[2] It was developed to compete in the 1956 edition of Mille Miglia as a successor to the 860 Monza, hence the acronym "MM", and four cars were built.

[3] In order to counter the new challenge presented by Mercedes-Benz in 1955 as the Mercedes racing team won both the World Sports Car Championship, the RAC Tourist Trophy and the Targa Florio in the same year, Ferrari set out to develop a new race car for the 1956 motorsports season called the 290 MM.

Displacement was 3,490 cc (3.5 L; 213.0 cu in) with a maximum power output of 320 PS (316 hp; 235 kW) at 7,200 rpm, and a rated top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph).

[9][10] Phil Hill and Maurice Trintignant also won the Swedish Grand Prix of that year, granting Ferrari the overall victory in the 1956 World Sportscar Championship.

The following year, in 1957, a 290 MM (converted from an 860 Monza), won the 1000 km Buenos Aires driven by Wolfgang von Trips, Alfonso de Portago and Eugenio Castellotti.