The Bugatti Type 35 will be racing
Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari and other auto brands are getting ready for the historic Mille Miglia race May 15-18 that limits participants to models made before 1957.
The Mille Miglia race transports auto enthusiasts to the early days of racing when manufacturers were designing some of the essential components currently used. The race also allows automakers to build up their credentials in the eyes of discerning customers.
"You’re touching on a sacred subject," said Bob Prosser, CEO of Auto World Marketing Corp., San Diego. "Mille Miglia is not a small thing to trivialize. It’s sort of the first Super Bowl, it's a wonderful race, filled with history, filled with names and wonderful marks.
"For any automaker with a history behind them, they want to compete and involve themselves," he said.
A time to reflect
The Mille Miglia originated in 1927, a time when many automakers were far from their current versions. Indeed,the race was regarded as a "hotspot of innovation," and automakers seized the opportunity to test new concepts from fuel injections and even windshield wipers.
The cavalier atmosphere ultimately led to its demise in 1957, however, when too many casualities compelled authorities to shut it down.
Since then, the race has loomed large in the auto world's imagination. Today it functions as a way to celebrate the achievements of the past.
Many luxury automakers traffic heavily in historical events and view the race as an opportunity to conjure a sense of the rigorous and imaginative early days.
Bugatti will be deploying its Type 35, the brand's most successful racing model, and the Type 51, which is regarded as the high-point of Bugatti construction.
Bugatti Type 51
Bentley will be meeting with members of the Bentley Drivers Club in Brescia, Italy, where the race begins, on the afternoon before the race.
Bentley Facebook post regarding Mille Miglia
During the race, the brand will be participating with two of the company's four-and-a-half liter supercharged "Blowers."
Bentley Blower
Ferrari is building solidarity among its owners by bringing together vintage and modern vehicles for a tribute race a day before the Mille Miglia. When owners feel a sense of camaraderie with one another, the loyalty felt toward a brand strengthens, which generates louder brand advocates and more sale (see story).
Ferrari vehicle at Mille Miglia
Throughout the event automakers will be able to unite fans from around the world with social media updates.
Bring it in
There will always be a loose band of driving enthusiasts dispersed throughout the world. Automakers regularly bring these dedicated owners together for driving expeditions, but rarely do the events have the history associated with Mille Miglia.
For instance, Bentley expanded its driving tours with new locations and partnerships to draw new consumers and treat Bentley loyalists to curated experiences.
The tours travel through Britain, Italy, France and parts of the United States and link up with luxury partners such as Chanel and Harrods. Providing customers with experiences that situate a brand in the larger context of luxury while demonstrating the best of what showcased products can accomplish enables automakers to cultivate loyalists (see story).
Also, Maserati draws consumers to its Master Maserati driving courses with the promise of an authentic cultural experience.
The available driving courses vary in both duration and intensity, but are girded by culturally resonant activities. Whether conversing with locals, eating prosciutto or tasting local wine, Maserati strives to impart an attitude specific to the brand (see story).
While any brand can host a driving event, not every brand can participate in an event as hallowed as Mille Miglia.
"You don't earn your chops because you want to claim something," Mr. Prosser said. "You have to earn it."
Final take
Joe McCarthy, editorial assistant on Luxury Daily, New York