Beschreibung:

‘Pasquale Ermini, a former driver and pre-war racing mechanic of great experience, specialised largely in the 1100cc national class, notable owners including Piero Scotti, who won his class in the 1950 Giro di Siclia, Targa Florio, Tuscany Cup and other important races, becoming Italian 1100ccc Champion before moving on to Ferraris…’ – The Encyclopaedia of Motor Sport, 1971. This charming little FIAT-derived competition car is typical of the great upsurge of small independent Italian racing car constructors, whose products populated the circuits and hill climbs of Italy in the years immediately after WW2. Like many of his contemporaries, Pasquale Ermini used FIAT components for his limited edition sports-racers, which were mainly intended for competition in the popular 1100cc class. Typically, Ermini’s own cars used a tubular chassis designed by Gilco (Gilberto Colombo) and were powered by engines constructed around the FIAT 1100 cylinder block. The twin-cam Ermini engine was an immediate success and was sold to many competitors, finding its way into a variety of chassis. There was also a pretty Frua-bodied 1300 Coupé. A very important Italian barchetta made by Ermini in 1955, this particular car competed twice in the Mille Miglia, in 1956 and 1957, and has taken part in the modern evocation of the famous Italian road race on no fewer than 15 occasions. Chassis number ‘1855’ is one of the three Tipo 357s bodied by Carrozzeria Scaglietti in Modena and seems to be the only surviving example with the wonderful Ermini 1,431cc four-cylinder engine. The car is in stunning condition, boasting a perfect aluminium body, original instruments, ancillaries, wooden steering wheel and seats. A set of five original Borrani wheels is fitted on the car, which benefits from a recent mechanical overhaul. This Italian masterpiece is accompanied by a huge amount of historical documentation: letters, photographs, Mille Miglia entries, and rare autographic memorabilia by Ermini, Scaglietti and Castagneto. The car was fully restored in 1990 by the best Italian specialists and since then has been carefully maintained by the current and most meticulous owner. Eligible for a wide variety of the most prestigious historic events, it is offered with FIVA passport and Italian libretto. Très importante "barchetta" réalisée par Ermini en 1955, cette voiture a été engagée deux fois aux Mille Milles, en 1956 et 1957. Par ailleurs, elle a participé pas moins de quinze fois à la rétrospective moderne de la fameuse course italienne sur route. Cette voiture dotée du numéro de châssis "1855" est l'une des trois "Tipo 357" carrossées par Scaglietti à Modène, et semble être la seule survivante équipée du merveilleux moteur Ermini quatre cylindres 1 431 cm3. La voiture est dans un état étonnant, offrant une carrosserie aluminium parfaite, et des instruments, accessoires, volant bois et sièges d'origine. Un jeu de cinq jantes Borrani originales équipe la voiture, qui bénéficie d'une révision mécanique récente. Ce chef-d'œuvre italien est accompagné d'une très importante documentation historique : des lettres, photos, bulletins d'engagement aux Mille Milles, et de rares documents signés Ermini, Scaglietti et Castagneto. La voiture a été complètement restaurée en 1990 par les meilleurs spécialistes italiens et, depuis, a été soigneusement entretenue par son très méticuleux propriétaire actuel. Eligible pour une grande variété d'épreuves historiques les plus prestigieuses, elle est en possession de son passeport FIVA et de son "libretto" italien.