What do the numbers in Ferrari names mean?
Ferrari never named its models by a single rule. But four patterns can be worked out from the displacement: Displacement of one cylinder (250 GTO), Liters + number of cylinders (308 GTB/GTS / 308 GTBi/GTSi), Liters + 12 cylinders (BB 512), Displacement alone (360 Modena). Example Ferrari 250 GTO: 2953 cm³ ÷ 12 cylinders = 246 cm³ per cylinder.
Displacement of one cylinder
The number gives the displacement of a single cylinder in cubic centimeters – the oldest pattern, typical of the twelve-cylinder cars.
- Ferrari 166 Inter – 1995 cm³ ÷ 12 cylinders = 166 cm³ per cylinder
- Ferrari 195 Inter – 2341 cm³ ÷ 12 cylinders = 195 cm³ per cylinder
- Ferrari 340 America – 4102 cm³ ÷ 12 cylinders = 342 cm³ per cylinder
- Ferrari 212 Inter – 2563 cm³ ÷ 12 cylinders = 214 cm³ per cylinder
- Ferrari 250 (Baureihe) – 2953 cm³ ÷ 12 cylinders = 246 cm³ per cylinder
Liters + number of cylinders
The first two digits stand for the displacement in liters, the last one for the number of cylinders.
- Dino 206 GT – 1987 cm³ = 2.0 liters · 6 cylinders
- Dino 246 GT / Dino 246 GTS – 2419 cm³ = 2.4 liters · 6 cylinders
- Dino / Ferrari 308 GT4 – 2900 cm³ = 2.9 liters · 8 cylinders
- Ferrari 208 GT4 – 2000 cm³ = 2.0 liters · 8 cylinders
- Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS / 308 GTBi/GTSi – 2900 cm³ = 2.9 liters · 8 cylinders
Liters + 12 cylinders
The first digit stands for the displacement in liters, the “12” for the twelve cylinders.
- Ferrari BB 512 – 4900 cm³ = 4.9 liters · 12 cylinders
- Ferrari BB 512i – 4900 cm³ = 4.9 liters · 12 cylinders
- Ferrari 512 TR – 4900 cm³ = 4.9 liters · 12 cylinders
- Ferrari F512 M – 4900 cm³ = 4.9 liters · 12 cylinders
- Ferrari 612 Scaglietti – 5700 cm³ = 5.7 liters · 12 cylinders
Displacement alone
The number is the displacement in liters, multiplied by one hundred.
- Ferrari 400 Superamerica – 3967 cm³ = 3.97 liters
- Ferrari 500 Superfast – 4963 cm³ = 4.96 liters
- Ferrari F355 – 3500 cm³ = 3.50 liters
- Ferrari 550 Maranello – 5500 cm³ = 5.50 liters
- Ferrari 360 Modena – 3586 cm³ = 3.59 liters
Counted are series-production models whose data sheet gives the displacement. Many names follow no number pattern.
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