The major auctions held this week and weekend on the Monterey Peninsula will feature many historic and valuable cars, possibly the greatest concentration in one place in automotive history. Of all the vehicles slated to cross the block, however, none may be as unique as the one featured here: a 1956 Fiat Series 306/2 Grand Prix Transporter by Carrozzeria Bartoletti.

Over its distinguished career, this transporter served the Maserati, Scarab, RAI, Lotus, Alan Mann, and in this livery starting in 1962, Shelby American where it transported Cobras around the world at a time when they won the World Sports Car title and vanquished Ferrari, which transported its cars in a very similar vehicle.

Over its distinguished career, this transporter served Maserati, Scarab, RAI, Lotus, Alan Mann, and (in this livery starting in 1962) Shelby American teams, carrying Cobras around the world at a time when they won the World Sports Car title and vanquished Ferrari, which transported its cars in a very similar carrier.

From RM Auctions comes the following background text on this special vehicle.--Richard Truesdell

The extraordinary history of this unique transporter begins with Lance Reventlow's Scarab car-building and racing concern. Young Reventlow was the only child of Woolworth department store heiress Barbara Hutton. Not unlike Carroll Shelby, he passionately believed that American ingenuity, hardware, car-building skills, and racing drivers were good enough to take on anyone in the world.

Founding Reventlow Automobiles