Description
The Ferrari 159 S, built and raced in 1947, was the second car to bear the Ferrari name and played a crucial role in establishing the foundations of the marque’s future success in motorsport and road car development. It followed closely on the heels of the Ferrari 125 S, which had debuted earlier that same year. While similar in overall design and intent, the 159 S featured key improvements in engine capacity and performance, making it an important step in the evolution of Ferrari’s early engineering philosophy.
Like its predecessor, the 159 S was a pure racing machine, designed with one goal in mind: to prove Ferrari’s engineering on the racetrack. It was powered by a 1.9-litre (1,901 cc) version of Gioachino Colombo’s now-legendary V12 engine. This engine had been enlarged from the original 1.5-litre unit in the 125 S, and the displacement increase allowed the 159 S to produce approximately 125 horsepower—an impressive figure for the time, especially in a car weighing less than 700 kilograms. The engine was paired with a five-speed manual transmission and mounted in a steel tube-frame chassis with independent front suspension and a live rear axle.
The bodywork of the 159 S was minimalist and functional, shaped by Touring of Milan in the barchetta style—open-topped, with flowing fenders and a compact, low-slung profile. It was not designed for aesthetic refinement but for weight savings and aerodynamic efficiency, reflecting the competitive mindset that defined Enzo Ferrari’s vision for his early cars.
The 159 S made its debut in the 1947 Circuito di Pescara, where it secured a significant victory with Franco Cortese at the wheel. This win was an early affirmation of Ferrari’s capabilities and ambition, helping to solidify the brand’s reputation as a serious competitor in the post-war European racing scene. Though the car had a brief racing career and was soon replaced by more advanced models, the 159 S laid critical groundwork for the development of Ferrari’s future sports and Grand Prix machines.
Today, the Ferrari 159 S is a priceless part of the company’s history, representing the earliest days of Enzo Ferrari’s quest for engineering excellence and competitive dominance. Though only one example was built, and its original chassis has been lost to time, the car’s legacy lives on as a symbol of the bold, innovative spirit that gave rise to the Ferrari legend.