1984 Ferrari 412 Prototipo Scaglietti pictures and wallpaper

1984 Ferrari 412 Prototipo Scaglietti news, pictures, and information

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Roadster
Designer: Scaglietti
Chassis Num: PROTO4120E0065201
Engine Num: 18667
Vin Num: ZFFYX31X0G0065201

This 'Prototipo Scaglietti' Ferrari is a usable road car and not just a 'mule' or styling exercise. It was designed by Sergio Scaglietti and created to evaluate the use of advanced composite materials in the load-bearing structure of road vehicles. It was given a four-seater configuration and convertible top as this is the most demanding structural design. It was created in 1984 though its VIN identifies it as a 1986 model.

The passenger compartment is a tub consisting of fiberglass, carbon fiber and Kevlar, taking advantage of each material's performance characteristics and formattions such as honeycombs and sandwiches. The engine, clutch, and gearbox units are positioned in the front subframe. The four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs and tubular shock absorbers are from a Mondial.

This is a lightweight car that weighs just over 1400kg and is nearly 400 kg lighter than the 412 from which the drivetrain is borrowed. Power is from a V12 engine with Bosch Mechanical fuel injection system and dual overhead valves. It displaces 4943cc and produces 340 bhp. The gearbox is a five-speed manual.

The bodywork is created from fiberglass and given a wedge-shaped design. There is a horizontal crease down the sides that joins the front and rear bumpers. Underneath, the central load-bearing tub is comprised of three distinct structural elements, the central tunnel containing the transmission and driveshaft, and the two sill boxes. The result was an increase in torsion by ten times, and is five times stiffer in bending than a conventional tube frame.

After this very advanced car was completed, it was used by the factory as a long-term endurance tester. The results of the study were used by Ferrari's engineers and designers to further examine and understand the efficacy and durability of composite materials and structures in road vehicles. Three years later, Ferrari introduced the F40 which featured a composite tub structure and soon after, the Ferrari 384 was introduced which also took advantage of composite materials in its structural design.

This one-off, four-seater convertible was owned by one of Ferrari's favored clients, Greg Garrison. In 2007 it was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA where it was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $60,000 and offered without reserve. Obviously, this is a very important vehicle and a unique creation that took Greg Garrison years and literally dozens of important Ferrari acquisitions and restoration to be in a position to acquire this Prototipo Scaglietti. Bidders eager drove the final bid above the estimated value, setting at $110,000 including buyer's premium.

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