What do all of the numbers mean??

For starters, with V-8's from the 308 to the 348, the 1st 2 digits represents the total engine displacement in deciliter & the 3rd digit is # of Cyl.. After that (355 to 430), the 3 digits represent the total engine displacement (3.55 ltr - 4.30 ltr). The 458 nomenclature returned back to the earlier days.
With the 60 degree V-12 GT cars (300/365/400/412/456 & so on), the 3 digits represent the displacement of a single cylinder (in cc's). Whereas the 180 degree V-12 (512 Boxer) the 1st digit is total engine displacement in liters with the last 2 digits represent the # of cyl..

 

add F40 = 40th anniversary, F50=50th anniversary of Ferrari

Jedi

 

Good one!

 

The 355 was a special case: The first two digits were the displacement (3.5 liters) and the third digit was for 5 valves per cylinder.

 

355 = 3.5 litres 5 valves per cylinder
360 = 3.6 litres but had to avoid reusing 365 from the late 1960 front engined V12s
430 = 4.3 litres--could have gone back to 438 but for some reason did not

 

A Ferrari anomaly.

 

Are any of you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?
I'm thinkin' that they were in a search for a new #ing system & finally scratched when the 458 rolled out.

 

As best as I can remember the total discplacement and cylinder count started with the 206 Dino engine, then 246 Dino -- which are 2.0l and 2.4l V6s. Prior cars all used the the V12 system of ccs per cylinder ( such as the 750 Monza -- a four cylinder car.)

Then, of course, there was the Enzo Ferrari and FXX and now the California, which Ferrari felt didn't need numbers.

 

Represents the 5990 cm3 displacement

 

Except the 400 and 500 Superfasts which were 4 liter and 5 liter engines respectively. As usual with Ferrari as soon as you think there is a logical rule, they will confound you by changing the rule.

Dave

 

However the 180 degree V12 365 BB remained on the 60 degree V12 scheme.

 

See? It's all very simple and consistent!



Jedi

 

Or to put it another way:


See? It's all very Italian!