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Ferrari 250 Monza

Ferrari 250 Monza (1954)

Photo: Marty B from United States of America · CC BY-SA 2.0

Raced1954
EngineV12
Power240 PS
Units built4
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The 1954 Ferrari 250 Monza was a hybrid creature: Ferrari installed the 3.0-liter Colombo V12 into an extended chassis of the four-cylinder racing cars. Enzo Ferrari wanted to keep his beloved V12 in racing, even though inline-fours delivered more low-end torque and the V12 only pulled ahead at high revs and in top-end power. Only four such hybrids were built, three with Pinin Farina coachwork and one as a Scaglietti Spyder. Why Ferrari built the model remains largely unclear, and in competition it remained rare.

Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.

Good to know

  • Why Ferrari built the model at all remains largely unclear; some sources view it as an attempt to have an alternative for high-speed circuits like Monza.
  • Chassis 0432M was the May 1954 prototype with a Type 117 engine; Luigi Piotti bought it for 3.5 million lire, and it was later offered as the "Ferrari Super Monza".
  • Works car 0420M won its first race and was subsequently sold at the Amsterdam Motor Show to Hans Maasland from the Netherlands.
  • The Scaglietti Spyder 0442M was auctioned by RM in 2002 for 1.7 million US dollars; another Monza was offered for sale unrestored for 5 million euros.
Learn moreBackground · The four cars · Subsequent fates

Background

Following the ongoing successes of the inline-fours in Formula 1, Ferrari also deployed them in sports cars. Enzo Ferrari was unhappy about replacing his smaller V12 racing cars and wanted to preserve his beloved engine. The four-cylinders delivered superior torque at low revs, while the V12 was superior at high revs and in peak output. As an open alternative to the 250 MM and the 750 Monza, the 250 Monza failed to achieve rapid success; therefore, Ferrari concentrated on the four-cylinders and the upcoming inline-sixes.

The four cars

Three cars received aluminum coachwork by Pinin Farina styled after the 500 Mondial roadster, featuring a hood scoop for centrally mounted carburetors. The fourth chassis received a Scaglietti Spyder in the style of the 750 Monza, designed by Alfredo Ferrari. One car remained with the factory, while the other three went to Franco Cornacchia of Scuderia Guastalla. Around 1957, 0432M received new pontoon-fender bodywork, considered a precursor to the body of the 1958 250 Testa Rossa.

Subsequent fates

0420M was damaged during the second heat at Zandvoort and received new Pinin Farina coachwork at the factory; in 1955, it was owned by Hans Tak. Following the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, 0442M went to Mercedes dealer Manfredo Lippmann from Guatemala, who intended to enter it in the 12 Hours of Sebring, but damaged the car before the race. 0466M was sold new to Cornacchia.

Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.

Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 250 Monza

When was the Ferrari 250 Monza raced?

The Ferrari 250 Monza was raced in 1954.

How much power does the Ferrari 250 Monza have?

Power of the Ferrari 250 Monza: 240 PS.

What engine does the Ferrari 250 Monza have?

Engine of the Ferrari 250 Monza: 3.0 l (2953 cm³) Tipo 107 Colombo V12. It is mounted at the front.

How many Ferrari 250 Monza were built?

4 units of the Ferrari 250 Monza were built.

Who engineered the Ferrari 250 Monza?

Engineering of the Ferrari 250 Monza: Pinin Farina; Scaglietti.

What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 250 Monza?

Predecessor: Ferrari 250 MM. Successor: Ferrari 857 S; Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.

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