Musso flies over the Targa Florio

Italian Luigi Musso, in his works Ferrari 250 TR, wins alongside Belgian Olivier Gendebien, the 1958 Targa Florio (splendid picture above by Bernard Cahier).

The 42nd Targa Florio took place on 11 May 1958, on the Circuito Piccolo delle Madonie, in Sicily, Italy. It was the third round of the 1958 World Sportscar Championship. A massive total of 65 racing cars were registered for this event, of which 53 arrived for practice.

Musso was setting an incredible pace. He started last of the big works entrants, but at the end of the first lap (of 14, each 45 miles), he would be first. Being in the lead, he set about performing an error-free drive. Moss would be on the hunt in his Aston, ever-impressive sliding around in corners.

With Gendebien now in the car, Moss would take his Aston even faster, but it came at a price. After five laps, the gearbox gave up, and Moss was out of the race, before Brooks had a chance to race. As for the Belgian, he was driving smartly, keeping the car on the road, and in the lead.

Finally, Gendebien brought the 250 TR home, to record a brilliant victory, in a race dominated by the impressive Luigi Musso. Car 106, picture below, took a convincing victory, winning at an average speed of 59.251 mph. For those who know the Sicilian roads, it’s quite an impressive achievement, after more than 10 hours racing.