Ermini 357 Sport

The Ermini 357 Sport Scaglietti, completed in 1955, represents the terminal stage of development in Officine Ermini’s small-displacement sports prototype program. It was constructed on a tubular steel chassis supplied by Gilco, a firm that also provided frames to Ferrari during the same period. The chassis featured a wheelbase optimized for weight distribution and torsional rigidity, suitable for both open-road endurance events and closed-circuit competition. The power unit was an in-house Ermini four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1,431 cubic centimetres. The engine block and head were cast and machined in Florence, incorporating twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, and twin-plug ignition. Lubrication was by dry sump, and fuelling was managed by twin Weber carburetors. Power output was approximately 120 horsepower at 7,500 rpm, yielding a specific output of over 80 horsepower per litre—exceptional for the class at the time. The transmission was a four-speed manual gearbox, driving a live rear axle located by semi-elliptic leaf springs and hydraulic dampers. The front suspension consisted of independent wishbones with coil springs. Drum brakes were fitted at all four corners, with finned aluminium housings to aid in thermal dissipation. Total weight was estimated at just under 600 kilograms, resulting in favourable power-to-weight and handling characteristics in period competition. Bodywork was executed in aluminium by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. The design followed the barchetta format, with a minimal wraparound windscreen, integrated cycle fenders, and flush body surfaces. No additional aerodynamic devices were employed; airflow management relied entirely on the proportions and curvature of the panel work. Three chassis are believed to have received Scaglietti coachwork. Chassis 1855 is the best-documented example, participating in the 1956 and 1957 Mille Miglia and later exported to North America by Tony Pompeo. It has since been restored to original mechanical specification and continues to appear in historic motoring events. The Ermini 357 Sport Scaglietti is significant not for its production volume or commercial reach, but as a technical exercise in lightweight construction, small-displacement powertrain engineering, and Modenese coachbuilding integration within a limited series competition framework.