Guide: Ferrari 195 Sport
Background
When the 125 Sport debuted in May 1947, Ferrari began an inexorable rise to the pinnacle of motor racing.
A few weeks after its arrival, the 1.5-litre 125 Sport was replaced by the 1.9-litre 159 Sport. A two-litre 166 engine was then developed for use in 1948.
The 166 Spyder Corsa produced for 1948 was a dual purpose cycle winged roadster that could be configured for sports and monoposto events. 166 Spyder Corsas were the first Ferraris sold to customers in any significant numbers.
For 1949, Ferrari offered the 166 Mille Miglia which became the firm’s most popular competition model yet. Typically equipped with fully enveloped bodywork, 166 Mille Miglias were dedicated sports racing cars unlike the dual purpose sport / formula type Spyder Corsa that it replaced.
1949 turned out to be Ferrari’s best season yet. Between them, the 166 Mille Miglias and Spyder Corsas won practically every major sports car race.
Ferrari continued to offer the 166 Mille Miglia throughout 1950. However, while the 166 power unit was perfect for the ever-popular under two-litre class, Ferrari developed a pair of larger engines to stay in contention for outright wins in the face of fast-improving opposition.
One was a new big block V12 designed by Aurelio Lampredi that fleetingly appeared in a brace of 275 Sports.
The other was a continuation of the small block Gioacchino Colombo V12 that had been used in the 125, 159 and 166 models. It was this newly enlarged 2.4-litre motor that Ferrari fitted to the 195 Sport.
Unlike the 166 Mille Miglia, which was available to anyone with deep enough pockets to buy one, the 195 Sport was reserved for Scuderia Ferrari and a couple of the firm’s best customers. As the big block Lampredi engine was still in the early stages of development, it seemed likely that the 195 Sport would represent Ferrari’s best hope of success for the 1950 season.
The 195 Sport engine found its way into four different cars.
Chassis 0038 M was a red Touring-bodied Spyder campaigned extensively by Scuderia Ferrari.
Chassis 0060 M was a blue Touring Berlinetta that raced at the Le Mans 24 Hours under a Luigi Chinetti entry. Later in the year, it was sold to Briggs Cunningham.
The other two cars were both owned by the Marzotto brothers who were the biggest customers of Ferrari racing cars at the time.
Chassis 0026 M was a blue Touring Berlinetta raced successfully throughout 1950.
The other car to receive a 195 Sport engine was chassis 012I which started life as a 166 Spyder Corsa. 012I had appeared as a works car in 1948 after which it was sold to Giovanni Bracco who drove it (with factory assistance) to win the 1949 Italian Hillclimb Championship.
The Marzotto brothers purchased 012I for 1950 and had it completely rebuilt with a fresh 195 Sport motor and lightweight Touring-style Spyder bodywork by Fontana.
Engine & Gearbox
At the heart of the 195 Sport was Gioacchino Colombo’s small block all-alloy 60° V12 which featured single overhead camshafts per bank and two valves per cylinder.
The 346cc gain over Ferrari’s 166 models was achieved by increasing each cylinder bore from 60mm to 65mm. Stroke was kept at 59mm which gave an overall displacement of 2341cc.
Three Weber 36 DCF carburettors replaced the trio of 32 DCFs used by the 166 Mille Miglia. A wet-sump lubrication system was retained. Ignition was via a single spark plug per cylinder and two coils.
The compression ratio was reduced from 10.0:1 to 8.5:1 in the interest of reliability.
Peak output went from 140bhp at 6600rpm to 170bhp at 7000rpm. There was also a useful torque gain.
Transmission was via a Ferrari five-speed gearbox and twin-plate clutch.
Chassis
The powertrain was dropped into a 166 Mille Miglia-type tubular steel chassis manufactured by Gilco Autotelai in Milan.
Although Ferrari quoted a 2250mm wheelbase for the 195 Sport, it seems likely that the first two cars (0026 M and 0038 M) may have retained the 2200mm wheelbase as per the 166 Mille Miglia because these were already completed chassis plucked from the production line.
Independent front suspension was via double wishbones and a transverse leaf spring. The back end incorporated a live axle with semi elliptical springs and an anti-roll bar.
Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers were installed all round along with drum brakes.
Standard 15 x 5.5-inch Borrani wire wheels were used at the front. The rears were widened to 6-inches.
Bodywork
Cosmetically, the three Touring-bodied 195 Sports were very much like the other Ferraris produced by the Milanese coachbuilder around this time.
They featured exposed headlights, sculptured fenders and large egg-crate grilles. A stylised swage line ran down each flank from the tops of the front wheelarches.
Touring used a patented construction technique called Superleggera that saw aluminium body panels skinned over a skeletal frame of small diameter steel tubes that conformed to the body shape.
The Marzotto brother’s hybrid 195 Sport built on chassis 012I followed broadly the same approach to styling but was pared down to the absolute limit with a tapered tail and other skimpy details.
Interior
Interiors on all four cars were minimalist.
Dashboards were body coloured metal without upholstered tops or knee rolls. In addition to a speedometer and rev counter, read outs for oil pressure, water temperature and fuel were normally fitted but layouts differed from car-to-car.
To save weight, no door trim panels were installed. Bucket seats were upholstered in hard-wearing fabric or leather.
The Berlinettas came with sliding Plexiglas windows and five window cockpits that gave excellent all round visibility. The window slider controls were wooden to match the gear knob and steering wheel.
The works Spyder (0038 M) was built with only one opening door. The passenger side was sealed up.
Launch
Ferrari unveiled 195 Sport chassis 0026 M at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1950.
1950 Giro di Sicilia
The 195 Sport then made its competition debut on the Giro di Sicilia which comprised a single 1078km lap of Siciliy over the weekend of April 1st and 2nd.
The works Spyder (0038 M) and the Marzotto hybrid (012I) both appeared as Scuderia Ferrari team cars along with a 166 Mille Miglia for Luigi Villoresi. 0038 M was allocated to Alberto Ascari and his navigator, Ettore Salani. Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara were in 012I.
Ferrari started as hot favourites for the win but faced stiff opposition from a trio of works Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competiziones, a brace of factory Cisitalia 202 SMMs and myriad well-equipped privateers.
Unfortunately, neither of the 195 Sports made it to the finish.
Ascari (who had already crunched the right-hand rear corner of his car) retired 0038 M with oil starvation.
Marzotto charitably stopped to help Fabrizio Serena who had crashed his Lancia Aprilia Spyder into a ravine.
The only works Ferrari to finish was the 166 Mille Miglia of Luigi Villoresi which came home a distant eleventh after a troubled run.
Instead, it was Alfa Romeo that emerged victorious; the 6C 2500 Competizione of brothers Mario and Franco Bornigia finished in a time of just under 12.5 hours. The privateer 166 Mille Miglia Spyder of Inico Bernabei came home second, some twelve minutes down the road.
1950 Mille Miglia
The 195 Sports next appeared at the Mille Miglia over the weekend of April 22nd and 23rd.
On this occasion, the same two cars that contested the Giro three weeks earlier were joined by Scuderia Marzotto’s new blue Berlinetta (0026 M).
All three 195 Sports were entered by Scuderia Ferrari along with a brace of brand new 275 Sports (both of which were Touring Spyders).
The much-fancied 275s would be driven by F1 stars Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi.
Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara were partnered in the brand new 195 Sport Berlinetta (0026 M). Vittorio Marzotto was joined by coachbuilder Paolo Fontana in the hybrid (chassis 012I). The Scuderia Ferrari-owned Touring Spyder (0038 M) was entered for Dorino Serafini / Ettore Salani.
Among the other eleven Ferraris entered for the race were a pair of 166 Mille Miglias for Umberto Marzotto and his brother, Paolo.
Alfa Romeo were also on hand with their works 6C 2500 Competiziones while Jaguar and Healey arrived from England with a team of XK120s and Silverstones.
Among the 378 starters there was also the usual plethora of well-funded privateers driving Maseratis, Cisitalias and Stanguellinis.
The 1645km race was held on a loop from Brescia to Rome and back again. Wet and foggy conditions reduced the advantage of the most powerful cars.
Giannino Marzotto took the lead in his blue 195 Sport Berlinetta until the weather improved slightly which allowed Ascari through in his 275 Sport. However, the 275s of Ascari and Villoresi both retired with transmission trouble on the Apennine section between Pescara and Rome.
This left Marzotto with a clear lead.
Giannino Marzotto ultimately crossed the line in a time of 13 hours and 39 minutes to take a famous victory. The works 195 Sport Spyder of Serafini / Salani finished second some seven-and-a-half minutes back. Third spot went to the works Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competizione of Juan Manuel Fangio / Augusto Zanardi.
An hour behind the winner was the 195 Sport hybrid of Vittorio Marzotto / Paolo Fontana which placed ninth overall and sixth in the over two-litre class.
Unfortunately, the treacherous conditions resulted in three fatal accidents.
Less than 20km after the start, Aldo Brassi lost control of his Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia and crashed into a tree. Brassi succumbed to his injuries while navigator, Aldo Berardi, eventually recovered.
Half an hour after Brassi’s crash, navigator Peter Monkhouse died when the Healey Silverstone driven by PAH Wood went off the road.
The third fatality was navigator Antonio Torta who died in hospital three days after Egidio Salvati had crashed their Fiat.
After its victory on the Mille Miglia, chassis 0026 M was displayed at the Turin Motor Show which took place from May 4th to 14th.
1950 Luxembourg GP, Findel
On May 18th, the Findel street circuit played host to the Luxembourg Grand Prix.
Luigi Villoresi had won the 1949 event in a 166 Mille Miglia and returned for 1950.
Scuderia Ferrari sent works cars for Villoresi and Alberto Ascari.
Because the event was organised for under two-litre machinery, Ferrari fitted the 195 Sport Touring Spyder (0038 M) with a 166 engine. This car was allocated to Ascari while Villoresi had a regular 166 Mille Miglia at his disposal.
Eleven cars started the 55 lap 207km race including a quintet of BMW-powered Veritas.
None of the other cars present could hold a candle to the works Ferraris which finished three laps clear of third place man Jacques Swaters in his Veritas.
Winner Ascari ran at an average of 122.5kmh. He finished one minute and six seconds ahead of second place man Villoresi, but they shared the spoils for fastest lap.
1950 Coppa della Toscana
The Coppa della Toscana on June 4th saw 0038 M restored to its 2.4-litre configuration for Dorino Serafini and Ettore Salani to race.
The Marzotto brother’s blue Mille Miglia-winning Berlinetta was also in attendance. On this occasion, the Marzotto’s allocated 0026 M to prominent Milanese Ferrari and Maserati dealer, Franco Cornacchia, and his navigator, Del Carlo.
Both cars appeared as Scuderia Ferrari entries.
Opposition came from the odd privateer Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Maserati but most of the 152 starters were under 1.1-litre entries.
The Coppa della Toscana comprised a single 680km loop around Tuscany that started and finished in Livorno.
Serafini / Salani emerged as victors in the works Spyder with a time of five hours and 19 minutes.
Cornacchia and Del Carlo were nearly half-an-hour behind in second; they finished just three seconds ahead of the 1.1-litre class winning Ermini Fiat of Piero Scotti and Giulio Cantini.
1950 3 Ore Notturne Di Roma, Caracalla
The next outing for a 195 Sport was at the Tre Ore Notturne Di Roma, a three hour race around the Circuito Terme Di Caracella during the hours of darkness. It was held in support of the Rome GP which was won by Alberto Ascari in a works Ferrari 166 F2 monoposto.
Giannino Marzotto entered his Mille Miglia-winning Berlinetta and covered 265km to win at an average speed of 88.3kmh. He also posted fastest lap.
Antonio Stagnoli was second in his privateer Ferrari 166 Mille Miglia (two laps behind Marzotto). Franco Cortese took third in a Cisitalia Abarth Coupe to win the 1.1-litre class.
1950 Le Mans 24 Hours
Alongside the Mille Miglia, the Le Mans 24 Hours, which took place over the weekend of June 24th and 25th, was the most prestigious sports car race of the year.
The 112 entries were whittled down to 60 starters, five of which were Ferraris.
The big banger 275 Sports that appeared at the Mille Miglia earlier in the season were left in Maranello. Instead, Scuderia Ferrari took a brace of 195 Sports, both of which ran under Luigi Chinetti entries.
Ferrari’s trusty 195 Sport Spyder (0038 M) was allocated to 1949 winner Chinetti who was co-driven by Pierre Louis-Dreyfus. Raymond Sommer and Dorino Serafini were in a brand new French blue 195 Sport Berlinetta (0060 M).
The other three Ferraris were all 166 Mille Miglias, two of which were also Chinetti entries while the other was from Lord Selsdon.
In addition to the usual contingent of Talbot-Lagos and Delages, Ferrari would be up against works opposition from Simca, Aston Martin, Allard and Healey plus a trio of works prepared Jaguar XK120s. Briggs Cunningham arrived from the USA with two large displacement Cadillacs.
Although Sommer went fastest during practice in the new 195 Sport Berlinetta, grid positions were decided on engine size. Chinetti / Louis-Dreyfus lined up 24th and Sommer / Serafini were 25th.
Despite starting in the midfield, Sommer stormed up the order to lead at the end of lap one. Chinetti had risen to fifth by lap five.
Sommer then set a series of lap records to extend his lead but, during the third hour, he temporarily lost a cylinder as a result of electrical problems caused by a dislodged alternator. Sommer dropped to fifth which promoted the Louis Rosier Talbot-Lago T26GS into the lead.
At the end of hour four, Rosier led from Chinetti / Louis-Dreyfus. Sommer / Serafini had recovered to third.
Unfortunately, a recurrence of the earlier electrical problems during the night dropped Sommer / Serafini out of contention and they finally retired around midnight with no lights.
Soon afterwards, the differential on the Chinetti / Louis-Dreyfus Spyder started to play up. The car had run in the top three for much of the race but it retired midway through Sunday morning.
None of the five Ferraris lasted beyond two thirds distance which was a bitter disappointment in light of 1949’s victory.
After their problems at Le Mans, both 195 Sports were repaired back at the factory.
1950 Coppa d’Oro della Dolomiti
Chassis 0038 M next appeared for the Coppa d’Oro della Dolomiti on July 16th which comprised a single 304km loop around the Dolomite mountains. The event started and finished at Cortina D’Ampezzo and attracted 110 entries.
Among the favourites for victory was Franco Cornacchia in 0038 M while Giannino Marzotto drove a 166 Mille Miglia from his family’s stable. There were also a brace of the latest works A6 GCS Maseratis and the usual array of privateer machinery.
Victory ultimately fell to the Marzotto 166 which finished 14 seconds ahead of Giovanni Bracco’s works Maserati after three-and-a-half hours of racing.
Cornacchia placed third in the 195 Sport, a further seven minutes behind Bracco.
1950 Giro delle Calabria
0038 M was subsequently entered for another long distance road race on August 8th. The Giro delle Calabria comprised a 723km lap of the Southern Italian region; Dorino Serafini and Ettore Salani were partnered together in the works Spyder.
56 other starters participated but Serafini / Salani took another win for the 195 Sport. They finished in a time of eight hours and 27 minutes at an average speed of 85.5kmh.
Franco Cornacchia / Del Carlo were second in Cornacchia’s 195 Inter road car. They were 17 minutes behind the winners but 20 minutes ahead of the Nicola Musmeci / Scuto Maserati A6 GCS which, unlike the 195 Inter, was a bona fide sports racing car.
1950 Silverstone International 1 Hour Trophy
0038 M’s final circuit race of the year came at the Silverstone 1 Hour Trophy race on August 26th where it ran a two-litre engine. Alberto Ascari won the sports car race but failed to qualify for the main event (the International Trophy for Grand Prix cars) after he crashed his 125 monoposto in heat one.
1950 Hillclimbs
In addition to the 195 Sport’s successful racing campaign of 1950, chassis 012I (the Marzotto hybrid) and 0038 M (the works Spyder) contested a number of hillclimbs.
1949 champion, Giovanni Bracco, won the Parma-Poggio di Berceto Hillclimb (May 14th, 012I), the Susa-Moncenisio Hillclimb (July 30th, 012I), the Bologna-Raticosa Hillclimb (September 17th, 0038 M), the Vermicino-Rocca di Papa Hillclimb (October 22nd, 0038 M) and the Catania-Etna Hillclimb (October 29th, 0038 M).
Bracco also took second in the Pontedecimo-Giovi Hillclimb (September 24th, 0038 M) to claim the championship for a second successive year.
In addition, Vittorio Marzotto drove the hybrid 195 Sport (chassis 012I) to victory at the Treponti-Castelnuovo Hillclimb on October 1st.
1950 Sebring 6 Hours
The last contest of 1950 took place at Sebring where the Sports Car Club of America organised a six hour event for December 31st.
Sebring’s first ever race attracted a fine grid of machinery including 0060 M. This car was the 195 Sport Berlinetta that had raced on just one prior occasion (the Le Mans 24 Hours with Sommer / Serafini).
0060 M had been sold to American sportsman and industrialist, Briggs Cunningham, who had seen the car’s impressive turn of speed first hand at la Sarthe.
0060 M was entered for Luigi Chinetti and Alfredo Momo at Sebring while Cunningham drove his newly acquired Aston Martin DB2 Vantage.
The race was organised to handicap regulations which meant that, although the little blue Ferrari finished sixth in terms of distance covered, it was actually classified seventh overall. This was nevertheless good enough to take first in the three-litre Sports class.
Subsequent Histories
In 1951, the four 195 Sports met a variety of fates.
The Marzotto hybrid, chassis 012I, was fitted with a new 2.5-litre engine. It continued to compete but ceased to be a 195 Sport.
The Marzotto’s Mille Miglia winning Berlinetta, 0026 M, was sold to Domenico Rossi (a cousin of the Marzottos). It appeared just once when Giannino Marzotto borrowed it to contest the Treponti-Castelnuovo Hillclimb where he finished sixth overall and third in class.
Scuderia Ferrari’s red Spyder, 0038 M, was retained by the factory. It was used for two early season events (the Giro di Sicilia and Mille Miglia) and received a modified nose with shorter bonnet and extra intake above the main grille.
Piero Taruffi / Ettore Salani finished second on the Giro but Dorino Serafini (navigated by Salani) crashed on the Mille Miglia. Later in the year, 0038 M was rebuilt with a new Vignale Coupe body for Jose Froilan Gonzalez.
Briggs Cunningham retained his blue Berlinetta (0060 M) which had been raced at Le Mans and the Sebring 6 Hours. In 1951, it scooped a trio of second place finishes at Bridgehampton and Watkins Glen after which it was sold to the Yung brothers (Peter and Robert) from New York.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ferrari - https://www.ferrari.com & Gooding & Company - https://www.goodingco.com/
