Often referred to as “the most beautiful race in the world,” the 1000 Miglia is far more than a motorsport event. It is a living tribute to a golden age of automotive history, where speed met elegance and endurance was the ultimate test. Born in Italy nearly a century ago, the 1000 Miglia is now a global icon — and a symbol of timeless motoring passion.

The Origins: Brescia, 1927
The story begins in Brescia, a city in northern Italy, where a group of motorsport enthusiasts — including Giovanni Canestrini, Renzo Castagneto, Franco Mazzotti, and Aymo Maggi — set out to create a new kind of road race. Their vision? A 1,000-mile open-road endurance challenge through Italy’s towns and countryside.

On March 26, 1927, the first Mille Miglia took place, covering the round-trip route from Brescia to Rome and back. It was a daring concept — 1,600 kilometers (1,000 Roman miles) of winding roads, unpredictable weather, and raw mechanical performance. Out of 77 starters, only 51 cars finished. The inaugural winners, Ferdinando Minoia and Giuseppe Morandi in an OM 665 Superba, cemented their place in racing history.

The Golden Era: 1927–1957
Over the next three decades, the Mille Miglia evolved into a proving ground for automotive innovation. Brands like Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Lancia, and Porsche all battled for supremacy along narrow country roads and cobblestone streets.

The race became known not only for its competitive edge but also for its style. Dashing drivers in goggles and leather gloves, crowds lining the roads in every village, and the glamour of Italy’s landscapes made the Mille Miglia more than a race — it was a national celebration.

Legends were born here. Tazio Nuvolari, one of Italy’s greatest drivers, delivered iconic wins with unmatched bravado. In 1955, Stirling Moss, alongside navigator Denis Jenkinson, achieved a record-breaking run in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, completing the course in just over 10 hours.

The End of an Era — and a New Beginning
Tragedy struck in 1957, when a fatal accident during the race led to its cancellation in its original form. The era of open-road racing had come to an end due to increasing safety concerns and modern traffic conditions.

But the spirit of the Mille Miglia refused to fade. In 1977, on the race’s 50th anniversary, it was reborn as the Mille Miglia Storica — a regularity rally for historic cars that once competed in or were eligible for the original race.

1000 Miglia Today: Elegance in Motion
Today, the 1000 Miglia lives on as a unique blend of heritage and innovation. It is a meticulously organized event that brings together rare classic cars, passionate collectors, celebrities, and car enthusiasts from around the world.

The route still starts and finishes in Brescia, tracing the same spirit of the original path to Rome and back. Participants must drive vintage cars built between 1927 and 1957, each one a work of art in motion.

Beyond Italy, the 1000 Miglia name has grown into a global movement — inspiring events like 1000 Miglia Experience, which expand the brand’s vision to new geographies, while preserving its soul.

A Legend That Keeps Rolling
The 1000 Miglia is more than just a race. It is a celebration of elegance, endurance, and engineering. It honors the pioneers who dared to race across a nation and the machines that shaped the automotive world. Whether thundering through Tuscany or coasting past the Corinthian Gulf, every edition writes a new chapter in the story of a legend.