid-pack finishes, including a 4th-place finish in the GP des Voitures de Série, Spa and a DNF in the GP Bari 3000 due to overheating. By November 1956, the car was sold to Joakim Bonnier of Sweden, who exchanged it for chassis 0344. The car was later used by Egon Wohlin in Sweden, competing in several ice races, particularly at Skarpnack Airfield in Stockholm in 1958, where it was likely driven by Bonnier as well. In the early 1960s, the car was still active in racing, including a mild crash in 1961 that caused damage to the nose, which was repaired. It was again seen at Skarpnack Airfield in 1961, with the racing number #14. Throughout the late 1960s, the car passed through several owners, including Lars Sjostrom of Gavle, Sweden, and later Göthe Håkansson of Sweden, who owned the car in the early 1970s. In the 1970s, the car was sold to the UK, where it had a series of owners, including Jack Maurice of Newcastle-on-Tyne and A.J. Gibson. In 1982, the car was purchased by Giuseppe Medici of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and was raced by him in the Coppa FIA/FISA at Monza in April 1982, where he finished 16th. In 1986, the car was acquired by Aristides Embiricos of Greece, who entered it in various historic events, including the Mille Miglia with Embiricos as a driver. The car continued to appear in prominent events, including the FOC UK Concours Elton Hall in July 1993, the Festival of Speed in June 1994, and the FOC Concours at Castle Ashby in July 1995.