Ferrari 159 S

The Ferrari 159 S (1947) was the second Ferrari vehicle, succeeding the Ferrari 125 S that had won six of 14 races earlier in 1947. Only two 159S were built, one of these rebuilt as a Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa, and as of 2012, the oldest remaining Ferrari.

Ferrari 159 S
One of the originals in 1947.[1]
Overview
ManufacturerFerrari
Production1947
2 produced
DesignerGioacchino Colombo
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine1.9 L (1902.84 cc) Colombo V12
Transmission5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,420 mm (95.3 in)
Curb weight750 kg (1,653 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFerrari 125 S
SuccessorFerrari 166 S

Technical

The 159 S was essentially a Ferrari 125 S with a larger engine (larger bore) and very minor cosmetic differences.

The engine was a 1.9-litre (1903 cc/116 in³) 60° V12 with a bore/stroke of 59 x 58 mm, producing 125 bhp (92 kW) at 6,500 rpm with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. It was a single overhead camshaft design with 2 valves per cylinder and three Weber 32DCF carburettors. It had a five-speed manual transmissions and retained the Fiat tradition of mounting the engine in-block with the gearbox. It had a steel tube-frame chassis, independent wishbone suspension with transverse leaf springs in front and a live axle in the rear and hydraulic shock absorbers all round. Drum brakes were specified front and rear.

Racing

The 159 S debuted for Scuderia Ferrari on August 15, 1947 at the Circuito di Pescara with the company's driver, Franco Cortese,[2] coming in second.[3] Although it led overall for a time, the class-winning 159 S eventually fell behind the Stanguellini of Vincenzo Auricchio. Like the 125, the 159 S was unable to beat Maserati's 6CS 1500 for much of the rest of the 1947 season. However, at the 1947 Turin Grand Prix on October 12, the car was able to shine, with French driver Raymond Sommer claiming overall victory in the single 159 S entered.[4]

Gabriele and Soava Besana in the 159 S

It was sold to the Besana brothers of Milan, and converted into a 166 Spyder Corsa for the 1948 racing season.[5]

The car has since an auction in 2004[6] been owned and raced by Ferrari collector and restorer James Glickenhaus.[7]

References
  1. Ferrari 1947 at classiccarcatalogue.com.
  2. 1947: il primo anno della Ferrari from Modelfoxbrianza.it.
  3. Circuito di Pescara 1947 from www.racingsportscars.com.
  4. Luigi Brandoli, 12 Ottobre 1947 - 2° Gran Premio Città di Torino, from La storia di Lancia Marino.
  5. Acerbi, Leonardo (2012). Ferrari: All The Cars. Haynes Publishing. ISBN 978 1 84425 581 8.
  6. 1947 FERRARI 166 SPIDER CORSA TWO-SEATER SPORTS RACING CAR from www.christies.com.
  7. 166 Spyder Corsa 002C from www.barchetta.cc on April 1, 2016.

Bibliography
  • Acerbi, Leonardo (2012). Ferrari: All The Cars. Haynes Publishing. ISBN 978 1 84425 581 8.
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