Ferrari 250 MM Spider Morelli

The Ferrari 250 Spider Morelli, chassis number 0276MM, began its journey as a Pinin Farina Berlinetta in 1953, initially owned by Franco Cornacchia and raced for Scuderia Guastalla. The car quickly made an impact, with strong performances in the 1953 racing season. In March, Cornacchia placed third overall at the Corsa sulle Torricelle hillclimb, followed by another third-place finish in the Giro di Sicilia in April. Later in June, the car took first place in the Trieste-Opicina hillclimb and again claimed victory at the Stella Alpina in August. In the same year, 0276MM was rebodied as a Spider by Morelli of Ferrara, Italy. This transformation helped cement its identity as a Ferrari Spider, and the car continued to race under new ownership by Luigi Piotti. The car participated in several high-profile races, achieving notable results such as a sixth-place overall finish at the Gran Premio dell’Autodromo Monza in June and a first-place finish at the Circuito di Reggio Calabria in August. Piotti also raced the car in endurance events, including the 12h Pescara race alongside Clemente Biondetti. In 1954, the car’s racing career continued, with strong finishes in various events. At the Mille Miglia, Piotti secured fourth place overall and second in the S+2.0 category. The car also won the 3-hour Bari race and placed well in the Targa Florio, further solidifying its reputation as a competitive and durable machine. By July 1954, the car was renumbered to 0330MM according to factory assembly sheets. The car’s racing history continued through various owners, including involvement in American racing with modifications such as a Chevrolet V8 engine and additional bodywork alterations. Over the years, it participated in multiple Mille Miglia events, continuing to captivate collectors and enthusiasts. The car’s story is a testament to its enduring legacy, with a continuous series of ownerships and racing engagements, some of which saw the car modified and rebuilt for modern standards, such as when it was re-bodied as a Vignale Spyder in the late 1980s. Despite these changes, 0276MM’s history remains rich in racing heritage, with notable performances at prestigious events around the world.