Anna Maria Peduzzi was the first female racer to drive for the legendary Scuderia Ferrari.
Anna Maria Peduzzi was the first female racer to drive for the legendary Scuderia Ferrari.
Courtesy Ferrari
She drove her FIAT 8V Zagato -- one of just five ever constructed -- to second place in this grueling race, 1956 Coppa Internazionale della Dama.
She drove her FIAT 8V Zagato -- one of just five ever constructed -- to second place in this grueling race, 1956 Coppa Internazionale della Dama.
Corsa Research
But it was in this handbuilt FIAT that she reached the zenith of racing style.
But it was in this handbuilt FIAT that she reached the zenith of racing style.
Bonhams / P. Litwinski
Peduzzi's unique model was just as capable of everyday charisma as it was of racing venom.
Peduzzi's unique model was just as capable of everyday charisma as it was of racing venom.
Bonhams / P. Litwinski
The "Gran Turismo" body was designed by perhaps the most renowned coachbuilder in Italian history, Carrozzeria Zagato.
The "Gran Turismo" body was designed by perhaps the most renowned coachbuilder in Italian history, Carrozzeria Zagato.
Bonhams / P. Litwinski
Zagato designs are legendary: in the 1930s a Milanese family took him to court on the grounds that their son must have been "mad" to order a "shockingly expensive" Zagato-bodied Alfa Romeo.
Zagato designs are legendary: in the 1930s a Milanese family took him to court on the grounds that their son must have been "mad" to order a "shockingly expensive" Zagato-bodied Alfa Romeo.
Bonhams / P. Litwinski
The judge rejected their claim, saying: "The search for beauty is a most normal thing in a man."
The judge rejected their claim, saying: "The search for beauty is a most normal thing in a man."
Bonhams / P. Litwinski
This FIAT was also technically trailblazing with four-wheel independent suspension and an eight-cylinder alloy engine.
This FIAT was also technically trailblazing with four-wheel independent suspension and an eight-cylinder alloy engine.
Bonhams / P. Litwinski
Little is now known about Peduzzi's life outside her impressive racecourse records -- but this FIAT is a living record of one of the pioneering driver's brightest hours.
Little is now known about Peduzzi's life outside her impressive racecourse records -- but this FIAT is a living record of one of the pioneering driver's brightest hours.
Bonhams / P. Litwinski