24h Le Mans
The V12 engine was one of the Ferrari's calling cards until the 1980s, its inimitable sound forever anchored in the memory of fans.
According to "il Commendatore" (the Commander) Enzo Ferrari, the engine is the heart of a car. They pay extremely close attention to all things mechanical at Maranello where engineers consider that element the key to winning. Enzo founded his own marque in 1947 with the goal of beating Alfa Romeo for which he had driven in the 1920s and represented at the highest level during the 1930s.
For his first design under the Ferrari name, the 125 S, he opted for a particular engine architecture: the 12-cylinder V. His cars were designed as prototypes with performance in mind.
All Ferraris were equipped with a V12 engine, becoming a signature characteristic for the marque until the 1980s that is often reflected in model names: the Ferrari 312 PB carries the number 3 for "3.0 litres" and "12" for V12. Ferraris are recognisable thanks to their inimitable sound, from the 375 Plus to the 333 SP via the 330 P4.
This element was central to the development of new track-ready prototypes. As Enzo himself said: "I build engines and give them wheels." The Ferrari exhibition La Storia Di Le Mans offers the perfect opportunity to see a V12 made in Maranello.
Though aerodynamics were not Enzo's priority, it has never stopped designers from creating striking lines. One of the best examples of that effort remains the fluid curves of the legendary 250 Testa Rossa, winner at Le Mans in three slightly different versions in 1958, 1960 and 1961.
Since 26 November, the 24 Hours Museum has hosted a temporary exhibition called La Storia Di Le Mans that retraces the history of Ferrari prototypes at the race and boasts several iconic cars.
To learn more, go to the 24 Hours Museum website.
