Ferrari engine angled left-front towards right-rear...why?

[tim-b]

I was at the Brands Hatch Superprix at the weekend, and while nosing around the paddock I noticed that the carb stacks of the lovely Ferrari Dino 246 (the F1 car, 1960) weren't centred. Then I saw the transmission tunnel was running diagonally through the cockpit! I'm curious to know why this is, is it just for packaging reasons? I found this article on the car which mentions it but doesn't explain why, any info would be appreciated!

TIA!

[Huff]

AFAIK it wasn't alone, there were a few contemporary cars where the propshaft was offset to one side (along with the diff, whose pinion was often darn nigh under the seat) so that the driver could sit lower/reduce frontal area.

All rendered obsolete when the mid-engine layout really took hold.