Veritas 328 Riva

The Veritas 328 Coupé with Carrozzeria Riva body, built in 1949 for Count Giovanni Lurani Cernuschi, is a remarkable piece of post-war automotive history. Veritas, founded by Ernst Loof, was known for creating race cars based on the pre-war BMW 328. Loof, a former motorcycle racer and engine specialist, had played a significant role in developing BMW’s successful pre-war racing models. After World War II, he joined forces with Lorenz Dietrich, the former commercial director of the BMW Allach plant, along with racer Georg “Schorsch” Meier and former six-day bicycle racer Werner Miethe. Together, they established the Veritas Working Group for Sports and Racing Car Construction in March 1947. Initially, Veritas operated on the premises of the former armaments company Weimper in Hausen am Andelsbach. Their first prototype, a roadworthy yet competition-ready open two-seater sports car, was built using the chassis and engine of a used BMW 328. This car, designated the BMW-Veritas, featured a streamlined aluminum body with ponton styling, reminiscent of the last pre-war BMW competition models. The bodywork was crafted by Kurt Frick from Meßkirch, who was responsible for Veritas’ early coachbuilding efforts. The unique 1949 Veritas 328 Coupé, commissioned by Count Lurani, stands out for its bespoke bodywork by Carrozzeria Riva. This Italian coachbuilder, known for its craftsmanship and elegant designs, created a coupé that shared design cues with their other creations, such as the Fiat-based Monza and the Alfa Romeo Serenissima. The vehicle’s flowing lines and aerodynamic shape are reminiscent of the iconic Cisitalia 202, highlighting the influence of contemporary Italian design trends on Riva’s work. The Veritas 328 Coupé’s body is distinct with its low roofline, elongated bonnet, and sculpted fenders, blending racing pedigree with Italian elegance. This particular example, combining German engineering and Italian styling, reflects the innovative spirit of the immediate post-war era, when limited resources and creativity drove automotive experimentation. Count Lurani’s Veritas 328 Coupé remains a rare and significant car, representing the intersection of competition and style, as well as the collaboration between Germany and Italy in automotive history. Today, it is a cherished collector’s item, embodying the ingenuity and resilience of its creators.