Dino Ferrari
Dino Ferrari, son of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari had a strong influence on the racing successes and the technical innovations of the company. Dino, together with coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti, designed the Ferrari 750 Monza. The racing car was named after the Monza circuit in Italy, where Ferrari had had numerous victories. The car was designed specifically for endurance races such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and the 24 hours of Le Mans.
Technical innovations
The Ferrari 750 Monza Scaglietti is the first racing Ferrari to be fitted with disc brakes. The 3-litre four-cylinder engine, built by Lampredi, was a departure from the typical 12-cylinder engines used by Ferrari at that time. This engine was innovative and efficient, making the car successful in endurance races. It was was also lightweight, which helped its performance on circuits. The designation 750 stood for the cylinder capacity: 750 cc per cylinder.
Racing History
The Ferrari 750 Monza in the Louwman Museum has an extensive racing history. It was driven by some great names in motor racing such as Mike Hawthorn, Maurice Trintignant, Umberto Maglioli and José Froilán Gonzáles. The first race this car was entered in was the ‘Supercortemaggiore’ at Monza, where it finished in second place. In 1954 Ferrari won the World Endurance championship with this car, with drivers Mike Hawthorn and Maurice Trintignant.
24 Hours of Le Mans
In 1955 the car took part in the 24 hours of Le Mans. The race will be remembered mainly because of one of the deadliest accidents in the history of motor racing. After crashing with another car, Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR flew into the crowd, killing 83 spectators. The Ferrari 750 Monza, with drivers Dreyfus and Lucas, had dropped out of the race, shortly before the accident took place.
Unique car
After the tragic death of Dino Ferrari in 1956 this Ferrari Monza went to America where several drivers and owners got to enjoy it. At the end of the 1980s the car was acquired by the Louwman Museum. It was then restored to the condition it was in at the beginning of 1955. It is an absolute masterpiece from Ferrari’s racing history and unique in more ways than one.
Come and see the Ferrari 750 Monza Scaglietti for yourself!
