1956 Ferrari 290 MM Scaglietti Spider
The 290 MM was produced as a factory competition car
in a transition period for Ferrari. In 1955 little victory was achieved with
the new inline-4 and inline-6 powered cars coming from designer Aurelio
Lampredi. Ferrari had also purchased the entirety of the Lancia Grand Prix team
which and with it, the engineering talents of Vittorio Jano and Andrea
Fraschetti.
Jano and Fraschetti brought V12 back to Ferrari.
Their 130S engine was first used in the 290MM. It combined elements of the
earlier Lampredi and Columbo V12s. With an SOHC roller/rocker valvetrain, twin
spark ignition, and three Weber 40DCF carburetors the power output was good for
320 bhp at 7300.
The chassis of the 290MM was remarkably similar to
the type used in the Ferrari 250. During production of 290, many 250
Berlinettas were successfully competing in events such as the Tour de France.
In 1956, a talented driver, Eugenio Castellotti
would achieve his best year with Ferrari. The highlight of his career came at
the 1956 Mille Miglia. In appalling weather, 290MMs driven by Castellotti and
Fangio were matched with twin, four-pot 860 Monzas. Through the conditions
Castellotti prevailed on won in the event with 290MM chassis 0616.
After 1956, Jano and Fraschetti introduced a DOHC
setup for their V12 and through the years enlarged the capacity. This means
histories of the 290MM, 290S, 315S and 335S intertwine as specific cars were
updated.
