Frankly, the resurgence of the iconic Mille Miglia primarily serves as an enormous promotional spectacle rather than a competitive event. However, nowhere else but in Italy can one vividly envision the nostalgic era of automobiles. With and particularly without sockets.
The automotive landscape in Italy has significantly evolved. Backed by generous incentives personalized according to the vehicle, target audience, and usage patterns, the Italian government is actively encouraging motorists to embrace the future of electromobility. This task poses challenges, given that most cars available in the Italian market are budget-friendly small and compact models—often of older editions. Transitioning to a new plug-in model can impose a financial strain, compounded by the insufficient power infrastructure in numerous regions, lacking a substantial network of rapid charging stations and users. The upcoming generation of the popular Lancia Y faces a notable price hike of nearly 8,000 euros from its previous market value of nearly 15,000 euros, despite all subsidies.
The new Lancia Y also joins the Mille Miglia Green initiative—a slight disappointment, as despite the historic Mille Miglia witnessing a surge in participants to over 400, despite the steep entry fee exceeding 12,000 euros and extensive waitlists, only seven plug-in vehicles will partake in the 2024 Mille Miglia Green. For many enthusiasts, the stance is clear. Thomas Kempner from Switzerland, who annually reunites with friends in Brescia, voices, “Electric vehicles have no place in the Mille Miglia,” questioning, “What’s the essence? We long for the sight of vintage racing cars.”
Concurrently, the revival of the esteemed Mille Miglia continues to captivate this year. Despite a few towns retracting participation permissions in this eminent regularity race veiling aspirations of transforming into a competitive road race, both participants and spectators are fervent about the classic car rally from Brescia to Rome. Spectators cheer by the roadside, children wave Mille Miglia flags, and under the sun, a celebratory ambience emerges for brief intervals—with tramezzini, espresso, and dolce. Individuals who appreciate vintage or classic automobiles, own a heritage vehicle, and nurture a fervor for cars should experience the Mille Miglia atleast once in their lifetime. Majority of the attendees find themselves returning due to the distinct, unparalleled atmosphere this event cultivates, transcending multiple similar gatherings across the globe. Embrace Bella Italia on four wheels—now spanning five days to traverse cities like Turin, Lucca, Viterbo, Siena, all while cruising past notable landmarks like the Passo della Futa or Lake Garda.
Many of the vintage treasures on display—all mandated to be suitable for the historical Mille Miglia rally spanning 1927 to 1957—are of substantial worth. Enthusiasts from Europe, Asia, or the USA await patiently for their cherished vehicle to gain approval from the efficiency-driven organizers. Be it the resplendent Alfa Romeo 6Cs, stunning Mercedes 300 SL gullwing editions, Fiat 508 Cs, Bentley Blowers, or BMW 328s—if these masterpieces on vintage wheels fail to captivate you, no automobile is likely to leave an impression. Where else could former DTM champion Nicola Larini showcase his skills in a striking 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider, or witness a 1930 Mercedes Super-Sport from the W 06 series, once owned by the Maharaja of Kashmir? The elegant, supercharged four-seater invokes memories of Rudolf Caracciola’s triumph in the 1931 Mille Miglia in the SSKL. Merely rejoining the Mille Miglia Green highlights in 2025 would not suffice.
