Our Story
Off to the races
It was while attending the 1982 Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italy, that Martin Swig first dreamed of a similar event back in California.
The original roadmap
In 1927, the Mille Miglia was established by the Counts Francesco Mazzotti and Aymo Maggi. It attracted mostly Italian entrants until World War II, when the Mille Miglia hit the international stage. The most famous victory was that of Stirling Moss in 1955, whose time, never bettered, was 10h 7' 48" a nearly 100 mph average in a 300SLR Mercedes-Benz across two-lane country roads, through towns and over mountains. By the 1950s, the entry list grew to hundreds of cars in nearly 20 classes.
The race took place twenty-four times from 1927 to 1957 and then was reborn in 1977 as a regularity race for cars produced no later than 1957.
Martin Swig, originator of the California Mille
A West Coast car lover, Martin dedicated the first organized California Mille to "important cars, little roads and wonderful friends." After Martin's untimely passing in 2012, his sons David and Howard took the reins of leading the event alongside long-time Mille organizer Dan Radowicz.
The Mille finds a home in Hagerty
In 2020, California Mille joined Hagerty's growing lineup of immersive automotive experiences. At Hagerty, everything we do comes back to our purpose to save driving and to fuel car culture. That’s why we’re so proud to continue the significant tradition of the California Mille.
CEO McKeel Hagerty understands that cars are all about connection and camaraderie, two values long championed by the California Mille, and is excited to welcome the event and its participants into the Hagerty community.
McKeel Hagerty, Hagerty Chief Executive Officer