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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

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

Bodywork

  • Type...................Formula Libre single-seater
  • Length...................-
  • Width...................-
  • Height...................-
  • Wheelbase...................2540 mm
  • Front track...................1278 mm
  • Rear track...................1250 mm
  • Weight...................786 kg (dry)

Performance

  • Top speed...................330 km/h

  

The listed details are those published by Ferrari at the model's presentation.

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