Gianni Lancia appointed Vittorio Jano to design a sportscar for Lancia. While at Alfa Romeo, Jano had designed some of the finest racing cars ever constructed and in his new job he did not disappoint. Jano took the advantages of the V-engine to make a V-8 for Lancia's first ever Grand Prix car in 1954. In good Lancia and Jano tradition, the new 'D50' Formula 1 racer was unlike anything else on the grid at its debut in the Spanish Grand Prix. Alberto Ascari stunned the gathered crowd and the other competitors by claiming the pole position.
The D50 had all its weight concentrated between the wheels and a very low centre of gravity. The key element of the D50 was the all new DOHC V8 engine, which was shorter than the straight six or eight engines used by Maserati and Mercedes-Benz. Its squarish dimensions also made it possible for the engine to be load bearing part of the spaceframe chassis. The engine was angled at 12 degrees to allow the propshaft to pass left of the driver's seat. Fitted as an integral part of the rear axle was the five speed gearbox, improving the weight balance.
One of the most unusual features of the D50 were the fuel and oil tanks, which were mounted in two big panniers between the wheels. Traditionally the fuel was carried in big tank behind the rear axle. In this location the fuel load affected the handling of the car, which conflicted with Jano's quest for balance. As a side effect, airflow was also improved by the panniers. At the front the D50 was suspended by tubular double wishbones and the rear a common DeDion axle was fitted. Braking was taken care off by four finned and drilled drum outboard brakes.
Ascari started 1955 off on a high with two victories in two pre-season Italian races. At the Monaco Grand Prix, he was about to take the lead when he crashed out and plunged into the harbour. Unfortunately this remains the Lancia D50's main claim to fame. Ascari survived, only to be killed testing a Ferrari sports car.
Without a lead driver the Formula 1 project was sold off to Ferrari.
Author: ArchitectPage
Paul Frere in a D50
