Compromised Internals

Overview

Event Name: 1960 Liège–Rome–Liège Rally

Date: August 31–September 4, 1960

Start Location: Liège, Belgium

Finish Location: Liège, Belgium

Total Starters: 83 crews

Total Finishers: 13 crews

Known as the “Marathon de la Route,” this was one of the longest closed-road rallies ever held, sending competitors on an approximately 4800 km loop from Liège down to Rome and back with minimal service breaks.

Route

Crews tackled a continuous loop of about 4800 km: Liège → Luxembourg → France → Switzerland → Turin → Rome, then returned via the Mont Cenis pass and Alpine valleys back to Liège.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

Pat Moss & Ann Wisdom · Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I

This marked the first European Rally Championship victory for both a British crew and BMC with the Healey’s endurance and Moss’s expertise proving decisive.

Car Highlights

Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I: Robust straight-six, strengthened chassis, ideal for marathon distances.
Porsche 356 SL: Lightweight and reliable, with excellent fuel economy.
Citroën DS 19: Smooth suspension and aerodynamic body offering high average speeds.

Navigation & Challenges

Minimal Service: Crews ran for nearly four days with only timed overnight stops.
Varied Terrain: High-speed Alpine passes, winding Italian roads, and long liaison transfers.
Strict Timing: Early sections allowed virtually zero lateness before exclusion.

The Liège–Rome–Liège remains celebrated as a test of true marathon rallying, pushing man and machine to the absolute limit.

1960 Liège-Rome-Liège Rally