Ever Wonder About The First Ferrari? Check It Out!
May 16, 2009 | 06:32 PM
#1
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,875
From: Orange County
Ever Wonder About The First Ferrari? Check It Out!
Lately, I have been educating myself about the Ferrari brand by reading every book and article regarding the Scuderia that I can find.
When I started on this journey, I had one question: What was the first Ferrari?
As is the case with many questions about Ferrari, the answer involves a story.
In this thread I will be discussing the first car fully designed and built by Enzo Ferrari. As you will learn, the car is often forgotten because it did not bear the Ferrari name.
Hopefully you will enjoy learning more about the world's most prestigious automobile mark as much as I do.
The 1940 Auto Avio Construzioni 815 (Ferrari Tipo 815)
For ten years Enzo Ferrari ran Alfa Romeo's racing department under the Scuderia Ferrari flag. Due to constant disagreements with management - especially Spanish technical director Wilfredo Ricart - Enzo left Alfa in 1939 to start his own automobile company.
Due to the acrimony between Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, Enzo was required to sign an agreement forbidding him from being engaged in any type of racing under the Ferrari name for four years. But in typical Enzo Ferrari fashion, this setback sewed the seeds of future success. Taking the money he negotiated away from Alfa Romeo as both a severance and in exchange for his agreement not to race under the Scuderia brand, Enzo started a company in his hometown of Modena in 1940. He called it Auto Avio Construczioni. The shop would produce 2 roadsters called the 815. Although they did not bear the Ferrari name or sport its prancing pony badge, the 815 is the first car fully designed and built by Enzo Ferrari.
The 815 was built from largely Fiat parts and components. Specifically, Enzo used the Fiat 1.5 L (1496 cc) straight-8 engine and chassis from the 508 C Balilla 1100. He formed a small crew to staff his workshop that included such auto racing legends as Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani. In 1940 the shop produced 2 two-seat roadsters with lines penned by Milan-based Carrozeria Touring who would work extensively with Ferrari for the next 10 years. The car was dubbed the Tipo 815. Both 815s participated in the 13th Mille Miglia that same year. Driven by Alberto Ascari and Lotario Rangoni, the cars lead most of the 1500 cc Sport category until they were forced to retire due to mechanical failure.
The first 815 was owned by Ascari for several years. Ascari eventually sold the car to Enrico Beltrachini who raced it at least 8 times in post-WWII events. The other was owned by Rangoni who was killed in World War II. It passed to his brother Ronaldo but was scrapped in 1958.
The only remaining 815 today is chassis 815/021 and is held in the Righini collection owned by Mario Righini in Italy. Good luck negotiating a purchase price.
Thanks for reading!
Dana
Key Stats:
Manufacturer: Auto Avio Costruzioni
Production: 1940 (2 produced)
Successor: Ferrari 125 S
Class: Sports car
Body style: 2-seat barchetta
Engine: 1.5 L (1496 cc) SOHC I8
Wheelbase: 2420 mm (95 in)
Curb weight: 625 kg (1375 lb)
Power: 72 hp at 5500 RPM
Last edited by Barrister; May 16, 2009 at 10:46 PM.
May 16, 2009 | 06:56 PM
#3
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,875
From: Orange County
I think that Mario is gonna hold on to this one. Can you imagine what it would sell for if it ever did come up for sale? Yowza.
May 16, 2009 | 07:06 PM
#4
Bo means business
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,319
From: Stamford, CT
Thanks for posting Dana.. great story, ironically i knew it from a marketing class when i was in college.
now the great question is, have you finally decided to be a tifoso.. i can see the resemblance
now the great question is, have you finally decided to be a tifoso.. i can see the resemblance
