The 1950s and 1960s were the heyday of the racing transporters that are still highly regarded today - or have recently been rediscovered. The largely identical vehicles of Scuderia Ferrari and Maserati were among the best-known and most technically advanced racing transporters of their day. A Fiat bus chassis served as the basis - the Fiat 642 RN2 model, later followed by the more powerful Fiat 682 RN. Coachbuilder Bartoletti turned it into a transporter for three racing cars by fitting an open body. Equipped with a 92 bhp straight-six diesel engine, the racing teams' "workhorses" at first glance differed only in their exterior paintwork and advertising liveries. Only on closer inspection did it become apparent that the Maserati transporter did in fact differ from its Ferrari sibling in several respects.
Racing transporters were often on the road for days at a time to reach racetracks that were sometimes very remote. They were used "not only" to transport their extremely valuable cargo, but could do far more: they carried a fully equipped small workshop on board and doubled as a parts store. Above all, however, they served the crew and drivers as a logistics centre, common room and sleeping quarters - an important retreat during hectic race weekends.
The mechanics also drove the transporters. Tight schedules forced them into logistically ingenious multi-day trips. Large double fuel tanks guaranteed a considerable range, avoiding time-consuming and costly refuelling stops. After what was already an exhausting drive came the actual task at hand - work at the track.
Many crew members spent much of their working lives in and around the racing transporters in this way. They were their second home.
Exhibition model
