Ferrari 750 Monza - 1954

The 750 Monza was a racing car produced by Ferrari from 1954 to 1955 in 31 specimens. The model line, which anticipated the famous "muzzle loader" of the famous 250 GTO, was the work of Dino Ferrari. The construction of the bodies of nearly all the specimens was performed instead by Scaglietti. The engine of the "750 Monza" was derived from the four-cylinder in-line 500 Mondial, but had a larger displacement, more specifically 3 L. This engine was therefore even more powerful than the one mounted on the aforementioned model, with its 260 hp . Said motor also owned a pair conspicuous that, along with the power, gave the model a good competitiveness in the races. The car, compared to the 500 Mondial, however, was heavier (760 kg against 720 kg). The four-cylinder engine in line in question was designed by Aurelio Lampredi. The number of engines Ferrari with this arrangement of cylinders originated in the early fifties, when Enzo Ferrari decided to invest in this type of engines with the intent of replacing the V12 designed by Gioacchino Colombo. Among the reasons that led us to this decision Enzo Ferrari was the highest fuel consumption of V12 compared to the four-cylinder. In addition, the World Championship Formula 1 1952 were applied rules derived from Formula 2, and this gave a strong impetus to the evolution of this type of engine. The first one was developed, a 2 L engine, was successfully mounted on the 500 F2, who won two world titles in Formula 1 (1952 and 1953). This engine was then installed on road cars. Later they were prepared two other four-cylinder engines in line, who had a displacement of 2.5 L and 3 L; were installed on two models of competition, respectively on TF 625 and 735 S. Subsequently, the second type of engine was mounted on the "750 Monza". Further evolution of the four-cylinder in line, which had a displacement of 3.4 L, was then installed on the 860 Monza. The name of the "750 Monza" stemmed from the unit displacement of the engine (ie that related to only one cylinder), which was about 750 cc, and the victory in the race in which the model debuted, which was run in Monza. The "750 Monza" debuted June 27, 1954 at the Grand Prix Supercortemaggiore which took place at the Monza circuit. In this race two copies of the model captured the top two positions. On the top step of the podium went up the couple Umberto Maglioli and Mike Hawthorn, followed by José Froilán Gonzalez and Maurice Trintignant. In the other races of the World Championship Sports Prototypes of 1954 "750 Monza" gave an important contribution to the final victory of the Ferrari. The success was not repeated in the following season, which was the prerogative of the Mercedes-Benz thanks to the victories of the 300 SLR and the "750 Monza", although still competitive, could not be decisive in the conquest of laurel world. The engine was an inline four-cylinder supercharged front and not longitudinal. The bore and stroke were respectively 103 mm and 90 mm, which brought the total displacement to 2999.62 cm³. The compression ratio was 8.6: 1, while the maximum power delivered by the engine was 260 hp at 6000 rpm. The distribution was formed by a double overhead cam head who commanded two valves per cylinder. Power was provided by two carburetors Weber brand and model 58 DCOA/3. The ignition was double, and its facility included two coils. Lubrication was dry sump, while the twin-plate clutch was. The front suspension was independent, and had installed wishbones and a crossbow mounted in the same way; rear were instead formed by a de Dion, twin radius and a transverse leaf top. Both were equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers Houdaille. The brakes were drum brakes on all four wheels, while the steering was worm and sector gear. The tension was back, and the transmission was formed by a five-speed manual transmission plus reverse. The frame was tubular steel. The body was spyder in two places, and it was by Scaglietti.