Lungo, or long, refers to the wheelbase of this racer turned luxury road car, and indeed it is long while still allowing plenty of rear overhang – almost as much as the McLaren Speedtail’s. Touring, of Milan, is the coachbuilder which clothed most of the 32 8C 2900B chassis made in 1937-8. Most were Spider convertibles while only five Berlinetta saloons like this one were made.
Which makes it all the more special of course, not that it lacks specialness – the design sees to that.
As you might imagine for one so rare and highly regarded, every detail of its pampered life over 79 years has been meticulously recorded by its few owners. It was delivered new in Italy but then brought to the UK later in ’39 where it has had just four owners since, the current keeper being the son of the man who bought it in 1976.
In its time it has won concours d’elegance at Pebble Beach and at Villa d’Este in Italy and no doubt in the hands of a new owner will go on to do so again. For auction house Artcurial the car is “part of the automobile aristocracy, a masterpiece on a par with a Leonardo de Vinci painting.”