About Ferrari 159 S
After the successful Ferrari 125 S on the race tracks, the Italian car manufacturer went even further and created the 159 S, which was an evolution of its predecessor.
Built to win races, the 159 S was produced in just two units, just like the 125 S. But there were a few details that distinguished the two models one from the other. The car didn't just have a bigger, more powerful engine. It also sported a different bodywork, albeit it relied on the same chassis.
Gioacchino Colombo was, again, responsible for designing the new model, just like the previous model. Yet, he noticed that the car needed a wider bodywork with the wheels completely covered by fenders so the driver won't get hit by dirt and small stone thrown by the front tires. While it enlarged the front fascia, Colombo also added additional air intakes in front of the car, flanking the main grille to cool the brakes. In addition, the engine compartment received more vents on the sides, behind the fenders, that extracted the heat produced by the engine. The manufacturer also noticed that the doors were not needed for such a roadster, so the 159 S didn't have any.
The cockpit could accommodate two occupants: the driver and the helper. In long-distance races, the navigator was essential for winning races. When raced on closed circuits, though, the car sported only one seat, thus reducing the vehicle's weight. The 159 S was designed and built as a race car, and the main dial on the dashboard was the tachometer placed right in front of the driver.
Colombo modified the engine from the 125 S and increased its bore and stroke, resulting in a 2-liter V12 engine. It was fed by three Webber-32DCF and produced seven more ponies than its predecessor. There were only two vehicles produced, and later on, a 159 S was transformed and evolved into the 166 S that raced at the famous Mille Miglia in Italy.