Born in Legnano, Colombo began work as an apprentice to Vittorio Jano at Alfa Romeo. In 1937, he designed the 158 engine for the Alfetta and caught the attention of Enzo Ferrari, who asked Colombo to design a small V12 for his Ferrarimarque's racing and road cars. The first Ferrari-Colombo engine appeared on 11 May 1947. Colombo's most successful work for Ferrari was a tiny 1.5 litre V12, first used in the Tipo 125, 159, and then 166sports cars. This engine, also known as the "Colombo engine", was produced for road cars and endurance racing cars for more than 40 years in displacements up to 4.8 L. These included the 3.0 litre Ferrari 250 racing, sports, and GT cars.
Colombo's engine was not as successful in Formula One racing. After stunning early success in the 166, the engine was supercharged for use in Formula One but failed to perform well. Unsatisfied with the results, Ferrari brought in fellow designer Aurelio Lampredi to create a large naturally aspirated V12, which replaced Colombo's.
Colombo left Ferrari in 1950 and returned to Alfa Romeo, where he oversaw that company's racing efforts - including the Formula One World Championship success that year of Nino Farina and, in 1951, of Juan-Manuel Fangio. In late 1952, Colombo moved on to Maserati where he created the 250FGrand Prix car. Two years later, Colombo headed to newly restarted Bugatti to work on the 251. He then worked for MV Agusta in 1957-1970.[2]
