LAMPREDI’S INLINE-FOUR The rise of Ferrari’s inline-four-cylinder sports-racers during the mid-1950s is one of the marque’s least-heralded chapters, yet one of its most fascinating.

During Formula Two competition in 1950, Enzo Ferrari was startled to notice that the four-cylinder cars from other marques were nipping at the heels of his V-12-powered steeds.

He soon realized that the four-cylinder engines peaked at a lower rpm band than the 12-cylinder cars, enabling them to maximize their potential noticeably faster than the high-revving V-12 Ferraris.

Aware of the inherent challenge posed by winding courses that lacked long straightaways, Ferrari assigned Aurelio Lampredi to develop a four-cylinder motor, which eventually debuted during the 1951 Bari Grand Prix as a 2.5-liter unit developing 200 horsepower.

Il Commendatore’s foresight proved to be quite prudent.

By the start of the 1952 season, the once-formidable Alfa Corse team had faded, withdrawing from racing prior to the sta...