1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder pictures and wallpaper 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder pictures and wallpaper 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder pictures and wallpaper 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder pictures and wallpaper
1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder pictures and wallpaper 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder pictures and wallpaper 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder pictures and wallpaper

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Series 1
Coachwork: Pininfarina
Chassis Num: 047MD
 
This 1955 Ferrari MMondial 500 Series 1 has been owned since 1994 by Tom Mittler who has driven it in the 1997 Mille Miglia, the 1997 Silverstone International Histroic Festival and the 1998 Eifel-Klassick, Nurburgring. This car is powered by a four-cylinder engine capable of producing 170 horsepower. It has a four-speed manual gearbox and Borrani Wire wheels. It is car number 5 with engine number 0474M.D.
The Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder was produced from 1954 through 1956 with 14 being bodied by Pinin Farina and 16 by Scaglietti. According to many modern collectors, the Pinin Farina bodied 500 is considered to be more valuable and aesthetically pleasing.

There were two series for the 500 Mondial, the Series 1 and Series 2. The Series 1 lasted from 1953 through 1954 with 20 examples being created. During this time Pinin Farina was tasked with providing the coachwork on 14 Berlinettas and Spyders. The designs produced were similar to the 375 MM, produced during the same time. The remaining six examples were bodied by Scaglietti, all in Spyder configurations. These designs were similar to the 750 Monza but instead of a three-liter engine they were equipped with a two-liter unit. In total there were 37 examples of the 750 Monza built in 1954 and 1955, five of which began life as 500 Mondial models.

The Second series was produced in 1955 with Scaglietti outfitting all ten examples in Spyder configuration. This series had a different engine block with larger carburetors and a five speed manual gearbox. Their bodies were slightly modified in comparison to the Series 1.

The 2-liter four-cylinder engine with 2 Weber Carburetors was placed in the front of the vehicle and drove the rear wheels. The 170 horsepower proved its worth by propelling the 1500 pound vehicle to a second place victory in 1954 at the Mille Miglia. A class victory was achieved in 1956 at the 12-Hours of Sebring endurance race.

The famous Ferrari V-12 engine was designed by Gioacchino Colombo which in 1949 had dominated the Formula 2 class. In 1947 Aurelio Lambredi had joined Ferrari and became Colombo's assistant. By the close of the 1940's, Lambredi was tasked by Enzo to design and built a smaller engine that was more fuel-efficient and lighter than the larger 12-cylinder unit. When changes to the World Championship regulations stated that Formula 2 rules would be used, the four-cylinder engine was given a high prioirty.

The engine created by Lambredi was constructed completely of light alloy and double camshaft heads. Two versions of the engine were created, a 2- and a 2.5-liter version. By 1952 the engine was ready and made its debut in the 500 F2 where Alberto Ascari captured the World Championship with six victories out of seven races. A year later, he captured the title again. In honor of the accomplishment, a 2-liter production car was created and dubbed the 500 Mondial.

The four-cylinder engine design would last until 1956, where it was campaigned successfully in a 500 TR, meaning Testa Rossa or Red Head because of its red cylinder heads. In 1957 the four-cylinder engine was replaced by a V6 engine.

1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder

Year1955
MakeFerrari
Model500 Mondial Spyder
Body StyleSeries 1
Engine LocationFront
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Body / ChassisSeparate body on tubular steel frame
Production Years for Series1954 - 1956
Coach WorkPininfarina
Weight720 kg | 1587.6 lbs
Combined MPG0.00
Chassis Range0446 - 0506

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number047MD

Engine  
Engine ConfigurationI
Cylinders4
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement1984.00 cc | 121.1 cu in. | 2 L.
Valves8 valves.
2 valves per cylinder.
ValvetrainDOHC
Horsepower160.00 BHP (117.8 KW) @ 7000.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio9.9 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter80.0 BHP / Liter
Fuel TypeGasoline - Petrol
Fuel FeedCarburetor
2 Weber 40 DCOA/3 carburetors
Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
Gears5
TransmissionManual


 
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