|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Ferrari 750 Monza was campaigned up to the 1960's and was driven by many famous drivers including Collins, Gregory, McAfee, Bates, and Washburn.
The 750 Monza sits atop an 88-inch wheelbase and welded tubular steel chassis. Its body is constructed of aluminum and the interior is just large enough to accommodate an average size adult. Under the hood is a Lampredi-designed, 3-liter four-cylinder engine with two Weber 58 DCO/A3 twin-choke sidedraft carbs is capable of producing 260 horsepower. The suspension is independent with unequal-length A-arm and transverse leaf-spring in the front. The rear is a de Dion axle-beam, transverse leaf and parallel trailing-arms. The ride is stiff but able to attack corners at very high speeds. The brakes are aluminum drums that provide ample stopping power. The steering is responsive with four turns lock to lock.
Ferrari's V-12 engines had dominated the Formula 2 class in 1949. Enzo also realized the benefits of using a smaller engine, such as less fuel consumption and a decrease in weight. He instructed Lampredi to design a four cylinder engine that could potentially replace the Colombo designed V12. This project was given a low priority until the regulations for the World Championship changes switched to those of Formula 2.
In 1952 a Lampredi developed 2-liter, alloy engine was introduced and fitted in a 500 F2. The vehicle driven by Ascari captured the World Championship and again the following year. A 2.5 liter version was created for the 625 TF and a 3 liter version for the 735 S in 1953. The three liter model was debuted at the Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore at Monza where it emerged victorious. To commemorate this historic accomplishment, the vehicle was dubbed the 750 Monza.
Production lasted from 1954 through 1955 during with just over 30 examples were created. The design was courteous of Dino Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari's son. This was one of the few Ferrari's to be outfitted with a 4-cylinder engine and one of the last.
The 750 Monza sits atop an 88-inch wheelbase and welded tubular steel chassis. Its body is constructed of aluminum and the interior is just large enough to accommodate an average size adult. Under the hood is a Lampredi-designed, 3-liter four-cylinder engine with two Weber 58 DCO/A3 twin-choke sidedraft carbs is capable of producing 260 horsepower. The suspension is independent with unequal-length A-arm and transverse leaf-spring in the front. The rear is a de Dion axle-beam, transverse leaf and parallel trailing-arms. The ride is stiff but able to attack corners at very high speeds. The brakes are aluminum drums that provide ample stopping power. The steering is responsive with four turns lock to lock.
Ferrari's V-12 engines had dominated the Formula 2 class in 1949. Enzo also realized the benefits of using a smaller engine, such as less fuel consumption and a decrease in weight. He instructed Lampredi to design a four cylinder engine that could potentially replace the Colombo designed V12. This project was given a low priority until the regulations for the World Championship changes switched to those of Formula 2.
In 1952 a Lampredi developed 2-liter, alloy engine was introduced and fitted in a 500 F2. The vehicle driven by Ascari captured the World Championship and again the following year. A 2.5 liter version was created for the 625 TF and a 3 liter version for the 735 S in 1953. The three liter model was debuted at the Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore at Monza where it emerged victorious. To commemorate this historic accomplishment, the vehicle was dubbed the 750 Monza.
Production lasted from 1954 through 1955 during with just over 30 examples were created. The design was courteous of Dino Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari's son. This was one of the few Ferrari's to be outfitted with a 4-cylinder engine and one of the last.
 |  | View more photos Chassis Num: 0502M |
In 1954, Ferrari introduced the 750 Monza, named for the town of its first racetrack victory. Also, in 1954 Ferrari earned the World Sportscar Championship with another model. Ferrari worked feverishly to develop a car that could compete with these cars of the legendary Mercedes-Benz team. Although, the Monza was fierce on the track, it was no match in 1955 for the Mercedes 300 SLR (the roadster version of the Mercedes 300SL).
Competition between these two legendary auto makers was no less intense in auto racing culture of sunny California in the late 1950's. Indeed, this particular Monza encountered its fair share of Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupes on the tracks at Paramount Ranch and Pebble Beach.
A major figure in the California racing scene, William Doheny, ordered this 750 Monza Spyder without the distinctive Monza headrest. He was reluctant to attract the attention of police when he drove it on the street between races.
The original paint was blue with white stripes. Auto racing legend, Ernie McAfee was the original driver employed by Doheny to race this car until McAfee was killed while racing another of Doheny's Ferraris at Pebble Beach in 1957.
At one point in its history, this car had a V8 Chevrolet engine. The most recent restoration was completed in 2003 by Sport Auto Modena in Italy.
Show Results For the 1955 Ferrari Monza, Chassis no. 0502M
• 2003 Radnor Hunt, Chairman's Award.
• 2004 Cavallino Classic, Outstanding 4 Cylinder car.
• 2004 Amelia Island Concours, Spirit of Ferrari Award.
• 2004 Greenwich Concours, Best Italian Sports/Competition car 1945-1957.
• 2004 Reading Concours, Best of Show.
• 2004 Hartford Concours, Best of Show.
• 2005 Cavallino Classic, Outstanding 4 Cylinder Car.
• 2005 Palm Beach Jet Aviation Center, Bella Macchina Cup Outstanding Ferrari Present.
• 2006 Radnor Hunt, Best Historica Post war Sports Racing Car.
0502M featured in the following publications:
• Ferrari Road and Racing, Winston Goodfellow.
• Triumph and Tragedy, The 1955 World Sports Car Season, Yves Kalterbach.
• American Sports Car Racing in the 1950's, Lynch, Edgar and Parravano.
• The Fabulous Fifties, Sports Car Races in Southern California, Art Evans.
• Feature article in FORZA magazine 2003
In 2007 the car was brought to the Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $1,400,000-$1,800,000. It is a well-known vehicle, originally driven by Ernie McAfee, and was one of the most successful competitor on the West Coast. It won eight straight races consecutively. It is powered by a four-cylinder engine with twin choke Weber 58 DCOA/3 carburetors and capable of producing 260 horsepower. There is a five-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes with cooling fins.
It was treated to a restoration which was completed in June of 2003 and has since participated in numerous events and shows. It was awarded 'Outstanding 4 Cylinder' at the 2004 and 2005 Cavallino Classic. It was one of 80 vintage Ferrari's invited by the Ferrari factory to participate in the 60th Anniversary Concours in Maranello, Italy.
On auction day this brilliant vehicle crossed the auction block as one of hte many highlights of the event. Its estimated value held true, as a buyer was found and the lot was sold for $1,540,000 including buyer's premium.
 |  | View more photos Chassis Num: 0492M Engine Num: 0492M |
The 750 Monza cars were pitted against historically significant cars such as the Mercedes-Benz 300SLRs, Jaguar D-Types, and Aston Martin DB3S. This particular example was on display at the International European Motor Show, the Brussels Salon, in 1955. It was delivered to Belgian importer Jacques Swaters in Brussels on January 11th of 1955. After being on display, it was sent back to the factory and later sold for export to American importer Luigi Chinetti in New York. Upon arrival, it was sent to the west coast dealer, John von Neumann, of Los Angeles California. Neumann drove this car at the Bakersfield Circuit on April 30th of 1955 and managed a second place finish. On May 30th was raced at Santa Barbara by Neumann where it failed to finish. The cars first victory came a short time later at Santa Rosa.
On July 10th, von Neumann and Phil HIll piloted this car at the Torrey Pines race to a second place finish. Hill drove this car on September 3rd at Santa Barbara to a 2nd place finish. On November 13th, at Glendale, von Neumann drove 0429M to a victory.
In 1956, von Neumann sold the car Harrison Evans who promptly raced the car at Palm Springs on February 26th. The car finished fourth. At Santa Barbara on March 17th, the car placed 3rd. Throughout the 1956 season, the car was successfully campaigned by Mr. Evans.
At the close of the season, the car was put up for sale for $7000. There was little interest in the car, and it was re-advertised in 1957. It was purchased by Stanley Kramer Productions of Hollywood, California who either sold or leased the car to the Twentieth Century Fox movie studio for the movie 'On the Beach', starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire.
After the cars starring role in the film, it was returned to Chinetti Motors in New York who then stored the car for many years. Around 1968, it was sold to Jim Sokalski of California. The car later passed into the possession of Lee Troxel of Pacific Palisades, CA. From then, it passed through ownership throughout the years, even becoming a museum exhibit for a number of years.
It was shown at the Wiesbaden Ferrari meeting on May 1993 and later at the Auto Becker 'Ferrari Days' event in Dusseldorf in 1994. It was show at the 30th annual Essen Motor Show in Germany in 1997.
This car was offered for sale at the 2006 Bonhams & Butterfields auction held at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California where it was estimated to sell between $750,000 - $1,000,000. At auction, this car aroused much interest, and the winning bid was driven higher than the estimated value. It was sold for $1,107,000.
1955 Ferrari 750 Monza |
|
| Year | 1955 |
| Make | Ferrari |
| Model | 750 Monza |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Weight | 760 kg | 1675.8 lbs |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 0492M |
| Engine Number | 0492M |
| Chassis Number | 0502M |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | S |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 183.00 CU IN. | 2999.4 cc. | 3 L. |
| Valves | 8 valves. 2 valves per cylinder. |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Horsepower | 250.00 BHP (184 KW) @ 6000.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 6.7 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 83.3 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2:1 |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 5 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Other models by Ferrari |
| View Specifications |
 |
| Vehicle Ratings | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Rate the Vehicle | ||||||||||
| Add Review |
| 1955 Ferrari models |
| 121 LM |
| 250 Europa GT |
| 250 Europa GT TdF |
| 375 America Pinin Farina Coupe Speciale |
| 375 Mille Miglia PF Speciale |
| 500 Mondial Spyder |
| Other Model Years |
| 1954 750 Monza |
| Recent Vehicle News | ||
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Conceptcarz.com
| Site Map
| Contact
| Terms Of Use | Links | RSS
| Top
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com