1954 Ferrari 750 Monza
By 1954, Ferrari had already used four-cylinder
engines for three years, but decided to enlarge the design to 3-liters for the
750 Monza. It typcially raced alongside the smaller 2-liter 500 Mondial and the
V12-powered Ferraris which ran for overall victory.
It’s hard to believe Ferrari would ever replace the
V12, but after the 1950 season in F1, a four cylinder was on the drawing board.
Motivation came from HWMs driven by Stirling Moss that were powered by
four-cylinder ALTA engines. The performance of this car and the upcoming
2-liter limit on engine capacity was influenced both Enzo Ferrari and designer
Aurelio Lampredi to make their own four-banger.
For the 1951 season, Lampredi was given a the task
to design a 2.0 and 2.5 four cylinder engines that used the same
interchangeable parts. He was convinced that the low rpm torque curve would
offer an advantage on twisty circuits. After 100 days, the first prototype
engine was complete and ready. It had a DOHC, chain-driven valvetrain, 2 Weber
45 DOE carburettors, a light alloy casting and a displacement of 1985 cc that
could produce 170 bhp. This combination fit so well within the new Formula 2
rules that Ferrari and Alberto Ascari became world champions.
The first 750 Monzas arrived in 1954 with with
Ferrari’s conventional steel tube chassis, using fully independent double
wishbones up front and a De Dion axle with radius rods and transverse leaf
springs at the rear. Braking was provided by oversize drums. They debuted at the
‘Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore’ at Monza where Gonzales/Trintignant took an
overall victory. Afterwards the 3.0-liter became known as the Monza.
