1952 Ferrari 375 Indianapolis

This single-seater was built to race in the Indy 500 and the Ferrari technical staff had worked hard to reduce certain settings to comply with the rules for that race. Ascari drove it well on its track debut but even his considerable skills could not make up for the single-seater’s lack of top speed and acceleration. The result was that it was fitted with four-choke carburettors, which combined with a ram-effect air intake on the bonnet, really did help boost its performance.

Some F1 single-seaters were modified (extended wheel base and engine with 4400 cc cylinder capacity) to have a go at the Indianapolis adventure. One car was assigned to Alberto Ascari for the 500 Mile race in 1952, which explains his absence from the Swiss GP on 18 May (won by Taruffi), because he was busy with the qualification trials for the American race.

Competing with the American cars, with a rougher design but perfectly suited to this type of race, was disappointing because Ascari had to withdraw with a broken wheel and the other cars, purchased by American drivers, failed to qualify

– Il disegno riproduce la Ferrari 375 Indianapolis con la quale Alberto Ascari disputo, ritirandosi, la 500 Miglia di Indianapolis il 30 maggio 1952.
– Dati principali: 12 V 60°, 4382,00 cm3, 400 CV. Passo 2350 mm.
– Disegno fatto nel 2005.

Specifications

Engine

Type…………………………front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke……………….79 x 74.5 mm
Unitary displacement…365.17 cc
Total displacement…….4382.09 cc
Compression ratio………13 : 1
Maximum power………..279 kW (380 hp) at 7500 rpm
Power per litre……………87 hp/l
Maximum torque……….
Valve actuation………….single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinderr
Fuel feed……………………three Weber 40 IF4C carburettors
Ignition…………………….twin spark plugs per cylinder, twin magnetos
Lubrication……………….dry sump
Clutch………………………multi-plate

Chassis

Frame……………….tubular steel
Front suspension….independent, unequal-length wishbones, lower transverse leaf spring, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear suspension…..de Dion, lower transverse leaf spring, twin radius arms,Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers
Brakes……………….drums
Transmission……..4-speed + reverse
Steering……………..worm and sector
Fuel tank……………capacity 195 litres
Front tyres………….6.00 x 16
Rear tyres…………..7.50 x 18