Own a Piece of Racing History: 1959 Stanguellini Formula Junior at Lucky Collector Car Auctions

Before Enzo Ferrari was a household name to every motorsport fan, before Formula One became a global spectacle, there was Formula Junior — the proving ground where legends were made. Lorenzo Bandini, Wolfgang von Trips, Ritchie Ginther, Walt Hansgen: these are names etched into racing lore, and they all cut their teeth in cars exactly like this one.

Now, Lot #137 at Lucky Collector Car Auctions gives you the rare opportunity to own one of them.

The Car This 1959 Stanguellini Formula Junior (Chassis CS00159) is not a museum piece gathering dust behind a velvet rope. It is a purpose-built, race-ready single-seater with a fascinating provenance and a fresh, high-specification build that makes it genuinely competitive today.

Designed by the legendary Alberto Massimino and bodied in hand-formed aluminum by Carrozzeria Gransport of Modena, the Stanguellini is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Formula Junior cars ever built — its flowing lines evoking the great Vanwall and Maserati 250F Grand Prix cars of the same era. Riding on classic 12-inch Borrani wire wheels, it is as stunning to look at as it is to drive.

The History Built on December 5, 1959, CS00159 was imported to the United States by Alfred Momo and raced throughout the Northeast and Midwest during the 1960s and ’70s. After years of obscurity — at one point selling for just $250 — the car was rescued by renowned vintage racer Peter Giddings in 1977 and properly restored. Since then it has passed through careful, passionate ownership, most recently being campaigned at the prestigious Monterey Reunion, including the 50th Anniversary of Formula Junior feature and the 2022 Rolex Reunion.

The Condition This is where CS00159 truly stands apart. The car has just completed an exhaustive, no-compromises rebuild:

• Fresh engine built in Texas with a marine billet crankshaft, custom narrow-journal rods, and a flow-tested cylinder head with bespoke valves
• New camshaft from UK specialist Setford, delivering a race-tuned 12.5:1 compression ratio
• Every nut, bolt, and screw is new
• Crack checks performed on all major components
• Billet 4140 axles and custom suspension pins
• New fuel cell and fire suppression system
• Period-correct throughout — all modern additions removed and replaced with proper vintage components
• Track tested November 2025

This is not a car that needs work. It is a car that wants to race.

The Opportunity Whether you dream of competing in the Formula Junior North America Championship Series, making a stunning debut at the Goodwood Revival, or simply owning one of the most historically significant and visually captivating racing cars of the postwar era, CS00159 delivers on every front. It is expected to be a frontrunner in the FJ1 category wherever it competes.

Cars with this combination of authenticity, history, beauty, and race-readiness simply do not come along often. When they do, they don’t stay available for long.

Don’t miss your chance. Bid on Lot #137 at Lucky Collector Car Auctions.

Lucky Collector Car Auctions presents the Spring Classic 2026 Auction. The auction takes place live and online June 6th and 7th at 10 a.m. PST at the LeMay Marymount Event Center. Bidding is available live and online. For more details visit their site.