1939 Grand Prix Belgrade Celebration
2012
Belgrade, Serbia
The City of Belgrade was the site of the 79th year reunion of the Belgrade Grand Prix, that only ran once, in 1939. In September, 2012, people came from all over Europe for the first celebration of this race, which also had the distinction of being the only Grand Prix event to be held during World War II, as two days before the race Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland marked the beginning of the war.
The race held on September 3, 1939, sponsored by King Peter II of Yugoslavia, was a great event bringing out most of Belgrade's population to see the world famous racers such as Tazio Nuvolari and Manfred von Brauchitsch.
The 1939 Grand Prix season had the Silver Arrows again winning the major races, and so it was at Belgrade where Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz won 1,2, and 3.
1st. Tazio Nuvolari; Auto Union
2nd. Mercedes-Benz; Manfred von Brauchitsch
3rd. Auto Union; Hermann Paul Müller.
After the war ended the Belgrade Grand Prix fell victim to politics, due to the role of King Peter and because the race was dominated by drivers from fascist countries and was all but denied by Yugoslavia's communist government.
AllCarCentral.com is indebted to Ljubomir Ivanovic and our European Envoy, Zoran Calic, for the photos and information on this event.
Images provided by Ljubomir Ivanovic
The highly recognizable Ferrari 250 GT T Testa Rossa with it's 'pontoon' bodywork designed by Sergio Scaglietti
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
The 250's red valve covers on the V12 engine were painted red by the factory and thus resulted in the car being referred to as Testa Rossa, or Red Head.
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
Racing a V12 engined car over long distance during the 250's day, required great quantities of fuel and a very large quick-release fuel-cap for refilling.
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
The lovely 1949 Maserati A6 1500 was a car for both the street and for racing.
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
The 1927 Lancia Lambda was a very light and fast car for it's day
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
A 'Jump-Seat' for extra passengers
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
Mercedes-Benz SL sports coupe
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
Jaguars 4 door sedan with it's powerful 6 cylinder DOHC engine, originally developed for the XK120, was a very sporting car on the track and could serve to run to the store.
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
An American Packard convertible most likely showing off its original color.
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
What is this? Quite possibly a 'Bugeye' Austin Healey Sprite.
Ljubomir Ivanovic Photo 2012
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