The history of a race car, the Ferrari 750 Monza

The Louwman Museum houses many remarkable objects. In this article we highlight a very special car, the red Ferrari 750 Monza.

The 1954 Ferrari 750 Monza from the collection of the Louwman Museum

The origins of Ferrari as a car brand after the Second World War can be assumed to be well known. It is also well known that one of the things that made Ferrari famous in its early years were the twelve cylinder engines used in its road and racing cars. Although Ferrari's heart lay in racing, selling cars to private customers was essential to finance the Scuderia (the racing team). The twelve cylinder engine, designed by Colombo, met both needs until 1952. In the years before that, Ferraris had been successful in both Grands Prix and sports car races. In addition, sales of road cars were going quite well.

In 1952 new regulations came into force in Formula 1, which stipulated, among other things, that engine capacity could be a maximum of 2000 cc (without supercharger). Ferrari did have a twelve cylinder 2 liter engine, but it was not competitive enough compared to the opposition from, among others, Maserati and British makes, which were running engines with fewer cylinders. It was decided to develop a two liter four cylinder engine. Colombo had meanwhile left for Maserati, so his successor Lampredi had this little job dropped in his lap. Besides the fact that a four cylinder engine has fewer moving parts than a twelve cylinder and should therefore be more reliable, the torque is generally higher. This latter characteristic was seen as ideal for the twisty circuits that were increasingly being used for Grands Prix. Moreover, such an engine is simpler to maintain and to tune.

Lampredis engine was a great success. Ferrari became Formula 1 world champion with a huge margin in 1952 and 1953. In those years the idea arose not only to use the four cylinder engine in Formula 1, but also in long distance races. For the 1954 season the engine capacity for Grands Prix was increased to 2500 cc, and further developing the four cylinder engines to 3000 cc was a realistic option. In sports car races as well, one of the characteristics of a four cylinder engine (high torque) would be very useful on the circuits that were visited.

Thus it came to pass. Lampredi refined the design of the engine. Initially the engine for the new sports car was 2940 cc, but it was soon bored out to the planned 3000 cc. The first race run with the completely new car (and engine) was the Supercortemaggiore at Monza, a prestigious event on the Italian racing calendar. Scuderia Ferrari entered two cars with a three liter engine. Both cars were fitted with a body by Scaglietti, one of which was based on the ideas of Enzo Ferraris much lamented son, Dino. The car on display in the Louwman Museum is this car.

The three liter 4 cylinder engine in the Ferrari 750 Monza

Although the car did not win (only second behind the other works car), this body style was then used on all the other 750 Ferraris. The Ferrari tradition in which the type designation reflects the capacity of one cylinder of the engine was continued (4 times 750 is 3000). In view of the success achieved, the car was subsequently also given the type designation Monza.

Later in the season this car was still entered by the factory, including at the Reims circuit. The idea that the car would only come into its own on twisty circuits was disproved (as if that had not already been shown at Monza). The car was faster than the works Jaguars but lacked the reliability to finish the race in first place.

In September 1954 the factory decided to enter two cars of the new Monza model in the Tourist Trophy, which was held at the Northern Irish circuit of Dundrod. This race was part of the standings for the World Sportscar Championship, in which Ferrari was leading at the time. It was a curious event: the result of the race was based on a handicap system, while the points for the championship were awarded according to the 'real' winner. The main rivals for this championship were Lancia, Jaguar and Aston Martin, all of which had entered works cars. The race was won by the works Monza, driven by Mike Hawthorn and Maurice Trintignant.

Mike Hawthorn in the Ferrari Monza at the Goodwood circuit 1955

Admittedly, they were beaten on handicap by a French DB Panhard, which had been given a 17 lap advantage under the handicap rules! As a result of this victory, the championship was also won by Ferrari and the success of the Monza type was assured. The winning car is the one that can be admired in the Louwman Museum.

All this had the effect that the model was popular with private drivers. Many examples were exported to America. It was also a successful model in Europe, where numerous victories were achieved. The car that had contributed to this popularity was, as often happened at Ferrari, sold to the French racing team Scuderia Los Amigos. The car was entered for the Frenchman Jean Lucas (1917-2003). In the early 1950s Lucas, together with Luigi Chinetti (Le Mans winner and later importer of Ferraris in America), had taken part in Le Mans, of course with the marque from Maranello. He was a friend of the Scuderia, and it was no surprise that Lucas was allowed to buy this car.

In addition, Lucas was team manager for the racing team of Amedee Gordini, a rival of Ferrari in Formula 1 and endurance racing. Such a situation seems unthinkable today! The following incident shows how relaxed things were in Formula 1 at that time. During the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1955, one of Gordini's regular drivers, Robert Manzon, fell ill and was unable to race.

In order not to have to hire a (expensive) driver and still be able to collect the promised starting money (Gordini was always short of cash), Lucas got into the car at the start. It will not surprise anyone that he dropped out, but the starting money was in!

Jean Lucas in the Gordini during the 1956 Italian Grand Prix

One of the first things Lucas had changed on the newly acquired Monza was the brakes. He had the old-fashioned drum brakes replaced with (of course) French disc brakes from the brand Messier, which were even installed in the Ferrari factory! Is this the first racing Ferrari with disc brakes?

In 1955 and the following year the Monza had a fairly busy life. The year 1955 began with a race in Dakar and, once back in Europe, it took part in the major races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The accident that occurred there at the time had a major impact on the number of races that were still held in Europe that year. The Ferrari, incidentally, dropped out of this race due to mechanical problems. Later that year the car (with Lucas at the wheel or not) was entered in the Nassau Speed Week, in Buenos Aires and again in Africa. Back in Europe in 1956, it competed in the somewhat less prestigious sports car races. At the end of 1956 the car, which on the European circuits now had to concede defeat to the Maseratis, was sold to America, where a variety of drivers and owners continued to enjoy it.

In the late eighties the car returned to Europe and was eventually acquired by the Louwman Museum. A thorough restoration has brought the car back to its early 1955 condition, complete with disc brakes!

A car that is unique in more than one way!

Peter Helbach