Ferrari 750 Monza at The ICE St. Moritz

During The ICE at St. Moritz, Switzerland, I have filmed this Ferrari 750 Monza. One of the prettiest Ferrari racers ever is the 750 Monza. The 750 Monza prototype made its debut in 1954 at Monza with an engine based on a development of the Type 555. The 3.0-liter, four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft engine had 250 horsepower and developed strong torque that made for a very competitive car. The 750 Monza took both first and second positions in its inaugural race. It?s hard to believe Ferrari would ever replace the V12, but after the 1950 season in F1, a four cylinder was on the drawing board. Motivation came from HWMs driven by Stirling Moss that were powered by four-cylinder ALTA engines. The performance of this car and the upcoming 2-liter limit on engine capacity influenced both Enzo Ferrari and designer Aurelio Lampredi to make their own four-banger. For the 1951 season, Lampredi was given the task to design a 2.0 and 2.5 four cylinder engines that used the same interchangeable parts. He was convinced that the low rpm torque curve would offer an advantage on twisty circuits. After 100 days, the first prototype engine was complete and ready. It had a DOHC, chain-driven valvetrain, 2 Weber 45 DOE carburettors, a light alloy casting and a displacement of 1985cc that could produce 170 bhp. This combination fit so well within the new rules that Ferrari and Alberto Ascari became world champions. Ferrari sports racers of the early 1950s are most often associated with small displacement V-12 engines so it is a surprise to many that Ferrari went the way of the four cylinder. The success of Maranello?s four-cylinder Formula 1 engine program in 1952 and 1953 was the driver and ensured their use carried over to sports cars in 1953. While Aurelio Lampredi?s engine may not have the resonance, power or noise of the Colombo V12, it deserves to be similarly revered. From the 625 TF to the 500 TRC, these svelte sports racers were a sensation adored by A-list racers and aesthetes alike. Of them all, and we are including the original Mondial in that. By 1954, Ferrari decided to enlarge the design to 3-liters for the 750 Monza. The 750 Monza Spider became the pinnacle of the four-cylinder Ferraris. The three-liter version of Lampredi?s inline four-cylinder engine had twin gear-driven overhead camshafts and was notable for its cylinder liners screwed into the cylinder head. In this form it developed 250 bhp at 6,000 rpm, an output channelled to the road via a four-speed transaxle. Achingly gorgeous, the body was built by Scaglietti from an original design penned by Enzo?s son Dino. Designed to be light and nimble, it was powered by a four-cylinder engine, allowing it to successfully compete with more powerful and heavier sports racers of the period. The Monza used a 3.0-liter, four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft engine fed by a pair of Weber 58DCOA3 carburetors, producing an impressive 250 horsepower. Top speed was said to be 265 km/h (164 MPH), and to improve weight distribution, the car used a five-speed transaxle instead of a conventional transmission. Though perhaps counter-intuitive, four-cylinder engines of a similar displacement can offer advantages over V-12s in the form of greater low-end torque, lower weight and reduced complexity, which in racing tends to deliver greater reliability. The independent front suspension featured double wishbones, a transverse leaf spring and hydraulic dampers, while the rear used a DeDion tube, transverse leaf spring and hydraulic damper setup. The coil-and-wishbone front suspension and de Dion rear axle made the car nimble. Al?n hydraulic drum brakes, still the standard of the day, were used in all four corners. The car was also a lightweight at only 1500 lbs. The lighter engine helped as did things like the tubular steel frame, made by Gilco, and aluminium skin panels. With its light weight and nimbleness the 750 Monza successfully competed with more powerful sports racers. With a curb weight of 1,650 pounds, the 750 was over 200 pounds lighter than Ferrari?s own V12 racers. The 750 ?rst appeared as a prototype in 1954. The first 750 Monzas arrived in 1954 and debuted at the ?Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore? at Monza where Gonzales/Trintignant took an overall victory. The model acquired its Monza moniker after that maiden victory in its ?rst race at the eponymous circuit.. The most notable of the 750 Monza?s other victories was the 1954 Tourist Trophy. By 1956, Ferrari had reached the potential of the 4-cylinder by enlarging it even more for the 860 Monza. This helped the car achieve a 1-2 victory at the Sebring 12-Hours. Join my Notification Squad: click the Bell ? Make sure you like and comment the video, but also subscribe to the channel! *Michael - Automotive Mike* Socials: ?? https://www.facebook.com/AutomotiveMike ?? https://www.instagram.com/automotive_mike