1956 Ferrari 500 TR
Ferrari needed a very new special weapon to take on the Maserati four-cylinder two-litre. So with this in mind, the 2200cc which derived from the Mondial was handed over to a former Maserati engineer named Massimino who made it more reliable and powerful.
The heads of the new engine were painted and it is from this feature that the Testarossa took it name.
Its coachwork was by Scaglietti, as was that of the more shapely second version, the 500 TR, which was reserved for existing customers.
Although it never raced as an official Team Ferrari car, the 500 TR still delivered a host of victories thanks to its excellent handling and reliability.
Ferrari 500 TR Technical Specifications
Year of Manufacture – 1956
| ENGINE | ||
| type | front, longitudinal in-line four | |
| bore/stroke | 90 x 78 mm | |
| unitary displacement | 496.21 cc | |
| total displacement | 1984.86 cc | |
| compression ratio | 8.5 : 1 | |
| maximum power | 132 kW (180 hp) at 7000 rpm | |
| power per litre | 91 hp/l | |
| maximum torque | – | |
| valve actuation | twin overhead camshafts per bank, two valves per cylinder | |
| fuel feed | two Weber 40 DCO/3 carburettors | |
| ignition | two spark plugs per cylinder, two coils | |
| lubrication | dry sump | |
| clutch | twin-plate | |
| CHASSIS | ||
| frame | tubular steel | |
| front suspension | independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers | |
| rear suspension | live axle, coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers | |
| brakes | drums | |
| transmission | 4-speed + reverse | |
| steering | worm and sector | |
| fuel tank | capacity 120 litres | |
| front tyres | 5.50 x 16 | |
| rear tyres | 6.00 x 16 | |
| BODYWORK | ||
| type | spider, two-seater | |
| length | – | |
| width | – | |
| height | – | |
| wheelbase | 2250 mm | |
| front track | 1308 mm | |
| rear track | 1250 mm | |
| weight | 680 kg (dry) | |
| PERFORMANCE | ||
| top speed | 245 km/h | |
| acceleration 0-100 km/h | – | |
| 0-400 m | – | |
| 0-1000 m | – | |