Auto Avio 815

The story of the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 is a captivating tale that underscores its pivotal role in the Italian automotive landscape during World War II and the early post-war years. Designed in 1940 by Alberto Massimino in collaboration with Vittorio Bellentani, the 815 marked Enzo Ferrari’s first independent foray into automobile manufacturing, though legal constraints prevented him from using the Ferrari name due to ongoing disputes with Alfa Romeo. At its heart was a groundbreaking 1.5-liter V8 engine, created by combining two Fiat engines, giving rise to its name “815” denoting the combined displacement. This technical innovation was complemented by elegant and aerodynamic bodywork crafted by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, known as the “Torpedino Brescia,” fashioned from Itallumag 35, an aluminum-magnesium alloy. The body, weighing a mere 54 kg (119 lb), contributed to the car’s overall lightweight construction, tipping the scales at 625 kg (1,378 lb) and enabling a top speed close to 170 km/h (110 mph). The 815 made its official debut on April 28, 1940, at the Gran Premio di Brescia (Mille Miglia), piloted by two teams: Rangoni-Nardi and Ascari-Minozzi. Despite encountering technical issues leading to their withdrawal, the car demonstrated promise, particularly in the sports category up to 1500 cc. Ferrari’s contractual obligations with Alfa Romeo restricted him from marketing the car under his own name until 1943, coinciding with the development of the Ferrari 125 S, widely regarded as Ferrari’s first true automobile and the spiritual successor to the 815. During World War II, the 815 participated in several races without notable success. Post-war, one of the two models met an unfortunate end, while the other, the “short tail” version, found its way into the private collection of Mario Righini in Panzano, Castelfranco Emilia, where it remains to this day. The fate of the second 815 model is more mysterious: reportedly owned by Marquis Lotario Rangoni Machiavelli, it was allegedly consigned to a scrapyard by his brother, Rolando Rangoni Machiavelli. However, in 1958, Domenico Gentili discovered remnants of the car still intact at a scrapyard. Enzo Ferrari himself confirmed its identity, but efforts to salvage it proved futile. Ultimately, one 815 was scrapped, and the other survives in the Righini Collection as a testament to Ferrari’s early engineering prowess and its enduring legacy in the annals of automotive history. These events imbue the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 with a unique allure, highlighting its pioneering contributions to Italian sports car evolution and its integral role in Ferrari’s iconic emergence.