Ferrari 500 Super Fast
Ferrari 500 Super Fast
Ferrari's racing heritage manifested itself in the Superfast's magnificent 5.0-litre, 'long block' V12 engine. The work of engineer Aurelio Lampredi, it was descended from the racing version that had enjoyed victory at Le Mans but used detachable cylinder heads instead of the competition unit's fixed type. There was a single chain-driven overhead camshaft for each bank of cylinders, while induction came courtesy of a trio of Weber 40DCZ/6 carburettors. The Tipo 208 unit's maximum output of 400bhp made it one of the most powerful production engines of its day and was sufficient to propel the aerodynamically efficient Superfast to a top speed approaching 170mph, a staggering achievement 50 years ago and a highly respectable maximum even today. Brutally powerful, supremely elegant and outrageously expensive, this ultimate Gran Turismo was a true supercar long before the term first emerged.