The Ferrari 250 MM was built starting in 1952 and was the production racing car that followed the one-off 250 S. "MM" stands for the Mille Miglia race. Its 3.0-liter Colombo V12 produced more power than its predecessor thanks to different carburetor jetting, developing 240 PS. Best known is the closed Berlinetta by Pinin Farina, of which eighteen were built; it ushered in a new era in automotive design and served as the template for later Ferrari racing Berlinettas. Vignale built twelve open Spyders.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Learn moreOrigins · Engine and transmission · Coachwork
Origins
The chassis was engineered similarly to the 250 S one-off. In the spring of 1953, Ferrari showed the final product in Geneva, the 250 MM, as its successor. The chassis engineering remained practically unchanged: double wishbones and transverse leaf springs at the front, a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The 250 MM was produced in a large volume for a sports racing car of that era. Pininfarina built eighteen Berlinettas, joined by Spyders from Vignale and a coupé by Morelli.
Engine and transmission
The 60° V12 was mounted longitudinally in front. With a 73 mm bore and 58.8 mm stroke, it achieved 2953.21 cm³; at a 9:1 compression ratio and with three Weber 36IF/4C carburetors, it produced 240 PS at 7200/min. It featured a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank, two valves per cylinder, and one spark plug per cylinder with two coils. A multi-plate clutch was new; the 250 S had only a single-plate clutch. The transmission had four synchronized gears, whereas the 250 S had five.
Coachwork
Pinin Farina created an innovative closed Berlinetta that inaugurated a new era in automotive design and later served as the foundation for Ferrari's competition Berlinettas. Vignale offered an open Barchetta in three series, with every example differing in small details. Early cars had open headlights and a small hood scoop, while later ones featured recessed, covered headlights, a lower beltline, and triangular cutouts in the rear fenders. All Vignale designs were penned by Giovanni Michelotti.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 250 MM
When was the Ferrari 250 MM raced?
The Ferrari 250 MM was raced from 1952 to 1954.
How much power does the Ferrari 250 MM have?
Power of the Ferrari 250 MM: 240 PS.
What engine does the Ferrari 250 MM have?
Engine of the Ferrari 250 MM: 3.0 l (2953 cm³) Colombo V12. It is mounted at the front.
How fast is the Ferrari 250 MM?
Top speed of the Ferrari 250 MM: 250 km/h.
Who engineered the Ferrari 250 MM?
Engineering of the Ferrari 250 MM: Giovanni Michelotti at Vignale; Pinin Farina.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 250 MM?
Predecessor: Ferrari 250 S. Successor: Ferrari 250 Monza; Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta.
