Picchio sports prototypes (SR2, D-USA, DP2, CN2, P4/E2, 4C)
Picchio of Ancarano, Italy, has built sports prototypes since 1998: the BMW-engined SR2 for the FIA Sports Racing World Cup and Grand-Am, the DP2 Daytona Prototype, and the CN2 and P4/E2 hillclimb barchettas. Low production and Italian hillclimb pedigree make them rare, specialist cars for CIVM entrants and historic prototype racers.
History
Picchio S.r.l. is based in the industrial zone of Ancarano, near Teramo in Abruzzo. The company dates its birth to 1989, when Giotto Bizzarrini designed and built its first prototype with Francesco Di Pietrantonio 23. Picchio still builds race cars, one-off prototypes and electric platforms 2.
The first race car, the SR2, appeared in 1998. It is also known by its chassis codes A001 and MB1 311. The structure is a tubular steel frame with riveted and bonded aluminium panels and a glassfibre body 811. The 3.0 L BMW straight-six was built by Amaroli and gave around 420 hp through a Hewland FT200 five-speed 8. Scuderia Giudici debuted the car at Misano in July 1998 in the International Sports Racing Series, then ran it through 1999 and 2000 with Gianni Giudici, Arturo Merzario and Raffaele Raimondi 34. A 1998 entry for the Le Mans round of the ISRS did not arrive 4. A GG1 variant ran an Alfa Romeo V6 in 2000 16.
In 2002 Armando Trentini took the car to the United States as the D-USA for Grand-Am's SRPII class. G&W Motorsports ran it to second in the 2002 SRPII standings and a win at the Mont-Tremblant six-hour 34. For 2003 Picchio built the DP2 for the new Daytona Prototype class: a carbon body over a steel tube frame, BMW V8, 900 kg, sold at 375,000 USD with three years of support 9. The DP2 finished 24th on debut at the 2003 Daytona 24 Hours and took third at Virginia later that year 4. Steve Marshall won the 2003 SRPII title in a D-USA and Picchio took the constructors' title 3. DP2s raced on until 2006; a DP3 was tested but never raced 34.
From 2004 Picchio turned to hillclimbing with the CN2 Light, an FIA-approved Group CN barchetta later fitted with a Honda Type R engine 13. The P4/E2 followed in 2010 with a 1,750 cc turbo four for the E2B/E2SC classes; Christian Merli won six of seven races in it 3 and opened the 2011 CIVM with a win at Passo dello Spino 12. A 2015 P4 used an Alfa Romeo DTM 2.5 V6 of about 500 hp with Michele Fattorini 6. Since 2016 Picchio has also built the Alfa Romeo 4C E2SH silhouette, which won the CIVM class in 2019 and 2021 with Alessandro Gabrielli 113.
Palmarès
SR2: 9th overall and 4th in class at the 1999 Monza 500 km, 14th at the 1999 Tourist Trophy, 3rd at the 2000 Monza Aprimatic Trophy 48; Picchio credits the car with the Italian Prototype Championship (CIP) and the SRWC class title with Giudici, Merzario and Raimondi 1. D-USA: 2nd in the 2002 Grand-Am SRPII drivers' standings, win at the Mont-Tremblant 6 Hours, 2003 SRPII drivers' title with Steve Marshall and constructors' title 3. DP2: 24th at the 2003 Daytona 24 Hours, 3rd at Virginia 2003, 25th at Daytona 2004 4. P4/E2: six wins from seven races with Christian Merli, including the 2011 Passo dello Spino CIVM opener 312. 4C E2SH: CIVM class titles 2019 and 2021 with Alessandro Gabrielli 13.
What to check before you buy
Match the chassis code (A001, MB1, GG1, 1-02, MC-01) to the racingsportscars.com archive: Few cars exist and histories are mixed between Europe and Grand-Am; the archive lists each type's entries. Confirm which engine is fitted and who built it: Picchio lists BMW, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar engines for the SR2 and several units for the P4; the engine builder sets rebuild costs. Ask whether the FIA technical passport is current and which class it names: Hillclimb cars are sold with a technical passport; the RCN ex-Merli listing names E2SC 3000 while the 2010 car was 1,750 cc E2B. Inspect the Hewland gearbox oil, dogs and any recent rebuild invoices: A documented FT200 failure from oil starvation cost a complete rebuild on a 1999 car. Check the gearbox type against the class you plan to run: Cars appear with FT200 five-speed, NMT six-speed sequential or paddle-shift semi-automatic; CIVM and CN rules differ on allowed systems. Weigh the car and compare with the class minimum: Group CN minimums run from 475 kg to 625 kg by capacity; the DP2 is 900 kg; the 4C E2SH is about 820 kg. Verify the car's results claims against event classifications: Wins are attributed to drivers such as Merli, Gabrielli, Ingrassia and Iaquinta; only 2011 Spino and the 2019/2021 E2SH titles are independently confirmed here.
Versions and evolutions
| Version | Years | What changed | How to identify |
|---|---|---|---|
| SR2 / A001 / MB1 | 1998-2000 | First Picchio race car for ISRS and Sports Racing World Cup SR2 rules; BMW 3.0 straight-six, Hewland FT200. 11 | Steel tube frame with aluminium panels, glassfibre body; Martini livery on the ex-Giudici car; later GG1 variant with Alfa Romeo V6. |
| SR2 Alfa (Ellegi V6) | 2001 | Alfa Romeo-based 3.5 L V6 by Ellegi Motori, 430 cv, Hewland NMT 6-speed sequential. 7 | Yellow car offered by a dealer in Ascoli Piceno; technical passport; 474 km recorded. |
| D-USA / SRP2 | 2002-2003 | Grand-Am SRPII version of the SR2 run by G&W Motorsports; BMW L6 3000 cc. 4 | Chassis 1-02 in Grand-Am results; eligible for US historic racing per Picchio. |
| DP2 Daytona Prototype | 2003-2006 | Closed Daytona Prototype on a steel tube frame with carbon body; BMW V8 4.9 L; 18-inch wheels; 900 kg. 9 | Coupé body, 4,480 mm long, 1,995 mm wide; chassis MC-01 in records. |
| CN2 Light / CN2 / CN4 | 2004 onward | Group CN hillclimb barchetta; CN2 with Honda Type R engine, CN4 with Alfa Romeo engine. 1 | Open two-seat barchetta; FIA CN homologation on the technical passport; weight by CN class table. |
| P4/E2 (E2B/E2SC) | 2010 onward | FIA E2B/E2SC prototype with 1,750 cc turbo four; steel spaceframe with carbon panels; Hewland NMT 6-speed; later AER 1750 and 2023 EVO update. 5 | Ex-Merli car listed on RCN as 'P4/FIA E2SC 3000'; power steering; 2015 Alfa DTM V6 variant also exists. |
| 4C E2SH silhouette and P6 | 2016 onward | Alfa Romeo 4C-based E2SH car, 2.0 AER turbo of 600-700 hp, about 820 kg; a 'Picchio P6' appears in 2025 CIVM results in E2SH +3000. 13 | Closed silhouette with 4C carbon tub, large rear wing and roof intake. |
Known issues
- Hewland FT200 gearbox on SR2/MB1 runs dry and self-destructs — A 1999 car's FT200 ran out of oil at the Monterey Reunion and needed a complete rebuild before racing again. 10
- Fiddly wheel-nut retention on the SR2 — The Giudici car lost second place at Brno 1999 to a wheel-nut problem; check hubs, nuts and pegs on every pre-race inspection. 8
- Low build numbers, so bodywork and frame parts are made to order — A dealer states only 6 SR2s were built; racingsportscars lists five chassis types in total, so no used-parts pool exists. 7
- Engine supply differs by version — SR2s ran Amaroli BMW sixes, Ellegi Alfa V6s or Jaguar units; P4/E2 cars ran 1750 turbos, AER units or Alfa DTM V6s. Each needs its own specialist. 1
- P4/E2 sold with or without engine and with optional engine overhaul — The RCN listing quotes 130,000 or 220,000 EUR depending on equipment, so the engine state drives the price. €90,000 difference between configurations (2023) 5
- Aged aluminium-panel frame on 1998-2000 cars — Riveted and bonded panels on a steel tube frame: ask for crack-test records and check bond lines after 25 years of use. 11
Checklist before you buy
- Match the chassis code (A001, MB1, GG1, 1-02, MC-01) to the racingsportscars.com archive — Few cars exist and histories are mixed between Europe and Grand-Am; the archive lists each type's entries. 16
- Confirm which engine is fitted and who built it — Picchio lists BMW, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar engines for the SR2 and several units for the P4; the engine builder sets rebuild costs. 1
- Ask whether the FIA technical passport is current and which class it names — Hillclimb cars are sold with a technical passport; the RCN ex-Merli listing names E2SC 3000 while the 2010 car was 1,750 cc E2B. 5
- Inspect the Hewland gearbox oil, dogs and any recent rebuild invoices — A documented FT200 failure from oil starvation cost a complete rebuild on a 1999 car. 10
- Check the gearbox type against the class you plan to run — Cars appear with FT200 five-speed, NMT six-speed sequential or paddle-shift semi-automatic; CIVM and CN rules differ on allowed systems. 7
- Weigh the car and compare with the class minimum — Group CN minimums run from 475 kg to 625 kg by capacity; the DP2 is 900 kg; the 4C E2SH is about 820 kg. 14
- Verify the car's results claims against event classifications — Wins are attributed to drivers such as Merli, Gabrielli, Ingrassia and Iaquinta; only 2011 Spino and the 2019/2021 E2SH titles are independently confirmed here. 12
Running costs 5
| Rebuild interval | Not published; depends on the engine fitted (BMW six, Alfa V6, Honda K20, 1750 turbo, AER, Judd) |
|---|---|
| Typical rebuild cost | Not published; a P4/E2 was offered with or without an engine overhaul at a 90,000 EUR price gap in 2023 5 |
| Consumables | Hewland gearbox oil and dog rings; brake pads for 4-piston calipers (DP2) 9; no model-specific figures published |
| Spares availability | Factory in Ancarano still trades and supplies original spare parts 5; US parts were offered through Shawn Bayliff Racing, North Carolina 8 |
Where it races today
- CIVM / Italian hillclimb · E2SC, E2SH, CN — P4/E2 cars run E2B/E2SC; the 4C and P6 run E2SH +3000; a Picchio P6 raced the 2025 Gubbio round. 1
- Historic racing, USA · Grand-Am SRPII and Daytona Prototype cars — Picchio states the SRP2 and Daytona Prototype are eligible for US historic races; a 1999 car has run Masters Endurance Legends and the Monterey Reunion. 10
- FIA Hill Climb / Hill Climb Masters · Category 2 (CN/E2-SC, E2-SS) — FIA Category 2 groups CN and E2-SC by capacity; check the current FIA eligible-cars annex for a given chassis. 14
- Track days · Open — SR2s have run Daytona Italian Cars events; open barchettas need the organiser's noise and roll-over approval. 8
Market prices
- Picchio P4/FIA E2SC 3000 ex Merli, 2010, AER 1750 turbo, Hewland NMT, with 2023 update, racingcarnetwork.com: 175,824 (130,000-220,000 EUR by equipment) USD (2023-03) 5
- Picchio SR2, 2001, Alfa V6 3.5 by Ellegi, 430 cv, 474 km, dealer Mariani in Ascoli Piceno, AutoScout24 (listing undated, seen 2025-11): 109,500 EUR (2025-11) 7
- 1999 Picchio SRP2 MB1 BMW 3.0, Martini livery, race-cars.com, marked sold (listing undated): 79,900 USD (2023-01) 8
- Picchio DP2 Daytona Prototype, new, with three-year support programme: 375,000 USD (2003-01) 9
As of November 2025 only one Picchio is listed on RCN and one on AutoScout24; asking prices sit between about 80,000 USD for a 1999 SR2 and 220,000 EUR for a fresh E2SC car, with no auction results found.
Reference prices are dated and sourced; live asking prices are in the listings above.
Frequently asked questions
Did Picchio race at the Le Mans 24 Hours?
No record found. The only Le Mans entry in the racingsportscars archive is a 1998 ISRS 2h30 race at Le Mans, where the A001 did not arrive. Picchio's international results came from the SRWC in Europe and Grand-Am in the USA, including the Daytona 24 Hours from 2002 to 2005.
Which engine does the Picchio CN2 use?
Picchio's current site lists a Honda Type R engine for the CN2 and an Alfa Romeo engine for the CN4. The CN2 Light was presented in 2004 as an FIA-approved Group CN car. Picchio publishes no weight or power figure, so ask the seller for the technical passport.
What is a Picchio P4/E2?
An FIA E2B/E2SC hillclimb prototype introduced in 2010 with a 1,750 cc turbo four on a steel spaceframe with carbon panels. Christian Merli won six of seven races in it. The ex-Merli car was offered on RCN in 2023 with an AER 1750 turbo and a Hewland NMT 6-speed.
How many Picchio prototypes exist?
No official figure. A dealer selling a 2001 SR2 states six examples were built. The racingsportscars archive lists five chassis types from 1998 to 2006 (A001, MB1, GG1, D-USA, DP2). Hillclimb production numbers for CN2 and P4 are not published.
Does Picchio build a TA2 Trans Am chassis?
No source found. Trans Am's TA2 builders in 2025 are Howe Racing Enterprises and Mike Cope Race Cars, and Picchio's own site lists no Trans Am product. Treat any TA2 claim with care until Picchio or the series confirms it.
Can an SR2 run in historic racing?
Yes. A 1999 MB1 has raced in Masters Endurance Legends, the Velocity Invitational and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion since 2019. Picchio says its SRP2 and Daytona Prototype cars are eligible for US historic events.
Sources
- Racing cars, Picchio S.r.l. (2025) — Official model list, engines, classes, drivers credited with wins
- History, Picchio S.r.l. (2025) — 1989 origins with Bizzarrini, Ancarano factory
- Picchio Racing Cars, Wikipedia (2025) — Model timeline, Grand-Am titles, P4/E2 engine, Merli record
- Picchio - All Results, Racing Sports Cars (2025) — Race-by-race results 1998-2006, Le Mans 1998 DNA, Daytona finishes
- PICCHIO P4/FIA E2SC 3000 (Ex Merli), racingcarnetwork.com (2023-03) — P4/E2 price, chassis construction, gearbox, engine, spares
- CIVM: Team Trentino e Picchio P4, HDmotori (2015-03) — 2015 P4 with Alfa DTM 2.5 V6, about 500 hp, Fattorini
- Picchio SR2 - 6 esemplari, AutoScout24 / Mariani auto (2025-11) — SR2 Alfa V6 price, 430 cv, 6 built claim, Hewland NMT
- 1999 Picchio SRP 2, race-cars.com (2023) — MB1 construction, 420 hp Amaroli BMW, FT200, results, 79,900 USD
- 2003 Picchio DP2, Supercars.net (2003) — DP2 specs, 900 kg, dimensions, 375,000 USD price
- 1999 Martini Picchio BMW FIA 3 Liter Sports Racer, Motorsports Market (2025) — FT200 failure, ownership history, historic series eligibility
- Picchio MB1, conceptcarz.com (2015) — Founders, chassis construction, Bizzarrini background
- Campionato velocità montagna: Merli vince allo Spino, Blitz Quotidiano (2011-05) — Merli win in Picchio P4 at 2011 Passo dello Spino
- Two Alfa Romeo 4Cs of 670 hp and 700 hp fight for victory in Italy, Italpassion (2025-08) — Picchio 4C E2SH engines, 820 kg, 2019 and 2021 titles
- Group CN, Wikipedia (2025) — CN capacity limit and minimum weights
- File:Picchio.JPG, Wikimedia Commons (2008) — Image, Picchio Honda at Coppa Carotti 2004
- Picchio - Complete Archive, Racing Sports Cars (2025) — Chassis types A001, MB1, GG1 (Alfa V6), D-USA 1-02, DP2 MC-01
Did you know
- Giotto Bizzarrini, the engineer behind the Ferrari 250 GTO, designed Picchio's first prototype in 1989 211.
- The 1999 Martini-liveried MB1 was repainted Picchio yellow as a US demonstrator, then returned to Martini colours by a Californian owner 10.
- Picchio sold the DP2 Daytona Prototype new for 375,000 USD with a three-year support programme 9.
