Sir,

Your May edition refers to the Biondetti Special. This calls for a gentle correction, as there were in fact two Biondetti Specials, both of which still exist. Both have participated in recent Mille Miglia retrospective events.

Car one, the first Biondetti Special, was based on a Ferrari 166 into which Biondetti fitted the Jaguar engine from the works XK120 he had used in the 1950 Targa Florio. The resulting car retained the Ferrari frame, suspension and body. The chassis flexed badly and it was not a success, but was used in an F1 event (Monza GP, 1950) and in the 1951 Mille Miglia. Contemporary photos clearly show the Ferrari suspension and 166-type body, and also that Biondetti used the numberplate from the Jaguar.

Car two: Biondetti was selected to drive a factory C-type in the 1951 Le Mans, but did not finish. Biondetti then wanted to purchase a C-type, but the factory had none available, so the resulting compromise was to supply an engine, gearbox and rear axle, plus front suspension and radiator grille. He created his own chassis frame and body. This second Jaguar-engined special ran in various events starting with the 1952 Mille Miglia.

The second car is in Italy, while the first one, after spending many years in Britain, has come to Denmark. This car has been transformed over the years and now has a cut-off XK frame, Jaguar front suspension, front disc brakes and unusual coil-spring rear suspension, so it has survived more in the spirit than in the flesh, but has unbroken continuous history.

Ole Sommer, Sommer’s Automobile Museum, Haerum, Denmark