MOTORSPORT TRIVIA - Q32 & 33

Q32. Who designed the Ferrari V8 engine used by John Surtees in 1964?

Q33. What was special about the Alfa 512, when did development cease on it and when did it first race?

Answer to Q33.

It was a mid-engined design. Was designed by spanish engineer Wifredo P.Ricart (later alma-mater of Pegaso sports cars), and never actually raced. The outbreak of WW2 marked the finish of the development of the car.

Right about just about all, Jarama, except...

Those wonderful Italians, who obviously had their hearts and minds in the right place, continued development of the cars well into World War II, while the rest of Europe was knocking seven bells out of each other.

In an interview in 1986 (I dig deep for answers to these questions), Consalvo Sanesi reported that the cars were not finally put away until 1943!

The story has done the rounds that the Alfa Romeos were stored for safe keeping in a cheese factory. Not true according to Sanesi. It was a boatbuilders hut and a lingerie factory.

I do so love the Italians...

Good stuff, chaps. Especially Tim pointing out about the end of development - I don't think any other country could have got away with that so late in WW2.

Next questions...

Sorry... scatter brain this week. Been busy, don'tcha know.

Answer to Q32 is:

:::: Angelo Bellei ::::