1952 Ferrari 250 S

Ferrari produced the 250 series of grand tourer and sports cars from 1953 to 1964. It was the company's most successful early line and helped provide financial stability for the company. The first 250 was an experimental 250 S berlinetta prototype which was entered in the 1952 Mille Miglia and driven by Giovanni Bracco and Alfonso Rolfo. The Colombo-designed V-12 engine offered 227 horsepower which was outclassed by the Mercedes-Benz W194 racers, but its responsive and nimble characteristics made it better suited to attack the curves and hills throughout the course. In the end, it won the race. The car was later entered at Le Mans and in the Carrera Panamericana.

The 250 S rested on an 88.6-inch wheelbase and was comprised of a 'Tuboscocca' tubular trellis frame. In the front was a double wishbone suspension, with double longitudinal semi-elliptic springs locating the live axle at the rear. Drum brakes provided the stopping power and steering was handled by a worm-and-sector setup. The dry-sump 3-liter engine was given three Weber 36DCF carburetors and mated directly to a five-speed manual transmission.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019