• Type 
    Automobilia
  • Lot number 
    16
  • Location
    United Kingdom

Description

SPECIFICATIONS
2,417 CC DOHC V-6 Engine
Mechanical Fuel Injection
280 BHP at 8,500 RPM

RACE HIGHLIGHTS
XV Gran Premio di Siracusa, Italy, 1966, Bandini, No. 14 (2nd)
XXIV Grand Prix Automobile de Monaco, 1966, Bandini, No. 16 (2nd, Fastest Lap)
XXVI Grand Prix de Belgique, 1966, Bandini, No. 7 (3rd)
XXVIII Grosser Preis von Deutschland, Scarfiotti, No. 11 (DNF)
XXXVII Gran Premio d’Italia, Baghetti, No. 44 (DNF)

At the end of 1965, the small 1.5-liter engine capacity limit, which had been the standard in Formula 1 since 1961, increased to three liters in an effort to bring more power to formula racing. Ferrari immediately began constructing a new three-liter V-12 engine for the following season and completed it ahead of schedule in December 1965.

With time on its hands, Ferrari began work on another project – this bespoke 2.5-liter, V-6 engine, stamped 228 N.1. It was developed for then-world champion John Surtees to use in the Tasman Series in New Zealand and Australia, where regulations stipulated a capacity limit of 2.5 liters. Unfortunately, the custom-built engine never made it Down Under, as Surtees crashed in an earlier Can-Am event and had to recover over the winter.

Upon his return to the cockpit, Surtees tested this V-6 engine (228 N.1) – fitted in chassis 158-006 – at Modena. He subsequently tested Ferrari’s new three-liter V-12, which turned out to be 2.5 seconds slower. Further behind than expected in the development of its three-liter powerplant, Ferrari utilized this smaller-capacity V-6 engine in a number of races during the 1966 season, including races at Siracusa, Monaco, and Spa.

At Siracusa, for the first European three-liter F1 event, race car driver Lorenzo Bandini qualified driving the 158/246, using this engine, and was second-quickest behind Surtees’ Ferrari 312. Bandini led briefly and finished 2nd behind his team leader. At the Monaco Grand Prix, Bandini qualified using the three-liter variant, but opted to use this smaller V-6 (228 N.1) for the race and scored a fantastic 2nd place, breaking the lap record and beating pole man Jim Clark’s qualifying time. A further podium finish in the Belgian Grand Prix for Bandini, which he briefly led, and retirements for both Ludovico Scarfiotti and Giancarlo Baghetti in the German and Italian Grands Prix respectively, completed this impressive engine’s period race history.

With Ferrari now on top of its three-liter engine development, 228 N.1 was retired from active service. The Ferrari engine and chassis 158-006 passed into the famed Bardinon collection and was subsequently acquired by the equally revered Setton collection.

When 158-006 was returned to 1.5-liter specification, 228 N.1 was removed from the car and passed into the collection of the current owner some 42 years ago.

This jewel of an engine is recognizable in period photos thanks to the unique trumpet layout extruding from the engine cover. With its stampings visible for inspection, this Ferrari 246 F1-66 Tipo 228 V-6 engine presents an opportunity unheard of in modern times: to acquire a significant piece of Ferrari’s 1966 Formula 1 story.


Gooding & Company
1517 20th Street
Santa Monica  90404  California
United States
Contact Person Kontaktperson
First name 
Gooding & Company

Phone 
+1 (310) 899-1960