Ferrari 625 TF

The Ferrari 625 TF, introduced in 1953, marked Ferrari's first foray into four-cylinder closed-wheel sports racers. It resembled the Vignale-designed 250 MM spyder in many aspects but was powered by a 2.5 L straight-4 engine from the 625 F1 car, instead of the 250's 3.0 L V12. Compact in size, the 625 TF had the same 2,250 mm wheelbase as the 250 but was even lighter, weighing just 730 kg. The engine, producing 220 hp at 7,000 rpm, enabled the car to reach speeds over 240 km/h. The 625 TF made its racing debut with Mike Hawthorn at Monza on June 29, 1953. Despite its inability to match competitors on longer straights, Hawthorn managed to finish fourth in its first race. A unique aspect of the 625 TF's history involves a single closed berlinetta version, one of the last Ferraris designed and constructed by Vignale. According to Giulio Vignale, this particular model was destroyed in a fire. There is some speculation that it might have been rebodied as a Spyder by Scaglietti in 1954, although this remains unconfirmed.