Designer: Scaglietti
Chassis #: 0546 LM
The four-cylinder engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi and Enzo Ferrari was proved quite successful in the early 1950s and later evolved into a straight-six, starting with the Type 114. This eventually led to the 121 LM. With its 4412cc displacement size, it offered more horsepower and torque than its predecessors. The engine was given three side-draft Weber carburetors and produced 360 horsepower. This example is chassis number 0546 LM which was originally built as a 118 LM and later converted by the factory to 121 LM specification. It is one of two examples upgraded from 118 LM specifications (the other being 0484 LM), and the third of four total 121 LMs constructed.The first outing for 0546 LM was at the 1955 Mille Miglia. It started three minutes and three entries behind Sir Stirling Moss and Dennis Jenkinson, who would race to overall victory in record time just over 10 hours later. 0546 LM was driven by Italian privateer Paolo Marzotto as a Scuderia Ferrari Works entry. During the first stage, while traveling at 174 mph, a tire blew, retiring the car prematurely from the race. It was then shipped back to the factory where it was upgraded to 121 LM specification.
0546 LM was one of the trio of 121 LMs that raced at the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, piloted by Maurice Trintignant and Harry Shell. A sister car driven by Eugenio Castellotti was driven to the fastest lap time in practice and achieved a top speed of 181.15 mph on the straights. Despite their speed, reliability proved to be an issue and the car was forced to retire in the 10th hour with engine problems.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2017
1955 Ferrari 121 LM
Ferrari
2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $6,500,000-USD $7,500,000
Sale Price :
USD $5,720,000
Recent Sales of the Ferrari 121 LM
(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
1955 Ferrari 121 LM Spider by Scaglietti Chassis#: 0546 LM Sold for USD$5,720,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
Ferrari 121 LMs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1955 Ferrari 121 LM's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1955 Ferrari 4.4-litre 121LM | 0558 LM | 2008 The Palace Hotel, Gstaad, Switzerland | $4,700,000 | $6,600,000 |
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1955 Ferrari 121 LM
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