Was it Ettore who instigated the Type 53? Or Jean? I think i'st more likely that Jean was the driving force behind the four wheel drive (of course this is pure my speculation).

Since Jean was maturing and getting more experienced in the trade of building cars, his influence was getting stronger and stronger. I think it was Jeans influence to start investigating a twin cam design. The fact that they didn't start from scratch like (I think) Ettore would have done, but bought the two Millers and almost literally copied the twin cam head design leads me to think it was Jean.

Also, a lot of design work on the Type 53 was done by Italian engineer Pichetto. I think this car was conceived by from Jeans and Pichetto, and Ettore probably "tolerated" it rather then instigate it. Jean was more open minded and progressive then Ettore.

Regards, Jeroen