1967 FERRARI 330 P4 (CHASSIS #0858)
One of the last Ferrari prototypes that still resembled a sports car, the 330 P4 hit the world sports car stage during one of its most exciting eras. Pitted against the Ford GT40 programme, which had beaten Ferrari at Le Mans in 1965, this V12 powered prancing horse improved upon its 330 P3 predecessor with an all new three valve cylinder head and other significant engine modifications.
Whilst the GT40 brought brute power and strength to the world’s race circuits, Ferrari stuck to their formula of smaller engine prototypes, believing that this package of technical sophistication and sublime handling would outclass the American manufacturer’s torque in the end.
Although the 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 didn’t manage to outduel the Ford GT40 Mk IV at Le Mans and has been portrayed as a losing car in recent years, it’s considered by many enthusiasts and experts as the best endurance machine ever built in Maranello. It helped the carmaker secure a manufacturer’s championship in the premier class of the WSC and made Enzo proud at Daytona where it obliterated its rivals with a 1-2-3 finish.
Hope you enjoyed this little outing from my usual F1 stuff, looking forward to do more endurance racecars!
Abel Toth of theprintlane.com
