1911 Fiat S.74

1911 Fiat S.74

Stamped with number 1, this is believed to be the first of three S.74s built by Fiat ahead of the 1911 season. It was raced extensively by Caleb Bragg with considerable success. The best result was the bittersweet victory at the 1912 United States Grand Prix at Milwaukee. Fitted with a muffler and minimal driver protection, it was sold by Bragg to Vincent Astor in 1914. In 1936, it was donated by Astor to George Waterman who over time created the greatest collection of early racing cars in the world. His collection eventually passed into the hands of William Harrah from whose estate the car was acquired by George Wingard in 1982. A true connoisseur of early Grand Prix cars, he has completely restored the car to its original configuration. In this guise, the car was shown at Pebble Beach and subsequently driven by Wingard with great verve both at Laguna Seca and Goodwood.

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams