A Post-War Masterpiece Forged by Ingenuity
In the aftermath of World War II, Italy faced severe shortages in automotive materials and components. Amid this scarcity, one man—Rodolfo Patriarca, an ingenious Roman engineer—set out to build a compact, purpose-built racing machine from his modest workshop near Rome. What he created was nothing short of remarkable: the Patriarca 750 Sport Barchetta, a lightweight torpedo-shaped barchetta that would go on to define post-war Italian motorsport innovation.
From Topolino Heart to Racing Soul
At the core of the 750 Sport Barchetta lies a heavily modified Fiat Topolino 500cc engine, repositioned at the front of the car. Patriarca masterfully increased the displacement to 750cc, added a sport-tuned camshaft, a twin-barrel Solex carburetor, enlarged the valve openings, and refined the exhaust system—all designed to extract maximum performance from minimal components.
Featherweight Form Follows Function
Patriarca designed an innovative tubular chassis, wrapped in a thin, aerodynamic aluminum body in the spirit of form follows function. Despite its pragmatic construction, the Barchetta boasts elegant, torpedo-like lines and a striking open-mouth front grille, made from aluminum mesh to optimize airflow and engine cooling. The fender arches were sculpted down to their absolute minimum to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and minimize weight.
A Rare Gem with Racing Pedigree
Only seven units of the 750 Sport Barchetta were ever produced, and just three original examples are known to exist today. This particular model not only competed in prestigious races such as Circuito del Valentino, Circuito del Posillipo, and Coppa della Toscana, but also participated in the 2016 Mille Miglia revival—where it gained iconic status after appearing on the official event book cover.
Patriarca: The Wizard of San Giovanni
Rodolfo Patriarca is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of post-war Italian racing cars, earning the nickname “The Wizard of San Giovanni”. His creations, though few, are cherished by collectors and connoisseurs for their mechanical purity, rarity, and historic significance.
Bottom Line: A featherweight racing body with the soul of a Topolino—and the legacy of a true wizard.
Price: Not disclosed.
