A quick search of past topics brought up a few discussions on Englebert tyres in Grand Prix racing, but little reference to sportscar racing and Le Mans in particular.
I have a picture in one of my books of Castellotti sitting in front of his Ferrari 750 Monza at Le Mans in 1955 that clearly shows it ran on Englebert tyres. I also have a 1:43 model of Bianchi's 1956 Ferrari 500TR that has Englebert tyres, while a picture of the winning Ferrari 250 TR from 1958 appears to show Englebert tyres.
When did Ferrari start to use Englebert tyres on Sportscars. I read elswhere in this forum that they alternated between Pirelli and other brands in Grand Prix racing up until 1954 when Pirreli changed it's policy on paying retainers. Did this apply to Sportscars as well ? How much influence did Enzo have over the type of tyres run by customer teams ?
How long did Ferrari continue to use Englebert tyres, and how many of its Le Mans victories from the '50's and '60's were achieved on Engleberts ?
Englebert & Ferrari at LeMans in the '50's & '60's
Started by
Jager
, Apr 01 2007 02:42
2 replies to this topic
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#2
raceannouncer2003
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Posted 01 April 2007 - 03:40
According to this website, Scuderia Ferrari used Pirelli to win Le Mans in 1954, then used Englebert from 1955 to 1958, including a win the last year. Then on to Dunlop in 1959.
http://www.mcestoril...ns/index_gb.php
As for customer teams at Le Mans in that period, 13 out of 19 used Engleberts...none in 1955, 2 out 3 in 1956, 5 out of 6 in 1957, and 6 out of 8 in 1958. Others used Dunlops, except for one which used Pirelli. "How much influence did Enzo have...?" Don't know. Were Engleberts "standard equpment" on a customer Testa Rossa in those days? I remember Engleberts being used extensively here in the Northwest U.S. and B.C. in that era, eg, Pete Lovely in 500TR in 1957 and 500TRC in 1958 as confirmed by photos in Martin Rudow's book.
Vince Howlett, Victoria, B.C., Canada
http://www.mcestoril...ns/index_gb.php
As for customer teams at Le Mans in that period, 13 out of 19 used Engleberts...none in 1955, 2 out 3 in 1956, 5 out of 6 in 1957, and 6 out of 8 in 1958. Others used Dunlops, except for one which used Pirelli. "How much influence did Enzo have...?" Don't know. Were Engleberts "standard equpment" on a customer Testa Rossa in those days? I remember Engleberts being used extensively here in the Northwest U.S. and B.C. in that era, eg, Pete Lovely in 500TR in 1957 and 500TRC in 1958 as confirmed by photos in Martin Rudow's book.
Vince Howlett, Victoria, B.C., Canada
#3
D-Type
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Posted 01 April 2007 - 23:08
I think part of Ferrari's deal with Englebert was that he would supply Engleberts as standard equipment on production cars, which would include customer Testa Rossas.
After that, it would be up to the owner what he fitted. Obviously if there was no strong preference, or sponsorship considerations, then an owner would replace like with like.
After that, it would be up to the owner what he fitted. Obviously if there was no strong preference, or sponsorship considerations, then an owner would replace like with like.
