- Founded
- 1939 – 1940
- Founder
- Enzo Ferrari
- Headquarters
- Modena, Italy
After leaving Alfa Romeo in 1939, Enzo Ferrari was contractually unable to use his own name for a new racing operation. He established Auto Avio Costruzioni at the former Scuderia Ferrari premises in Modena to make machine tools and aircraft-related components. A December 1939 commission from Lotario Rangoni for cars for himself and Alberto Ascari produced the Tipo 815, named for its eight-cylinder 1.5-litre engine. Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani engineered two Fiat-derived chassis with a bespoke AAC straight-eight, while Touring made exceptionally light alloy barchetta bodies. Both led the 1,500 cc class during the April 1940 Brescia Grand Prix before mechanical retirement. War stopped development. Chassis 020 was eventually destroyed; 021 survives. Ferrari's separate public marque began with the 125 S in 1947, so the 815 is not double-counted there.
Text adapted from “Auto Avio Costruzioni” on Wikipedia ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗