In the 1960s and 1970s, Ferrari produced a variety of P series vehicles, with the 330 P4 being among the most constrained. It was created as the P3 model’s replacement and had a larger 4-liter V12 engine to boost its durability and power. One year after the 330 P3, in 1967, the P4 was made available.
The P4 was faster than the P3 in a race, proving that the engine improvement was worthwhile. Prior to the P4 winning the following year’s 1000 km Monza race, the P3 won the event in 1966.
There were only four P4s made, and each had a 450-horsepower maximum output. Its enormous power and loudness were increased by the addition of a three-valve cylinder head with two inlets and one exhaust.
A shorter chassis was an improvement for the P4, which helped regulate the suspension for a more seamless and comfortable drive. It makes sense that it outperformed the P3 in the race.
With its incredibly low profile frame and light body, the Ferrari 330 P4 immediately grabs notice. The car’s two-seater coupe style and incredibly small body were perfect for keeping the weight as low as possible. It was 792 kg dry weight and about 1,000 mm tall. Ferrari has a talent for designing their vehicles to be light and responsive.
Piere Drogo, a stylist, created the P series Ferraris. They were modified for every year and every model to better suit the requirements of the buyer and make it more potent, swift, and svelte.
The P models are regrettably no longer being manufactured. Ferrari had to stop producing its P models and stop selling them in Europe due to regulations at the end of the ’70s.
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P4[edit]
The mid-engined 330 P4, a V12 endurance car designed to replace the 330 P3 from the previous year, was produced in 1967, a successful year for the Enzo Ferrari automobile firm. There were only ever four Ferrari P4-powered vehicles produced: three new 330 P4s and one ex-P3 chassis (0846). Their three-valve cylinder head was based on the design of winning Formula One cars from the Italian Grand Prix. The same fuel injection system from the P3 was applied to this, resulting in an output of up to 450 horsepower (335 kW).
Both the P3 and P4 were the winners of the 1000 km Monza in 1966 and 1967, respectively. At order to counter Ford’s shot of the Ford GT40 Mk.II crossing the finish line together First, Second, and Third at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, two P4s and one 412 P crossed the line together in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona (in first place 0846, second place 0856, and third position 0844).
Since then, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding what happened to these four cars.
- 0846. The single P3 Spyder and the first of three Works 330 P3s were both built in 1966. kept by the works at the conclusion of 1966 and used as the foundation for the new P4, which was then largely converted to P4 specification for 1967. Ferrari claims that 0846 is no longer in use. Due to its history of accidents and fire damage from Le Mans in 1967, the firm chose to discard the chassis. Although the original chassis number has been removed from Ferrari’s records as an existing chassis, they still control the number.
- 0856 was first constructed as a Berlinetta, but the manufacturer changed it into a Spyder for Brands Hatch in 1967, where it is still used today. In 2020, 0856 was transferred to a new owner.
- Ferrari initially transformed 0858 from a Berlinetta into a Spyder at Brands Hatch in 1967, and in that same year they transformed it into a 350 Can-Am. It is now owned by Germans and has a P4 Berlinetta body.
- Similar to 0858, which was changed by Ferrari to a 350 Can-Am, 0860 was initially a Berlinetta that was transformed to a Spyder for Brands Hatch in 1967. However, its then-French owner had it fitted with a P4 Spyder body in the early 1970s, and that family still owns it today.
0846
In 1966, the Ferrari 330 P4 with the chassis number 0846 was created. It was the first of three working P3s that were transformed into P4s and the only P3 Spyder model. The fact that the prototype racecar, together with two other Ferraris, won the team’s incredible 1967 picture finish in the 24 Hours of Daytona gives it considerably more significance.
However, while competing at Le Mans that year, the 0846 was totally destroyed in an accident.
Ferrari P4 330
The 330 P4 is one of the most admired Ferraris. It grabs attention right away with its low, curved lines and sleek, yet forceful appearance. The fact that just one entirely original car is still around makes it a sought-after sight for many fans. It’s interesting to note that the P4 is one of the final Ferrari prototypes to retain a sports car appearance. Piere Drogo, a stylist, designed the initial body, and the factory made adjustments each year to make it more functional.
The 330P was produced at a period when sports car fans had a lot to look forward to. Ford ultimately put their GT40 program together by the time the P4 was circling the globe’s circuits, and they created history by defeating Ferrari at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Man. Ferrari proceeded with considerably smaller-engined prototypes, nevertheless, in the hopes that their superior handling and technical complexity would surpass Ford’s big-block power. Mauro Forghieri, a technical engineer, was in charge of the 1967 challenge.
This P4 was the pinnacle of a line of rear-engine Ferraris that increased in size as far as weight distribution and transaxles permitted. These rear-engine vehicles advanced to Ferrari’s greatest engine, the long-block Lampredi V12, by 1964. Ferrari had already incorporated novelties like Lucas fuel injection and intakes that were mounted directly on the cam covers by the time the 330 P4 made its debut in 1967.
The P4s competed alongside the 330 P3, an earlier version of the vehicle, and the 412P, a much simpler version of the P4 that used normal carburetion rather than fuel injection. P4s stood apart from this group because to their slightly smaller bodies and open-air spyder construction.
The P4’s best moment occurred at Daytona, where Enzo Ferrari took sweet retribution by finishing 1-2-3 in one of the most prestigious sports-car races in the country. Enzo preserved a photo of the group from the historic race’s final lap till his passing. Other important triumphs for the car were its first 1000 km races at Monza, but the P4s lost to Ford’s outstanding 7-litre Mk IV at LeMans.
Three chassis, bearing the numbers 0856, 0858, and 0860, were first produced for close-coupé racing. For the Brands Hatch BOAC 500 race, each of these was transformed into a spyder. Ferrari’s renowned P racers had to stop competing in Europe due to regulations at the end of the season, but two P4s were drastically modified for Group 7 Can-Am service. Chassis 0856 is presently among the most valuable automobiles in the entire world as a result of the fact that the world was left with just one P4 in its original configuration.
The P4 has also been a well-liked kit car because of its appealing body, amazing history, and extreme rarity. Up to 100 of these reproductions, powered by a variety of engines, have been produced in series by companies like Noble. Depending on the owner’s attention to detail, these vehicles come in a wide range, but the majority can deceive a Ferrari enthusiast into thinking he has seen the genuine article.
Ferrari P4 to be auctioned off next month is the rarest
There are uncommon vehicles and then there are uncommon Ferraris. And one of the very rarest, a 1967 Ferrari 330 P4, will go up for auction in Maranello the following month.
The P4s, of which Ferrari only produced three, are thought to be worth $15 million each. The vehicle will be among the highlights of the Leggenda e Passione celebration on the premises of the Prancing Horse factory, which will feature an auction of 34 vintage Ferraris and three Maseratis.
The P4 is a moving piece of Ferrari history and has the chassis number 0858. It finished third in the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans and won the Trofeo Filippo Caracciolo in Monza.
The car was driven by well-known racers Willy Mairesse and Lorenzo Bandini, as well as Jackie Stewart and Chris Amon, to a second-place finish in the British BOAC International 500 at Brands Hatch, which gave Ferrari the world championship.
This P4 hasn’t been available on the market in 38 years, and it’s hardly ever seen in the open. The Rolex Monterey Historic races in 1995 and 2003 are recent examples of performances.
To say this automobile is unusual is an understatement, according to Max Girardo, managing director of RM Europe, as just three original P4s were ever produced. Running the auction are RM and Sotheby’s.
The third edition of Leggenda e Passione will include a number of vehicles that would steal the show at almost any other auction. A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, also known as the “pontoon-fender” automobile, is also anticipated to cross the street. There were only 22 made in 1957–1958, and this one might break all records. Of the 20 international races the Scaglietti-designed vehicles participated in, 10 were victories.
Additionally present are a 1949 Ferrari 166 Inter Coupe by Touring, a 1964 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso Competizione, and a 1965 275 GTB/C. There will also be a 1990 641/2 Formula One car up for sale.
Description
The mid-engined 330 P4, a famed V12 endurance car intended to replace the P3 from the previous year, was produced in 1967, a successful year for the Enzo Ferrari automobile firm. There were only ever four Ferrari P4-powered vehicles produced: three new 330 P4s and one ex-P3 chassis (0846). Their three-valve cylinder head was based on the design of winning Formula One cars from the Italian Grand Prix. The same fuel injection system from the P3 was applied to this, resulting in an output of up to 450 horsepower (335 kW). Ferrari’s P3 and P4 cars each took home the 1000 km Monza victory in 1966 and 1967, respectively. In order to counter Ford’s photo of the Ford GT40 Mk.II crossing the finish line together First, Second, and Third at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, two P4s and one 412 P electrified the racing world by crossing the line together in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona (in first place 0846, second place 0856, and third place 0844). Since then, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding what became to these four almost legendary vehicles. There are no P4s missing from the production.
No such thing as a P4 block exists. Ferrari very ingeniously cast blocks that could be built up as a 3.3L for sports cars and a 3L for F1 on circuits like the Targa Florio and the Nurburgring, where fuel efficiency was crucial due to the lengthy laps. By altering the size of the crank journals, the rod length, and the length of the piston skirt, this was accomplished in the same block.
Related
The 1966 Ferrari 330 P3, which is itself a variation of the Ferrari 330 P4, is a member of the Ferrari P series, which includes sports prototype racing cars made in the 1960s and early 1970s. There were only ever three Ferrari 330 P4s produced. The winning Formula One vehicles for the Italian Grand Prix provided the car with a 3-valve cylinder head. Additionally, the Ferrari P3’s fuel injection system was used.
Who was the Ferrari 330 P4’s designer?
The Ferrari 330 P4 is distinguished by its sleek, yet intimidating appearance and curvaceously low lines. Piere Drogo, a stylist, created the magnificent Ferrari P series, with the manufacturer making little adjustments to the design each year.