Motor Sport's June 1955 cover has been voted the best by readers
The choice has been made: following thousands of votes, Motor Sport readers have selected the momentous June 1955 issue – depicting Stirling Moss and journalist Denis Jenkinson after their milestone 1955 Mille Miglia win – as the Cover of the Century.
It saw off strong competition from various eye-catching designs such the August 2021 magazine featuring Lando Norris, the arresting image of Francois Cevert used for November 2013, Walter Rohrl’s Lancia 037 launching over a crest in March 1983 and our November 1931 report on the last ever Brooklands race.
The iconic ’55 shot of a jubilant Moss and ‘Jenks’, faces blackened by oil, brake dust and dirt, has become an enduring racing image, made instantly recognisable in its pairing with the green-and-white-stripe of Motor Sport’s mid-’50s cover arrangement.
June 1955 magazine saw off strong competition
That front was accompanied by the latter’s account of the thrilling race – still seen by many as the benchmark it sport journalism.
The pair completed the 1000-mile race at a record average speed of 99mph (158km/h). Covering the formidable road race in 10hr 7min 48sec, they beat team-mate Juan Manuel Fangio by 48sec.
Moss and Jenks were competing in a Mercedes 300SL for the works team, with the journalist providing pace notes via his home-made roller device.
The treacherous route was often the scene of racing fatalities – two drivers and one spectator died in the ’55 edition – not that it deterred Moss and Jenks.
“Moss was driving absolutely magnificently, right on the limit of adhesion all the time, and more often than not over the limit,” the latter wrote.
“After previous Mille Miglias I have said ‘he who wins the Mille Miglia is some driver, and the car he uses is some sports car.’ I now say it again with the certain knowledge that I know what I’m talking and writing about this time.”
Motor Sport’s seminal June 1955 Mille Miglia report, written by Denis Jenkinson, is now available to purchase as a special edition reprint – more information can be found here.
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