Difference between revisions of "Ferrari 750 Monza"

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{{Infobox Automobile
 
|name=Ferrari Monza
 
|aka=Ferrari TF<br>Ferrari Mondial
 
|manufacturer=[[Ferrari]]
 
|production=1953–1957
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship]]
 
|engine=''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine#I4|Lampredi]] [[straight-4|I4]]
 
|predecessor=[[Ferrari 250#250 MM|Ferrari 250 MM]]
 
|successor=[[Ferrari TR|Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa]]
 
}}
 
In the early 1950s, [[Ferrari]] shifted from using the compact [[Gioacchino Colombo]]-designed [[V12 engine]] in its smallest class of sports racers to a line of [[straight-4|four cylinder]] engines designed by [[Aurelio Lampredi]].  Inspired by the success of the light and reliable 2.5 L [[Ferrari 553 F1|553 F1]] car, the four cylinder sports racers competed successfully through the late 1950s, culminating with the famed 500 Mondial and 750 Monza.
 
  
One important stylistic difference between most four-cylinder Ferraris is that they lacked the hood scoops common on V12 models.  The V12 cars used [[carburettor|downdraft carburettors]] located centrally in the "valley" of the engine, while the inline-engined fours used side-draft units and thus did not need the hood scoops.
 
 
==1953==
 
1953 was a breakout year for Ferrari, beginning with the new [[World Sportscar Championship]] series.  The company augmented their traditional V12-powered [[Ferrari 250#250 MM|250 MM]] with the new [[Ferrari MM#340 MM|340 MM]] and [[Ferrari MM#375 MM|375 MM]] and introduced the new four-cylinder 625 TF and 735 S models.  With this profusion of cars, Ferrari was able to sweep the first running of the sportscar championship.
 
===625 TF===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 625 TF
 
|production=1953
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship|WSC racer]]
 
|predecessor=[[Ferrari 250#250 MM|Ferrari 250 MM]]
 
|successor=[[#500 Mondial|Ferrari 500 Mondial]]
 
|engine=2.5 L (2498 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
The first four-cylinder closed-wheel sports racer from Ferrari was the '''625 TF''' of 1953.  Resembling the Vignale-designed [[Ferrari 250#250 MM|250 MM]] barchetta in most respects, the 625 TF used a 2.5 L (2498 cc/152 in³) straight-4 lifted from the [[Ferrari 625 F1|625 F1]] car instead of the 250's 3.0 L V12.  It was a small car, with the same 2250 mm (89 in) wheelbase as the 250 but even lighter at 730 kg (1610 lb).  The engine produced 220 hp (164 kW) at 7000 rpm and could push the little roadster to over 240 km/h (150 mph).
 
 
The lightweight car debuted at the hands of [[Mike Hawthorn]] at [[Monza]] on [[June 29]], 1953.  Although it could not keep up on the long straights at that track, Hawthorn still brought the car to fourth place at its debut.
 
 
A single closed 625 TF coupe, one of the last Ferraris designed and built by Vignale, was created in the Spring of 1953.
 
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===735 S===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 735 S
 
|production=1953
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship|WSC racer]]
 
|predecessor=[[Ferrari 250#250 MM|Ferrari 250 MM]]
 
|successor=[[#750 Monza|Ferrari 750 Monza]]
 
|engine=2.9 L (2942 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
The same day that the 625 TF debuted, another car was fielded for [[Alberto Ascari]].  Sporting an enlarged 2.9 L (2942 cc/179 in³) engine, Ascari's '''735 S''' was more capable at Monza, leading the race until he collided with a 250 MM.  The 735 S was a barchetta bodied by [[Carrozzeria Autodromo]] with recessed headlights, a drooping grille, and fender vents.
 
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==1954-1955==
 
The 1954 and 1955 seasons were the heyday of the four-cylinder Ferrari sports racer.  The company hit its stride, earning the [[World Sportscar Championship]] in 1954 and contending in 1955 despite the legendary [[Mercedes-Benz]] team.  The Ferrari sports car lineup at the beginning of 1954 was made up of the 2.0 L 500 Mondial and 3.0 L 750 Monza.  The team replaced the Mondial with the 500 TR later that year, and feverishly worked to hold off Mercedes-Benz, developing the larger 857 S and six-cylinder [[Ferrari 118 LM|118 LM]] and [[Ferrari 121 LM|121 LM]].  The planned V12 sports racer family, including the 250 Monza of 1954 and planned [[Ferrari 410 S|410 S]] of 1955, were less notable.
 
===500 Mondial===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 500 Mondial
 
|production=1954
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship|WSC racer]]
 
|predecessor=[[#625 TF|Ferrari 625 TF]]
 
|successor=[[#500 TR|Ferrari 500 TR]]
 
|engine=2.0 L (1985 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
The early experiments with Lampredi's four-cylinder engine led to the creation of the famed '''500 Mondial'''.  Named to mark the world ("Mondial") championships won by [[Alberto Ascari]], the 500 Mondial featured a 2.0 L version of Lampredi's four cylinder engine in a small and light body with an advanced suspension.  The car debuted on [[December 20]], 1953 at the [[12 Hours of Casablanca]] driven by Ascari and [[Gianluigi Villoresi]], placing second to a [[Ferrari 375 MM|375 MM]].
 
 
The 500 Mondial's 2.0 L (1985 cc/121 in³) engine was taken from the [[Ferrari 500 F2|500 F2]] which won the world championship but was detuned to produce 170 hp (127 kW).  It was extremely light at 720 kg (1590 lb) and handled well with a modern [[de Dion tube]] rear suspension.
 
 
The first 500 Mondials were coupes bodied by [[Carrozzeria Scaglietti]], but [[Pinin Farina]] later created a series of barchettas.  The Mondial remained competitive through the end of the decade, including an entry in the 1957 Mille Miglia.
 
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===750 Monza===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 750 Monza
 
|production=1954
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship|WSC racer]]
 
|predecessor=[[#735 S|Ferrari 735 S]]
 
|successor=[[#857 S|Ferrari 857 S]]
 
|engine=3.0 L (3000 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
1954 saw the introduction of a new four cylinder sports racer, the '''750 Monza'''.  Sporting a three litre version of the 500 Mondial's engine, the Monza was much more powerful, with 250 hp (186 kW) available, but barely heavier at 760 kg (1675 lb).  The new-style body was penned by Pinin Farina and presaged the droop-nose look of the famed [[Ferrari 250 GTO|250 GTO]], but it was Scaglietti's 750 Monza, with its faired-in headrest suggesting the flowing [[Ferrari Testa Rossa|Testa Rossa]] that drew attention.
 
 
Mike Hawthorn and [[Umberto Maglioli]] piloted their 750 Monza to victory at Monza
 
on its very first race, giving the car its name.  Although they were strong on the track, the Monza was unable to hold off the [[Mercedes-Benz]] [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR|300 SLR]] in 1955, allowing the Germans to seize the sports car championship that Ferrari claimed in 1954.
 
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===250 Monza===
 
:''See also [[Ferrari 250]]''
 
The 750 Monza body was mated to the 3.0 L V12 to create the '''250 Monza''' of 1954.  This combination was not pursued, however.
 
 
===500 TR===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 500 TR
 
|production=1954
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship|WSC racer]]
 
|predecessor=[[#500 Mondial|Ferrari 500 Mondial]]
 
|successor=[[#860 Monza|Ferrari 860 Monza]]
 
|engine=2.0 L (1985 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
As the 750 was introduced in 1954, the smaller 500 Mondial was replaced by another two liter car, the '''500 TR'''.  The first car to bear the famed [[Ferrari TR|Testa Rossa]] name, the 500 TR differed from the Mondial in many details.  Among the most important was a [[coil spring]] suspension, a radical departure for Ferrari, as well as a synchronized transmission with a two-disc clutch.  The 500 TR continued its predecessors tradition of light weight, coming in at just 680 kg (1500 lb), and this combined with the engine's 190 hp (142 kW) to bring stirring performance to the car.
 
 
Scaglietti built most of the 500 TRs, with three also constructed by [[Carrozzeria Touring]], and the design aped the 750 Monza including the faired-in headrest.
 
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===857 S===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 857 S
 
|production=1955
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship|WSC racer]]
 
|predecessor=[[#750 Monza|Ferrari 750 Monza]]
 
|successor=[[#860 Monza|Ferrari 860 Monza]]
 
|engine=3.4 L (3421 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
The short-lived '''857 S''' of 1955 was an attempt to hold off the strong [[Mercedes-Benz]] team, something the 750 Monza and [[Ferrari 118 LM|118 LM]]/[[Ferrari 121 LM|121 LM]] were unable to do.  An existing 750 Monza chassis received an enlarged version of Lampredi's four, now displacing 3.4 L (3421 cc/208 in³) and producing 280 hp (209 kW).  The car was not competitive with the German team at the 1955 [[Tourist Trophy]], so Lampredi went back to the drawing board for the next season.
 
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==1956==
 
With Mercedes-Benz pulling out of international sports car racing, the 860 Monza and new [[Ferrari 290 MM|290 MM]] showed well throughout 1956, bringing the sports car world championship home to Mondena again.  This despite the fact that [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]]'s new [[Jaguar D-Type|D-Type]] took the crown at the newly-restricted Le Mans and [[Maserati]]'s [[Maserati 300|300 S]] took the [[Nürburgring]] race.
 
 
===860 Monza===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 860 Monza
 
|production=1956
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship|WSC racer]]
 
|predecessor=[[#857 S|Ferrari 857 S]]
 
|successor=[[Ferrari TR#250 Testa Rossa|Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa]]
 
|engine=3.4 L (3432 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
Although little changed on paper from the 857 S, the 1956 '''860 Monza''' was much more competitive in international sports car racing.  The engine was reworked with 102 mm (4 in) by 105 mm (4.1 in) dimensions for a total of 3.4 L (3432 cc/209 in³), though power output remained at 280 hp (209 kW).  The wheelbase was lengthened by 100 mm (3.9 in) to 2350 mm (93 in), but a new front [[coil spring]] suspension, as on the 500 TR, allowed the 100 kg (220 lb) heavier car to handle well.
 
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===625 LM===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 625 LM
 
|production=1956
 
|class=[[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans prototype]]
 
|predecessor=[[Ferrari 121 LM]]
 
|successor=[[Ferrari 335 S]]<br>[[Ferrari TR|Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa]]
 
|engine=2.5 L (2498 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
After the [[1955 Le Mans disaster]], the [[Automobile Club de l'Ouest|ACO]] reduced engine size and restricted prototype entries for the 1956 [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] to control the speed and danger of the race.  Ferrari could not enter its 1956 3.4 L [[#860 Monza|860 Monza]] and 3.5 L [[Ferrari 290 MM|290 MM]] in race, so it instead modified three 500 TR barchettas to take the larger 2.5 L engine, and entered them as the '''625 LM'''.  The engine was only slightly modified from the [[Ferrari 625 F1|625 F1]] with compression reduced to 9:1 and two Weber 42DCOA carburettors used.  Of the three, only the car of [[Olivier Gendebien|Gendebien]]/[[Maurice Trintignant|Trintignant]] finished, placing third to the new [[Jaguar D-Type]].
 
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==1957==
 
Ferrari handed off the four-cylinder sports racer line to customers at the end of 1956, choosing to focus on its own attention on the V12-powered [[Ferrari MM|312 and 335 S cars]].
 
===500 TRC===
 
{{Infobox Automobile generation
 
|name=Ferrari 500 TRC
 
|production=1957
 
|class=[[World Sportscar Championship|WSC racer]]
 
|predecessor=[[#500 TR|Ferrari 500 TR]]
 
|successor=
 
|engine=2.0 L (1985 cc) ''[[Ferrari Lampredi engine|Lampredi]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]]
 
}}
 
The 1956/7 '''500 TRC''' was a massaged version of the successful 500 TR of the previous year.  In keeping with the new C-section regulations, Ferrari widened the cockpit, added doors, fitted a windscreen, and even added a stowable convertible top.  It rode on the longer 2350 mm (93 in) wheelbase of the 860 Monza and featured coil springs all around, though the live axle in the rear was retained rather than the more modern de Dion tube.  The 680 kg (1500 lb) car's 190 hp (142 kW) made it quite capable, and even though it was never a works car, a 500 TRC claimed a class win at the 1958 [[Targa Florio]].
 
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[[Category:Ferrari vehicles|Monza]]
 

Revision as of 13:12, 17 January 2007