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The Mondial was named in honor of Alberto Ascari's World Championship season behind the wheel of a four-cylinder Ferrari. Not surprisingly, the same engine was later fitted into sports cars including two very rare Berlinettas. Reserved for Ferrari's private customers, the Mondial was designed for events like the Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia were it could dominate the 2.0 liter class.

Before being used in sports cars, Ferrari's four cylinder enjoyed success in the World Championship which for 1951 was focused on Formula 2 (F2) regulations. It's hard to believe Ferrari would ever replace the V12, but after the 1950 season in F1, a four cylinder was on the drawing board. Motivation came from HWMs driven by Stirling Moss that were powered by four-cylinder ALTA engines. The performance of this car and the upcoming 2-liter limit on engine capacity influenced both Enzo Ferrari and designer Aurelio Lampredi to make their own four-banger.

For the 1951 season, Lampredi was given the task to design a 2.0 and 2.5 4-cylinder engines that used the same interchangeable parts. He was convinced that the low rpm torque curve would offer an advantage on twisty circuits. After 100 days, the first prototype engine was complete and ready. It had a DOHC, chain-driven valvetrain, 2 Weber 45 DOE carburetors, a light alloy casting and a displacement of 1985cc that could produce 170 bhp. This combination fit so well within the new Formula 2 rules that Ferrari and Alberto Ascari became world champions. That season Alberto Ascari won the Driver’s Championship, winning six of the eight races with the Type 500. Thus, the new car was called the Mondial in tribute to this success.

Encouraged by their World Championship victory, the the first 4-cylinder experimental cars rolled out of Maranello in 1953. These were three 2.5-liter 625 TFs and a 2-liter 735 S. Again another variant was made aa sole 2-liter prototype from a 250 MM chassis. Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi drove this car on December 20, 1953 at the 12 Hours of Casablanca placing second behind the much larger and more powerful 375 MM.

Similar to successful 250 MM prototype, the 500 Mondial used a 2.0-liter engine in a tubular frame having a transmission in the rear combined with a De Dion Type suspension. Up front, the Type 110 inline-4 resembled the 500 Formula 2 engine of 1953. It raced alongside the 750 Monza, essentially a 3-liter version of the same design. Power was driven to the rear wheels with a 4-Speed transmission with optional ratios of 3.92, 4.12, 4.34, 5.06.

Pinin Farina made a striking body for the first examples in the series. Devoid of any ornamentation, the design had a purposeful stance and a neat crease line that stretched from the top of the front wheel well. Unlike the V12 models, the Mondial and subsequent four-cylinder Ferraris lacked hood scoops. Two special coupes (0452MD) were also made for the 1954 Tour de France, but neither lasted long enough to reach the finish line (3345 miles). Later in the production series, Scaglietti was commissioned to create a body to Dino Ferrari's design. These cars used 'spider' bodywork with longer, better penetrating bodywork.

The Series I Mondial debuted in 1953 at the 12 Hours of Casablanca in 1953, finishing second behind the 4.5-litre 375 MM. Vittorio Marzotto drove chassis 0404MD to second place overall at the 1954 Mille Miglia. This was a remarkable result since the small Mondial was only running in the 2.0 class, but beat everyone except Alberto Ascari in the potent Lancia D24.

A second series 500 Mondial was produced in 1954/5. These cars all used the Scaglietti 'spider' bodywork, but with a new Tipo 111 engine. Furthermore the front suspension was upgraded to include coil springs. Eventually the whole series was replaced by the Testa Rossa (500 TR) in 1956.

Chassis

0452MD-16th of 22 Series I Mondials completed on July 9th at Pinin Farina and sold new to the first owner, Francesco Marchesi of Modena. It was used for the 4th Annual Tour de France with race number 235 but did not finish. Later it made an appearance at the Grand Prix of Agadir in Morocco. Its second owner, Roberto Montali raced 0452MD twice at the 1956 & 1957 Mille Miglia, placing 59th overall.

After its race duty was over the car had different owners in Bologna, Paris, Detroit, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Silver Spring Mountain, Colorado and York, Pennsylvania. At some point the car was fitted with a Ferrari 500 TR engine, but the original was retained. In the 1980s the car was restored by Scott Grundfor’s Scott Restorations. It then was traded several times before reaching Japan.

Story by Richard Owen

Chassis & Sales

1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Berlinetta 0452MD - sold for $1,567,500 One of two Berlinettas built. Three-time Mille Miglia entrant (1955, ’56 & ’57) and Tour de France entrant. 1986 FCA National Meet Best in Show. Ferrari Classiche certified. Not only is this particular example show-quality, it is also one of the few that retains its original engine, gearbox and coachwork. The integrity and originality of the car has also resulted in its achievement of Classiche Certification, the “gold standard” of judgment ag... more
Gallery: RM Auctions' 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey

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