1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
The 250 Testa Rossa was designed for both Scuderia Ferrari and private
entrants. Engine choice was the most critical factor since the Commissione
Sportiva Internazionale (CSI) had limited engine size to 3.0 in an attempt to
slow top speeds. Ferrari had two choices best suited for their new sports car
that were tested in 1957. Both a V6, and a small version of the quad-cam V12
were tried in two special prototypes, but neither of these were chosen.
Instead, the SOHC V12 was used which had already proved its reliability
powering the 250 GT Berlinetta to consecutive Tour de France victories.
Synthesis of the Columbo V12 and
500 TR chassis made up the 250 Testa Rossa underpinnings. These components were
preferred over the complex quad camshaft and dual-ignition solutions found in
the 335 which were also heavier. But, the 250 Testa Rossa was really much more
than the combination of existing engineering. It introduced a design philosophy
that focused on reliability over outright performance. Ferrari wanted to sell
consistent cars that could endure for 24 hours.
At this point is important to
mention the superior factory Testa Rossas which Ferrari ran and distinguish
them from the customer cars which Ferrari sold. After the first few races, it
was apparent to Ferrari that they had to upgrade the Testa Rossa if they were
to win the CSI’s Sports Car Championship. The team cars were upgraded to
include a De Dion rear axle and an all enveloping body.
Both the customer and works Testa
Rossas used the Tipo 128 engine, with 290MM camshafts, high-compression pistons
and larger bearings to produce 300 bhp. Having a single cylinder displacement
of 250cc and bright red valve covers, it’s this potent engine which the car is
named after.
After modifying chassis 0666TR
and 0704TR during the 1957 season with various 250GT, 290MM, 335 or 500TR
parts, a final specification was reached. Ferrari announced the 250 Testa Rossa
at their pre-season press conference held in November 1957. The car was
intended for independent customers who raced at America’s SCCA races and the
CSI’s World Sportscar Championship. As factory involvement was limited to the
larger races, private entrants were left to contend the SCCA and smaller European
events.
The 250 Testa Rossa
had seemingly modest engineering. The drum brakes or 250 engine were indeed old
technology compared to the disc brakes and DOHC setups that were available.
Also, compared other cars of the era, the Testa Rossa chassis was made more
bulky to take on many of the ditches and walls which these cars met. Such throw
backs followed the original design philosophy and helped the Testa Rossas
endure to win many races.
All the customer cars featured a
chassis similar to the 500 TR (Testa Rossa) which retained the live-axle rear
end. Another common feature was the remarkable ‘pontoon’ bodywork designed by
Sergio Scaglietti and his firm at Scaglietti & C. Under the leadership of
Gian Carlo Guerra, the company worked without drawings, instead going straight
to a wire framework. They used a nose similar to the period F1 cars with
cutaway fenders sometimes called sponsons.
The idea was to expose the large
brake drums to aid in cooling. While striking and exciting this shape was
unstable at high speeds. To fix the aerodynamics, Ferrari modified the design
to feature bodywork that was a fully enclosed design.
