Ferrari 315 S
motor vehicle
The Ferrari 315 S is a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1957. The model served as the replacement of the Ferrari 290 MM, which had won the 1956 Mille Miglia and was an effort to dethrone the ever powerful Maserati 450S.
Development
The 315 S employed a front mounted evolution of the 60° Jano V12 engine with two valves per cylinder, six Weber 42 DCN carburettors and four chain-driven overhead camshafts, for a total displacement of 3,783.40 cc (3.8 L). Maximum power output was rated to 360 PS (265 kW; 355 hp) at 7,800 rpm in addition to an increase in power output, the engine was also 9 kg (20 lb) lighter than its previous iteration. This allowed for an estimated top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph).
Competition history
The Ferrari 315 S drivers took the first two positions at the 1957 Mille Miglia in the hands of Piero Taruffi which ended up being the final race of his career, followed by Wolfgang von Trips. In addition the 315 S finished sixth and seventh at Sebring, third at the Nürburgring and fifth at Le Mans but was then largely replaced by the 335 S. The victory of a Ferrari 335 S in Venezuela and the retirement of the Maseratis granted Ferrari the World Sports Car Championship in 1957.
The change in regulations for the World Sports Car championship to a 3-litre engine limit for 1958 meant the 315 S was replaced by the 250 Testa Rossa.
Production Numbers
Only one unit of the 315 S was built from scratch with two converted from a 290 S and 290 MM. They are as follows:
1. Chassis 0656. Originally a 290 S at Buenos Aires in January 1957, upgraded to 315 S for the May Nürburgring race and later repaired by the factory with pontoon fenders when raced in the US.
2.
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