CMC Lancia D50, 1954-1955
Lancia had a reputation of featuring cutting-edge innovations, not only in its motor sport but also street-worthy models. Somehow the D50 was a borderline case, as Gianni Lancia allowed Vittorio Jano all the freedom to design the first ever Formula One racecar from Lancia. The revolutionary and state of the art design of the D50 promised well for its bid to honor and fame. But after the tragic loss of Ascari, Gianni Lancia turned away from the motor sports for a long time.
$ 600.00
MODEL DESCRIPTION
- Metal precision model hand-built from 1,598 parts
- Detachable and lockable engine hood
- Hinged adjustable screen
- Realistic replica of the V8 engine complete with pipes and cabling
- Metal exhaust pipes
- Triangular steering axle with shock absorbers, front suspension with
- wishbones, transverse leaf spring, all made of metal
- Rear suspension with De-Dion-tube, transverse leaf spring, longitudinal arms and inboard dampers, all made of metal
- Radiator grille hand-made of stainless steel with metal supports
- Highly-detailed replication of the cooling system
- Highly-detailed fuel and oil circulation
- Authentically-replicated hinged fuel caps
- Authentically-replicated hinged oil-filler cap
- Upholstered leather-covered driver seat and head rest
- Perfectly-crafted wheels with stainless-steel spokes and nipples on an alloy rim
- Authentically-replicated central locking nuts with right-/left-handed threads
- Elegant finish with a brilliant paint in original color
Special feature as accessory: Booster-Trolley with separate assist-start device
HISTORY (ORIGINAL VEHICLE)
„Long live the revolutionary spirit!”
The design of the D50 was master-minded by Vittorio Jano with revolutionary innovations to cope with the new rules imposed on Grand Prix racing. Among its characteristic features were a transaxle that lowered the center of gravity significantly, a light-weight compact V8 engine with a 90° cylinder angle and four overhead camshafts, and aerodynamically-shaped pannier fuel tanks. To get the drive shaft, which was rotating in concert with the crankshaft revolution, to bypass the driver cabin, the engine was tilted off the longitudinal axis by 12° to the left. The gearbox was mounted transversally just in front of the de Dion rear axle. These were ground-breaking features that made the D50 one of a kind.
Lancia´s ambitious Formula One project soon caught the attention of big shots in the racing world. Alberto Ascari, a two-time world champion from the years before signed to drive for Lancia. Luigi Villoresi, another outstanding driver, joined the Lancia team. In 1955, more well-known pilots were added to the team, including Eugenio Castellotti.
On Oct. 24, 1954, the Lancia D50 made its debut at the last event of the racing season – the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Alberto Ascari took pole position in qualifying and accomplished the fastest race lap with 2.18 min, but a clutch failure forced him to retire in the 9th of the 80 laps. The revolutionary spirit started gloriously, but it came to an abrupt end – at least for that season.
No other Lancia automobile had ever caused such an emotional stir in competition and among the public, not to mention its lasting impact on the company’s fortunes. With the demise of Alberto Ascari shortly afterwards, the costs from the development of the D50 and the pursuit of victories in prestigious Grand Prix racing proved to be too much for Gianni Lancia to bear.
The racing team, together with the D50 fleet, was handed over to Enzo Ferrari in 1955, and Lancia’s motorsport activities were discontinued for almost a decade.
TECHNICAL DATA (ORIGINAL VEHICLE)
- Monoposto built on a tubular frame with free-standing wheels
- 2.5-litre V8 engine as a stressed member of the chassis
- Two valves per cylinder controlled by two overhead camshafts
- Dry sump oil lubrication
- Mixture preparation with four Solex PII double carburettors
- Dual ignition (two plugs per cylinder)
- Five-speed manual gearbox installed behind the driver
| Bore x stroke: | 73.6 x 73.1 mm |
| Displacement: | 2,488 cc |
| Maximum output: | 260 HP at 8,000 rpm |
| Top speed: | 300 Km/h (depending on ratio) |
| Wheelbase: | 2,280 mm |
| Track front/rear: | 1,294 / 1,330 mm |
| Total length: | 3,570 mm |
| Total width: | 1,600 mm |
| Total height: | 1,001 mm |
| Curb weight: | 620 kg |
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The use of manufacturers’ names, symbols, type designations, and/or descriptions is solely for reference purposes. It does not imply that the CMC scale model is a product of any of these manufacturers.
The use of racing term and/or driver names, symbols, starting numbers, and/or descriptions is solely for reference purposes. Unless otherwise stated, it does not imply that the CMC scale model is a product of any of these racing teams/drivers or endorsed by any of them.
