Referred to as the “Queen of the Dolomites”, Cortina has remained the start and finish point for the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti since its inauguration in 1947, the course taking cars up through the Dolomite Mountains towards the picturesque village of Merano before heading back down through Verano and Passo Falzarego to Cortina. With cars having to negotiate some of Italy’s most spectacular (and precarious) mountain passes, the event is not for the faint hearted driver.
Although possessing many of the qualities of the Mille Miglia, the Coppa d’Oro takes a shorter route than its counterpart covering the 303 kilometre route over a two day period. With a select field of the World’s most impressive pre-1961 historic cars this year including a 1927 Bugatti T37, 1934 Lagonda M45 and 1956 Lancia Aurelia, eligible entries have to adhere to the exclusivity and rarity of which the Coppa d’Oro is synonymous.
With this in mind, JD Classics were privileged to have been accepted to take part in this year’s event with a very special 1950 Jaguar XK120. With two of JD Classics in-house technicians on hand throughout the event providing support, driver Keith Roberts and co-driver Barney Yarnold were in good hands behind the wheel of the JD prepared XK120.
With a select field of 51 cars taking part in this year’s edition, the first car left the start line in Cortina on Friday morning in gloriously sunny conditions and, with one minute intervals separating them, the field began to make their way up through the Italian Dolomite Mountains to Merano in the first of two legs.
With the car having successfully negotiated the gruelling terrain, the Jaguar XK120 completed the first day’s stint in 26th place out of the field of 51 cars. Having completed a faultless first leg, the JD Classics technicians inspected the car and prepared it for the following day’s return drive back to Cortina.
With similarly sunny and warm weather conditions, Keith and Barney prepared for the second and final leg back down through the mountains to Cortina. With the JD Classics support crew following the car on its 8 hour return leg, the XK120 ran well to complete the 2014 Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti.