1956 Ferrari 860 Monza

Inspired by the F1 program, and the ALTA four-cylinder engine, Ferrari built three large-displacement, 4-cylinder prototypes known as the 860 Monza. These were used in the 1956 season as factory competition cars alongside the V12 290 MM.

The first two Monzas appeared at the 1956 Twelve Hours of Sebring and were entered for Scuderia Ferrari. At this season opener, they had great success: the car of Eugenio Castellotti and Juan Fangio placed first overall with the second Monza of Luigi Musso and Harry Schell taking second place.

The Sebring winning 860 Monza, chassis 0604M remained in the United States for John von Neumann to use. 0602M and a newly built 0628 continued under the Scuderia Ferrari banner as factory prototypes for the World Championship.

At the 1956 Mille Miglia, the two factory 860 Monzas were entered, one for driver Peter Collins and photographer Louis Klemantaski who snapped famous color photos of the event from the passenger seat. They finished second overall in car #551 while Luigi Musso was 22 minutes behind in #556. Both were beaten by the Ferrari 290MM of Eugenio Castellotti who won the event overall.

For the rest of the season, 0602M and 0628 were used by the factory to clinch the World Sports Car Championship. Eugenio Castelotti won the GP of Rouen outright.

Pictures & Gallery

See full 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza Gallery here

Specs & Performance

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Racing Car
built at	Maranello, Italy
body stylist	Scaglietti & C.
coachbuilder	Scaglietti & C.
production	3
engine	Inline-4
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl
fuel feed	2 Weber 58 DCOA/3 carburettors
displacement	3431 cc / 209.4 in³
bore	102 mm / 4.02 in
stroke	105 mm / 4.13 in
compression	8.5:1
power	231.2 kw / 310 bhp @ 6200 rpm
specific output	90.35 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	360.47 bhp per tonne
driven wheels	Front Engine / RWD
front tires	6.0×16
rear tires	7.0×16
front brakes	Hydraulic Drums
rear brakes	Hydraulic Drums
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/coil Springs
r suspension	De Dion Axle w/Transverse leaf Spring
curb weight	860 kg / 1896 lbs
wheelbase	2350 mm / 92.5 in
front track	1246 mm / 49.1 in
rear track	1310 mm / 51.6 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
key drivers	Peter Collins, Eugenio Castelotti, Juan Manuel Fangio, Luigi Musso, Harry Schell, Bob Grossman, John von Neumann, Phil Hill
race victories	1956 Sebring 12 Hours, 1956 Rouen GP