Ferrari 375 Indy

Builder	Ferrari
Class	Race Car
Category	Indianapolis 500
Team	NART - Ferrari
Designed by	Aurelio Lampredi
Chassis	spars and crosspieces
Motor	Ferrari V12 at 60°, 4,493 cm³
Transmission	4-speed manual + non-synchronized reverse in lock with the differential, rear-wheel drive
Length	3937 mm
Length	1428 mm
Height	960 mm
Step	2540 mm
Weight	786kg
Fuel	Shell
Tyres	Firestone
Opponents	Formula 1 cars 1952
Debut	Indianapolis 500 1952

The Ferrari 375 Indy is the car from the 1950s with which Scuderia Ferrari took part in the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in its history. It is directly derived from the 375 F1 .

History

The Ferrari 375 Indianapolis was a developed from the Formula 1 car Ferrari 375F1 monoposto Scuderia Ferrari for the 500 miles of Indianapolis , which were scored in the period from 1950 to 1960 for the drivers' championship. From the 375F1, the vehicles differed by the slightly longer wheelbase (2420 mm) and a stiffer frame. Five copies were made in 1952, a sixth end in 1953 with a shorter wheelbase and tubular frame.

In the 1950s , despite being deserted en masse by non-American teams, the Indianapolis 500 was still a valid race for the Formula 1 world championship . So, in 1952 Ferrari decided to take part with the 375 F1 hoping to replicate Maserati 's successes of 1939 and 1940.

Naturally the 375 F1 needed appropriate modifications that would allow it to withstand the stresses of the Indianapolis basin which would have made a normal Formula 1 undrivable and unreliable. The chassis was therefore modified in wheelbase and strengthened as well as the suspension which was hardened and larger tires were adopted. The engine was increased to 400 HP at 7,500 rpm thanks to the modification of the compression ratio and the adoption of new four-barrel Weber carburettors. The dynamic air intake on the hood was also modified to improve the air flow to the carburettors. In this configuration it therefore became the 375 Indy.

PERFORMANCE

• Top speed 325 km/h
• Power to weight ratio 2.05 kg/hp
• Maximum power 400 hp at 7500 rpm
• Specific power 91.2 hp/litre

The first appearance of the 375 Indy took place at the 1952 Turin Grand Prix with Luigi Villoresi driving and winning the race. Around mid-May the 375 Indy was transferred to the United States where Ascari began to become familiar with the circuit and was thus forced to miss the Swiss Grand Prix , the first event of the Formula 1 season.

Ferrari entered the race with four cars: one managed by Chinetti's NART and driven by Ascari and the other three entrusted to American teams. A curiosity derives from the fact that Ascari's car, not knowing whether the team would participate in an official capacity, showed up at qualifying with the Prancing Horse shield hidden under some adhesive tape, which was then removed during the race.

Right from qualifying, the 375 Indy revealed its inadequacy for the American race and only Ascari managed to qualify, taking 19th place on the grid. In fact, although the American cars were cruder, they were perfectly adapted to that particular type of race. However, in the race Ascari proved to be up to the task, managing to gain a few positions in the first laps, but was forced to retire on lap 40 due to a broken wheel hub.

In the following years the machine was developed by Luigi Chinetti ; the most obvious modification was the installation of two side tanks (the one on the left contained the fuel while the one on the right housed an additional radiator) which made it similar to the Ferrari 555 F1 . Tested by Fred Agabashian and Bobby Ball , the car did not compete in the 1954 Indianapolis 500 . In the 1956 edition it was used by Johnny Baldwin , entered in the race with the Bardahl Ferrari , who however did not qualify. On the occasion of the 500 Miglia di Monza it was entered by NART for Harry Schell .