Ferrari 275 S

Mille Miglia cars

The engine installed on the model was indirectly derived from the V12 designed by Gioachino Colombo at the beginning of his collaboration with Scuderia Ferrari. This engine was not successful in Formula 1 and its development was entrusted to Aurelio Lampredi, who took over from Colombo as designer. The engine was then produced in various displacements and was subject to various evolutions until it reached the 3.3 L version. This last version was intended for the 275 F1, but was tested for the first time as “275 S”. The numerical acronym in the name of the two models was derived from the unit displacement of this engine, i.e. that relating to a single cylinder, which was approximately 275 cm³. Subsequent evolutions of this engine were installed on the 340 America and the 340 MM.

The bodywork, barchetta type, was originally the work of Touring; it was later reassembled by Fontana.

Competitions
The two examples of the “275 S” debuted on April 23, 1950 at the Mille Miglia without success, as they were forced to retire due to problems with the gearbox and tires. The model then also participated in the 1953 and 1954 editions of the famous race, but without obtaining results.

Technical characteristics
The engine was a non-supercharged 60° V12, front and longitudinal. The bore and stroke were 72 mm and 68 mm respectively, which brought the total displacement to 3322.34 cm³. The block and the cylinder head were made of light alloy. The compression ratio was 8:1, while the maximum power delivered by the engine was 270 HP at 7200 rpm.

The distribution was made up of a single overhead camshaft that controlled two valves per cylinder. Power was provided by three Weber carburetors, model 40 DCF. The ignition was single and the relative system included two distributors. Lubrication was wet sump, while the clutch was multi-disc.

The front suspensions were independent and consisted of transverse quadrilaterals as well as leaf springs mounted in the same way; the rear suspensions instead consisted of a rigid axle, longitudinal leaf springs and a stabilizer bar. Both had hydraulic shock absorbers. The brakes were drum brakes on all four wheels, while the steering was a worm screw and toothed sector. The traction was rear, and the transmission consisted of a manual gearbox with five gears plus reverse.

The chassis was tubular steel, while the body was a two-seater spider.

The maximum speed reached by the “275 S” was 240 km/h.