Hollywood actors play them—Luigi Fagioli was one. Built like Rocky Marciano with wide shoulders, muscular arms, thick neck and a broad chest, his attitude could be as tough as his appearance and that could lead to violence when his temper took over. Fagioli was an explosive cocktail of hard-nosed single-mindedness, ruthlessness, chauvinism and driving talent that gave no quarter and expected none in return. The “Abruzzi Robber,” as they called him, was a truly great racing driver. Though considered mercurial…

A tough-looking Luigi Fagioli adorns the lithe body of the gorgeous Alfa Romeo P3, in which he finished 2nd at the 1933 San Sebastian GP.
Photo: Alfa Romeo