Ferrari 125 S represents the historic genesis of the legendary Italian automaker when it debuted on May 11, 1947, at the Piacenza racing circuit in Modena, Italy. As the very first vehicle to bear the Ferrari name, only two examples of this pioneering 1.5-liter sports car were ever produced.
Although preceded by Enzo Ferrari's Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 of 1940, the 125 S broke new ground by featuring a completely in-house designed and built Gioacchino Colombo V12 engine. This high-revving 1.5-liter power plant produced 118 horsepower and set a technical blueprint that defined most Ferrari road and racing cars for decades.
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SubscribeThe car utilized a robust steel tube-frame chassis paired with double wishbone front suspension, transverse leaf springs, a live rear axle, and hydraulic power drum brakes. Power was efficiently channeled through an advanced five-speed manual transmission designed to exploit the engine's dynamic power curves.
Despite failing to finish its maiden outing in Piacenza while showing strong pace against rival Maserati cars, the 125 S claimed Ferrari's historic first victory just two weeks later at the Grand Prix of Rome on the Terme di Caracalla Circuit.
Racing Legacy and Historic Chassis Restoration
Racing heritage defined the early chapters of the 125 S as it captured six victories out of fourteen races during its competitive 1947 campaign under drivers like Franco Cortese. These early successes established the competitive DNA of the Prancing Horse on European racing circuits.
Intriguing historical debates have surrounded the surviving chassis of the 125 S, particularly serial number 010I, which historians and enthusiasts link to extensive restoration histories and second-hand modifications. Such discoveries highlight the complex and colorful archival journey of early automotive manufacturing.
One of the original surviving examples found a permanent home within the prestigious vault on the lowest level of the Petersen Automotive Museum in California. This preserved specimen continues to draw global fascination from automotive historians and dedicated enthusiasts alike.
The enduring legacy of the 125 S transcends its limited production numbers, serving as the monumental cornerstone upon which Ferrari built its global reputation for engineering excellence and motorsport dominance.