This 1959 Stanguellini Formula Junior was refurbished in 2002 before remaining active in vintage racing over the ensuing two decades. Finished in French Racing Blue over aluminum bodywork, the car is powered by a 1,089cc Fiat inline-four that features an eight-port cylinder head, dry-sump lubrication, twin Weber carburetors, and MSD electronic ignition. Additional features include a Fiat four-speed manual transmission with Hewland gears, a 4.67:1 rear end located by a Watts-linkage setup, adjustable coilover suspension, four-wheel drum brakes with vented backing plates, 14” and 12” Borrani wire wheels, a single seat upholstered in black, a six-point harness, a quick-release steering wheel, and a cool-shirt system. This Stanguellini Formula Junior comes with a collection of spare parts, spare body panels, invoices and notes from current ownership, copies of operating instructions from the Momo Corporation, and a bill of sale.
Founded at the turn of the 20th century, Modena-based Stanguellini launched its first racing team in 1937 and soon after began collecting class victories in events such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and 12 Hours of Sebring. Stanguellini’s Formula Junior single-seater was introduced in 1958 to contest the newly created entry-level formula racing class and amassed successes over the ensuing three years that included national and international championships. Like most of Stanguellini’s race cars, the Formula Junior model utilized Fiat powertrain components.
The silver-painted Borrani wire wheels measure 12” in diameter up front and 14” at the rear and are secured by two-eared knock-offs. Dunlop Racing tires measuring 4.50-12 and 5.50-14 are mounted at front and rear, respectively. Stopping is handled by four-wheel hydraulic brakes with wide-diameter front drums, cooling scoops on each backing plate, and dual master cylinders.
The cockpit features a lowered floor and houses a single seat offset to the left and trimmed in black upholstery. Features include a red six-point Schroth Racing harness, a right-hand shifter, drilled pedals, and a fire extinguisher, while a cool-shirt ice box and water pump are located in the tail segment.
The 1,089cc Fiat inline-four is mounted at a 9° angle to the car’s longitudinal axis and features a custom eight-port cylinder head, dry-sump lubrication, dual Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, and MSD electronic ignition. The engine was most recently overhauled by Kiwi Engineering in 2021 with replacement pistons, rings, bearings, and valves. $POA
