Photo: Prova MO · CC BY-SA 4.0
Raced1955
EngineInline-6
Power330 PS
Units built4
The Ferrari 735 LM, also known as the 121 LM, was created in 1955 by converting the 376 S and was Ferrari's second race car with a Lampredi inline-six. Its 4.4-liter engine produced 330 PS and was intended to outclass the competition through pure power despite weaker aerodynamics and outdated braking technology—Enzo Ferrari firmly believed in the power of the engine. It was meant for the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race Ferrari had won the previous year with the 375 Plus. In practice, the 735 LM was the fastest, and four units were bodied by Scaglietti.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Good to know
- According to the source, Castellotti set the fastest qualifying lap of all time during practice for Le Mans in 1955: 4 minutes 14 seconds, just one second ahead of Fangio's Mercedes 300 SLR.
- Over the flying kilometer on the Mulsanne Straight, the 735 LM reached 291.2 km/h, the Jaguar D-Type 281.9 km/h.
- None of the three works cars finished at Le Mans: Castellotti and Marzotto retired after 52 laps with engine failure, Maglioli and Hill after 76 laps.
- Following the Le Mans disaster, a 2.5-liter limit was imposed; Ferrari never returned to the inline-six, turning instead to the Dino V6.
Learn moreThe conversion · Engineering · Le Mans 1955
The conversion
The 735 LM was created by converting the 376 S that had contested the 1955 Mille Miglia: the first example was converted before the race, the others afterward. It was intended for Le Mans, which Ferrari had won the previous year with the 375 Plus. In its name, 735 stands for the displacement of a single cylinder, LM for Le Mans; the inherited chassis numbers also ended in "LM." According to the German source, the engine was originally planned as a four-cylinder and was modified to compete against the overwhelming Mercedes-Benz opposition.
Engineering
The Tipo 121 engine had a 102 mm bore and 90 mm stroke, just like the four-cylinder of the 735 S from which it was derived, totaling 4412.49 cm³. Three smaller Weber 50DCOA/3 carburetors produced 330 PS at 5800/min. It featured two spark plugs per cylinder, two overhead camshafts, and dry-sump lubrication, with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. The Tipo 509 tubular frame was identical to that of the 376 S, the fuel tank held 150 liters, and it had drum brakes all around.
Le Mans 1955
Castellotti had previously retired in the Mille Miglia, with sources citing an engine failure and a tire failure, respectively. For Le Mans, the Scuderia entered three cars with numbers 3, 4, and 5 in the "Sport 5.0" category, which also included the Jaguar D-Type, the Lagonda DP-166, and the Cooper T38. The drivers were Maglioli and Phil Hill, Castellotti and Paolo Marzotto, as well as Maurice Trintignant and Harry Schell. Hill and Maglioli drove chassis 0558LM; the two new cars were numbered 0532LM and 0546LM.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 735 LM
When was the Ferrari 735 LM raced?
The Ferrari 735 LM was raced in 1955.
How much power does the Ferrari 735 LM have?
Power of the Ferrari 735 LM: 330 PS.
What engine does the Ferrari 735 LM have?
Engine of the Ferrari 735 LM: 4.4 l (4412 cm³) Tipo 121 Lampredi I6. It is mounted at the front.
How many Ferrari 735 LM were built?
4 units of the Ferrari 735 LM were built.
Who engineered the Ferrari 735 LM?
Engineering of the Ferrari 735 LM: Carrozzeria Scaglietti.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 735 LM?
Predecessor: Ferrari 376 S. Successor: Ferrari 625 LM.
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