Description
1953 – 1956 Luigi Musso original helmet
This vintage Herbert Johnson helmet was worn for several years up to and including the 1956 Nurburgring where Musso had a big accident in the Ferrari 290 MM s/n 0616, as evidenced by the scarring. Musso was an official works driver between 1953-1956 for Alfieri Maserati and from 1956-1958 for Scuderia Ferrari. In 1956 he wore this mostly driving the 860 Monza & Lancia D50. He had 10 wins, 19 2nd & 3rd places between 1953 and 1958. This crash helmet has the Cavallino, Italian flag motif, and a ‘dog’, all hand painted on it. It includes a special monogrammed carrying case, as well as 2 cases for pairs of glasses and spare goggle lenses.
There are several photos of Luigi wearing this helmet – sitting with Fangio and in the #13 Ferrari 860 Monza (s/n 0602M) at the 1956 12 Hours of Sebring where he finished second overall, and again in car #556 during the 1956 Mille Miglia where he finished 3rd overall. Finally there is one of him holding it in his hotel room after the crash at the Nurburgring!
To find a vintage helmet with this type of provenance and photographic reference is remarkable and as such it’s expensive.
- This gem of course comes with our lifetime certificate.