The Ferrari 553 was a racing car produced by Ferrari which raced in 1953 (when the World Championship was run to F2 regulations) as a Formula Two car and in 1954 as a Formula One car.

Ferrari 553
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorFerrari
Predecessor500
Successor625/D50
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisSingle-seater, tubular frame
Axle trackFront: 1,278 mm (50.3 in)
Rear: 1,250 mm (49 in)
Wheelbase2,160 mm (85 in)
EngineLampredi 1,984.86 cc (121.1 cu in) (1953)
2,497.56 cc (152.4 cu in) (1954) L4 naturally aspirated, front engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionFerrari 4-speed manual
Weight590 kg (1,300 lb)
FuelShell
TyresPirelli
Competition history
Notable entrantsScuderia Ferrari
Notable driversItaly Giuseppe Farina
United Kingdom Mike Hawthorn
Argentina Jose Froilan Gonzalez
Debut1953 Italian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
6100
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

553 F1

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The 1953 553 F2 car was raced in the 1953 World Drivers' Championship by Umberto Maglioli and Piero Carini. It was first raced at Monza in the 1953 Italian Grand Prix on September 13, 1953.[2] In 1954 the Ferrari 553 F1 car replaced it when the World Championship returned to F1 specifications.

The car competed in six World Championship Grands Prix over the two seasons, making ten individual entries. Its only points finishing position was a win for Mike Hawthorn at the 1954 Spanish Grand Prix.

The engine was a Lampredi inline-four, producing 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) at 7200 rpm, from 2497.56 cc of total capacity. Because of the distinctive rounded bodywork and air-intake it was nicknamed Squalo, meaning Shark in Italian.[3]

555 F1

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In 1955, Ferrari updated their existing 553 F1 car. New helical springs were used for the front suspension, instead of the transverse leaf-springs. The rear saw the replacement of a lower leaf-spring to an upper one. It also received a five-speed gearbox instead of a four-speed. It used the same capacity as before and the power output also remained the same.

Because of the extended, rounded bodywork it was further nicknamed as a Supersqualo (Super shark). The car was first used at the Bordeaux GP on 24 April 1955. In 1956, Peter Collins was still using the 555 F1, whilst the rest of the Scuderia drove the Lancia-Ferrari D50.[4]

Technical data

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Technical data[5] 553 Squalo 555 Super Squalo
Engine:  Front mounted 4-cylinder in-line engine
displacement 2498 cm³
Bore x stroke:  100 x 79.5 mm
Compression 13.0:1 11.9:1
Max power at rpm:  260 hp at 7 200 rpm
Valve control:  Double Overhead Camshafts, 2 valves per cylinder
Carburetor 2 Weber 50 DCOA/3
Gearbox 4-speed manual, transaxle 5-speed manual, transaxle
suspension front:  Double cross links, transverse leaf spring Double cross links, coil springs
suspension rear:  De Dion axle, double longitudinal links, transverse leaf spring
Brakes Hydraulic drum brakes
Chassis & body Fackverks frame with aluminum body
wheelbase 216 cm
Dry weight 590 kg
Top speed:  280 km/h
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Formula One World Championship results

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(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1953 Scuderia Ferrari 553 Ferrari 553 2.0 L4 P ARG 500 NED BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA
Umberto Maglioli 8
Piero Carini Ret
1954 Scuderia Ferrari 553 Ferrari 554 2.5 L4 P ARG 500 BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA ESP
Giuseppe Farina Ret WD
José Froilán González Ret Ret Ret
Mike Hawthorn Ret 1
Umberto Maglioli 7
Robert Manzon DNS
Maurice Trintignant Ret
1955 Scuderia Ferrari 555 Ferrari 555 2.5 L4 E ARG MON 500 BEL NED GBR ITA
Harry Schell Ret
Paul Frère 82 4
Piero Taruffi 82 DNS
Giuseppe Farina 3
Maurice Trintignant 6 Ret 8
Eugenio Castellotti 5 3
Mike Hawthorn 7 Ret
Umberto Maglioli 6
1956 Scuderia Ferrari 555 Ferrari 555 2.5 L4
Ferrari DS50 2.5 V8
E ARG MON 500 BEL FRA GBR GER ITA
Peter Collins Ret
Olivier Gendebien 5
Source:[1][6][7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ferrari 553". Stats F1. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Ferrari 553 F2". formula1.ferrari.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Ferrari 553 F1". formula1.ferrari.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Ferrari 555 F1". formula1.ferrari.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  5. ^ "ferrari.com". Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  6. ^ Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. pp. 94, 136, 161, 179, 239 and 244. ISBN 0851127029.
  7. ^ "Ferrari 555". StatsF1. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
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