This picture captures a very interesting piece of history. These cars, and the trophy between them represent a rather ambitious race that Monza held in 1957 and 1958.

The race of two worlds was to be the meeting between Formula 1 and Indy cars of the time (The Indy 500 counting for World championship points in that period as well). In the first year, most F1 teams boycotted the race, siting safety concerns on Monza's new built oval. However, a few teams raced anyway...even a trio of Jaguar D-type Sports cars entered. The race was on by Jimmy Bryant (#1 car). The Podium was all american, the new two steps filled by Troy Ruttman (The 1952 Indy 500 winner) and Johnny Parsons (the 1950 Indy 500 winner). The rest of the Grand Prix cars that entered failed, leaving the 3 Jaguar D types in the next three positions.

1958 was a different story however. The large GP teams lifted their boycott, and even made special built cars. Maserati had prepared the special "Eldorado" car, Ferrari bringing a new 4.1L V12 that won Pole at 174.6mph (slower than Tony Bettenhausen's Novi pole speed of 176.8mph the year before), and Jaguar fielding the very Elegant Lister Jaguars made especially for the race.

The race however, once again went the American's way. Jim Rathmann (The winner of 1960 Indy 500, and the #5 car pictured here) with 2nd falling to Jimmy Bryan and thrid the V12 Ferrari of Luigi Musso. The jaguars fared worse, placing ninth, eleventh and twleth.

The race would not be held again, Monza promoters loosing a pretty penny on the races. The oval at Monza would eventually be phased out...the only part still in use is the old front stretch, part of the current GP course. The rest of the once proud oval is slowly falling apart. To my knowledge there are no plans to restore it.

The trophy and both winning cars are owned and maintained by the Indianapolis motor speedway Hall of Fame museum, their display pictured here, in 2008.