The Serenissima Jet never had really the chance to shine on a racing track

Hearing its name might feel strange to some of you. But after seeing its form it will certainly make you raise some eyebrows and have lots of questions. Because indeed you have never known this car before.

1965 Serenissima 308V Jet Competizione was originally predicted had all the advantages of a winning racing car, but... (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZqCX7F)

This car is called the Serenissima 308V Jet Competizione which first appeared at the 1965 Concours Villa d'Este. The car that was originally predicted had all the advantages of a winning racing car, but unfortunately, the coveted success never realized.

This car was commissioned by Count Giovanni Volpi for his Scuderia Serenissima racing team. At that time, Serenissima had made many interesting cars including the Breadvan, one of the most attractive modified Ferraris. However, the Jet Competizione was completely new at the time and was built from scratch by Alberto Massimino, former Fiat and Ferrari designer.

1962 Serenissima Ferrari 250 GT SWB 'Breadvan' is a 1 of 1 custom-made car built from a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB as the racing car of the Scuderia Serenissima team. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gTlqe0)

And the Jet's powertrain is a new engine designed by Massimo that was made specifically for Count Volpi's many motoring interests. It is a three-liter V8 engine that is connected to an entirely new transmission system and is designed to work well on all Automobili Serenissima vehicles, both road and racing cars.

1965 Serenissima 308V Jet Competizione uses a three-liter V8 engine that is connected to an entirely new transmission system. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32ihLlU)

Furthermore, the engine is mounted on a space frame chassis with an aluminum body shell. This car was going to contest the world’s greatest endurance races and developed by Elf Francis who is a racing mechanic of Stirling Moss.

1966 Serenissima ATS 358V Spyder, the only Serenissima racing car did make the actual race in the 1966 Le Mans. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32bFT9X)

Unfortunately, its career on the racing track did not go smoothly, when at the 1966 Le Mans race event, Jet made its debut in the race trials in April 1966 before it was decommissioned and raced only once in Italy. Even, the only Serenissima car did make the actual race was one such a 3.5-liter open-top car variant called the 358V Spyder, but stops after drove only one lap before experiencing rear axle problems.

Rear three-quarter view of the 1965 Serenissima 308V Jet Competizione. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32ihLlU)

Wanting Formula One exposure, the company made an agreement with McLaren to use a V8 engine on its 1966 M2B chassis. While it powered to McLaren’s very first world championship point, the engine was unreliable and the BRM unit was tried the following year.

Lastly, after being slept almost for forty years and not appearing in public, a Swiss owner reunited the same engine with the original Jet body (chassis #003) then performed a restoration to appear at the 2006 Concours Villa d'Este. When you see this car still has its original paint and interior, it is not surprising because the car has never really raced on the racing circuit. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOMOBILI SERENISSIMA | SUPERCARS.NET]

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