Miguel Sánchez
Normally, when talking about cars, the most recurring thing is to bring out characteristics related to design or aerodynamics. Moreover, analyzing popular models it is impossible to dissociate them from the socioeconomic conditions of the moment. Of the mobility needs that they came to cover and the market to which they should be projected. However, when we focus on competition vehicles perhaps the most appropriate thing would be to mention the pilots who managed to take them to the top positions. Something that, in the case of the Ferrari 290 MM Scaglietti with chassis 0626, is absolutely essential.
And it is that, after all, the panoply of mythical pilots related to this unit is overwhelming. Even more so when each and every one of them sat on it during the same season. The one of 1956 in the World Championship of Sport Prototypes. Definitely one of the most special not only in the history of endurance racing, but in the entire history of motorsports. A statement justified by the hardness of their races and the exquisite technical height of the assembled vehicles. Ready to compete on such iconic tracks as Le Mans, Mille Miglia, Targa-Florio, Sebring or Nürburgring.
Thus, this Ferrari 290 MM could already enter the top of the automotive pedestal. But it is that, in addition, in his seat they sat Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, Alfonso de Portago, Peter Collins or the charismatic Masten Gregory as the most recognizable names. An overwhelming list that makes this unit not only part of the official Maranello team that won the Championship in 1956, but also one of the most significant pieces in the history of the competition. In addition, how could it be otherwise in a Sport Prototype signed by Enzo Ferrari, its mechanics designed by Vittorio Jano on the basis dictated by Aurelio Lampredi is a true delight.
1956, A SEASON MARKED BY THE MEMORY OF THE TRAGEDY
While in 1950 F1 was launched, in 1953 the World Championship of Sport Prototypes was released. In this way, what was going to be the first line of international sports car racing for decades was configured. Combining the precision of the single-seaters with the resistance and speed of the Sport Prototypes. With this scenario, Ferrari decided to go for it all in both specialties. And the truth, she got it. After the first two seasons of F1 led by Alfa Romeo with Farina and Fangio, those from Maranello signed with Ascari the victory in 1952 and 1953. In addition, in Sport Prototypes they took control in the premiere year.
However, by 1954 things began to change. And it is that Mercedes managed to enter with force thanks to its W196 driven by Fangio and Stirling Moss. In this way, the German house took the absolute victory in F1 in 1954 and 1955, also achieving the World Sport Prototype Championship in 1955 with his 300 SLR. Yet right there, just as Mercedes had swept Ferrari to the top of motorsports, one of the greatest tragedies in motorsports history occurred. The harrowing Le Mans Disaster 1955.
83 spectators killed in the fireball that Pierre Levegh's 300 SLR became. Thrown against the stands after colliding on the finish straight with Lance Macklin's Austin-Healy, that vehicle became a death trap from which barely any remains could be recovered. A tragedy of enormous impact for which Mercedes decided to withdraw from the competition. In addition, two years later the deadly Ferrari for Alfonso de Portago took out ten spectators in the Mille Miglia. Fact that put an end to the historic Italian race. Placing once again the accent on the necessary safety for pilots and, above all, spectators.
With all this, the 1956 season looked open for Ferrari without the presence of Mercedes in the World Sport Prototype Championship. However, Maserati was not going to make it so easy for him by presenting his 300S. A true virguería designed by Medardo Fantuzzi, using a chassis with the trellis structure that would later make the 1959 Birdcage famous. All this with a De Dion rear axle and a three-liter engine with 245CV. Undoubtedly a machine to take into account, causing Maranello to take out the Ferrari 290 MM as a response. A model that, at last, recovered the mythical V12 after years of experimentation with the four and six-cylinder blocks designed by Aurelio Lampredi.
FERRARI 290 MM SCAGLIETTI, ONE OF THE GREATEST COMPETITION FERRARI
After spending a few prolific years at Lancia, Vittorio Jano ended up at Ferrari in 1955. Seasoned as one of the best Italian engineers in history, his influence in the Cavallino house was enormous, designing new V6 and V8 decisive for the future of the brand -and Dino- during the sixties and seventies. Nevertheless, his first major intervention in the engine department has to do with the V12 of this Ferrari 290 MM. In fact, together with Andrea Fraschetti, he was responsible for abandoning the simple Lampredi engine block to return to the imposing V12s that characterize the Italian brand so much.
Of course, they did not do it using the 12 Colombo V1947 block as a base. Instead, they were inspired by the V12 designed by Lampredi in 1950. From which they derived their four and six cylinder engines to finally be completely surpassed by the Colombo in 1959, evolved until 1988. Based on that design, Jano and Fraschetti devised a shorter and wider engine than the V12 Lampredi, emphasizing the design of the combustion chambers to improve the operation of the valves.
In this way, they got about 40CV more than those given by the 860 Monza and its in-line four-cylinder engine, reaching 320CV with a displacement of 3,5 liters. A design that put the V12 back at the center of Ferrari's competition department, topped off with a De Dion rear axle. After this, only the pilots remained. And well, the truth is that Enzo Ferrari used his best negotiating skills for it. At this point, he drew up a list that combined established icons such as Fangio with firm promises such as Phil Hill -signed by the Scuderia just in that 1956-.
In the Mille Miglia it was precisely Fangio who took this Ferrari 290 MM with chassis 0626. In addition, he did it without the help of any co-driver who read him the directions on curves or obstacles. All this under inclement water going in a barchetta, without a roof. Even so, the Argentine was fourth. A feat only available to the best. After this, in the 1.000 Kilometers of Nürburgring he was led by a trio of four drivers including Phil Hill and Alfonso de Portago. Who, by the way, also drove this same unit at the GP Rouen-Les Essarts.
Thus, the 1956 season in the World Sport Prototype Championship went into the hands of the Scuderia thanks, to a great extent, to this Ferrari 290 MM. Which also ran officially in 1957, participating in the 1.000 Kilometers of Buenos Aires with, among others, Gregory Masten. One of the most charismatic riders in the motor world - along with Renzo Pasolini on motorcycles - among all those with glasses as part of his life.
After that race in Argentina, this Ferrari 290 MM was sold through Luigi chinetti in the U.S. Country where he had a new life at the service of multiple private teams until in 1968 he finally left the tracks. Attention, with the most interesting fact of never having collided. Something that, beyond certain changes in the painting, ensures an excellent state of origin for this unit. Undoubtedly one more detail in the long list of data responsible for making this unit one of the most special competition Ferraris. Simply wonderful.
Photographs: RM Sotheby's
