Photo: Christine und Hagen Graf from Fitou, France · CC BY 2.0
Raced1947
EngineV12
Top speed210 km/h
Units built2
The 1947 Ferrari 125 S was the first car to bear the Ferrari name; only two units were built. It made its debut on May 11, 1947, at the Piacenza racing circuit. The 1.5-liter V12 came from Gioacchino Colombo and produced 118 PS at 6800 rpm—an engine architecture that most Ferraris of the ensuing decades would share. The number in the name refers to the rounded displacement of a single cylinder. That very same year, the 125 S was superseded by the 159 S.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Good to know
- Two weeks after its debut, the 125 S claimed Ferrari's first victory at the Rome Grand Prix on the Caracalla circuit, once again with Franco Cortese at the wheel.
- Prior to the race in Rome, the car had spun a bearing in practice; it was repaired at Tino Martinoli's shop, who later moved to America with Ferrari's Indy team.
- Historians dispute chassis 010I: according to rumors, it is the re-stamped 01C, and the buyer is said to have immediately recognized the used racing car as a "muletto" (test mule).
- Instead of the four-speed gearbox common at the time, the 125 S was fitted with five speeds to make better use of the high-revving V12.
Learn moreTechnical details · In racing · The 125 C and the replicas
Technical details
Colombo's 60° V12 had a bore and stroke of 55 × 52.5 mm, a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder, and three dual-choke Weber carburetors. Unlike the straight-eight of its predecessor, the engine originated entirely from Ferrari rather than Fiat parts. The tubular steel frame featured double wishbones with a transverse leaf spring up front and a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear; hydraulic drum brakes provided stopping power at all four wheels. The wheelbase measured 2420 mm, and the fuel tank held 75 liters.
In racing
At its Piacenza debut, Cortese put up a strong fight against the formidable Maserati 6CS 1500, but failed to finish. The victory in Rome followed two weeks later. In total, the 125 S won six of fourteen races in 1947. Ironically, the Mille Miglia eluded it: Clemente Biondetti and Giuseppe Navone were unable to take victory in this car.
The 125 C and the replicas
That same year also saw the creation of the 125 C, featuring a different body style with roughly identical mechanics. Of the two cars built, one carried wide Spider coachwork by Touring, while the other featured cycle fenders and a narrow racing body. Sources disagree on their whereabouts: one cites an example in the "Vault," the basement level of the Petersen Automotive Museum in California, while another considers both originals lost. What is certain is that Michelotto built a factory replica in 1987.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 125 S
When was the Ferrari 125 S raced?
The Ferrari 125 S was raced in 1947.
How much power does the Ferrari 125 S have?
Power of the Ferrari 125 S: massima 118 PS bei 6800 /minuto, specifica 78.8 PS/litro.
What engine does the Ferrari 125 S have?
Engine of the Ferrari 125 S: 1.5 l (1497 cm³) Colombo V12. It is mounted at the front.
How fast is the Ferrari 125 S?
Top speed of the Ferrari 125 S: 210 km/h.
How many Ferrari 125 S were built?
2 units of the Ferrari 125 S were built.
Who engineered the Ferrari 125 S?
Engineering of the Ferrari 125 S: Gioacchino Colombo.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 125 S?
Predecessor: Auto Avio Costruzioni 815. Successor: Ferrari 159 S.
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