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2004 Ferrari 360 news, pictures, and information | ||
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The Evolution of The 360GT
From the 1980s forward, Ferrari devoted all its competitive efforts to Formula One. Rapidly developing technology and intense competition dictated that even wîth Fiat money behind Ferrari, the proliferation of competition designs in sports cars, prototypes and grand prix couldn't be sustained. Fiat's interest in the production side of Ferrari also limited the exchange of technical, material and production support which had characterized Ferrari's organization in an earlier, and decidedly simpler, era.It was an era of specialization that, even in sports car prototypes, saw major manufacturers like Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Jaguar and even Porsche develop short-term projects wîth massive resources behind them to conquer a single championship (or even a single race, i.e., LeMans) and then withdraw to reap the commercial benefits from their racing successes.
Rules and series, too, were Balkanized by national and regional promoters so cars that were developed and configured to specific promoters' ideas of commercially viable events and series had to be significantly altered to compete in other series.
Ferrari's decision made commercial sense, but that mattered little to committed owners who recalled the joy, pride and excitement of racing Ferraris. They cajoled, wheedled and importuned Ferrari to develop competitive sports cars and prototypes. They even offered to pay large (some might say 'huge') sums to guarantee the financial viability of a sports car racing program. And gradually Ferrari saw the value, not only in enhancing its image but also in generating revenue. A series of outsourced and half-heartedly backed Ferrari sports cars, the 512 BB/LM, showed there was potential, but it wasn't until the F40's success was followed by the creation of the Ferrari Challenge, a factory-backed racing series using specially prepared production based F355 Berlinettas that included appearances as support races at major professional races and a year-end championship runoff for regional and national championships.
The Challenge was a success and continued wîth the introduction of the 360. Wisely, Ferrari created a new class for the F355 Challenge cars, prolonging both their owners' investments and offering an affordable entry to aspiring competitors.
The 360 GT BerlinettaFerrari racers are nothing if not enthusiastic. Maybe it's a gene shared wîth Enzo Ferrari and Michael Schumacher. When offered a competitive Ferrari racer, they immediately think of making it faster and taking on even greater challenges. So it was wîth the Ferrari 360 Challenge cars. Based on the already technically advanced 360 Modena, the 360 Challenge was quick out of the box. Made some 240 pounds lighter through the increased use of high-strength composites and titanium as well as elimination of nonessential comfort and convenience features, it had specially developed aerodynamics for 50% greater downforce wîth no increase in drag.
The 3,585 cc V-8 engines were treated to similar refinement, ultimately increasing power to 425 bhp at 8,500 rpm. All 360 Challenges used Ferrari's paddle-shift F1 6-speed gearbox capable of clutchless gearshifts in 150 milliseconds. Carbon ceramic brake discs wîth 6-piston calipers provided retardation to match the 360 Challenge's speed potential. Ferrari's publicity describes the 360 Challenge as created for 'individuals who yearn for an even more pure sporting experience.'
Event that wasn't enough for some Ferrari owners. A few believed that 'some is good, but more is better.' For those few, Ferrari again turned to its Padu service center, Michelotto, to create a Ferrari 360-based race car that would be competitive in international FIA GT and North American Grand-Am series. There was no 'stradale' in Michelotto's race car. It was dedicated competition car that took the Challenge theme to the next level. Competing in the FIA N-GT category in Europe, the Ferrari 360 GT capture the 2001 FIA GT Championship. In North America, Ferrari of Washington captured the Grand-Am GT Championship in both 2002 and 2003 wîth a team driving 360 GT's.Source - Gooding & Company
 | Spyder |
In 2004 automobile critics proclaimed the 360 as one of the best sports cars available.
| Incredible Hypercar 'Full House' Tops Spectacular Ferrari Extravaganza | |
 | • RM Auctions announces amazing 16 car Ferrari haul for its forthcoming sale during the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este weekend, 25th May, on Lake Como, Italy • Hypercar 'full house' includes Ferrari Enzo, F50, F40, 288 GTO, and 599XX • Full list of handpicked entries available online at rmauctions.com LONDON (16 April, 2013) – RM Auctions, the world's largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, is delighted to announce that its exclusive sale during the...[Read more...] |
| Final Countdown Underway To South Florida's Premier Collector Car Auction | |
 | • Auctions America kicks off its 2013 auction season, March 22-24 with its highly anticipated Fort Lauderdale Collector Car Auction • Celebrating its 11th year, the multi-day auction features more than 550 quality collector cars • Latest feature attractions include an outstanding 1963 Shelby Cobra and a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS • Digital catalog now available for download at auctionsamerica.com AUBURN, Indiana (February 27, 2013) – With the final countdown underway to its highly an...[Read more...] |
| 1999 European Grand Prix: The First and Last | |
 | When Johnny Herbert signed with the brand new Stewart-Ford Racing team many believed Herbert to have missed out on his opportunity at success in Formula One. In fact, many would see a great divide between him and the obvious number one driver Rubens Barrichello. However, on the 26th of September Herbert would show he still had some fight within and would actually be the one to earn a very important first for the team. Herbert's Formula One career would go through something of a renaissance af...[Read more...] |
| 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans: Facing the Giants | |
 | It had been more than thirty years but the Silver Arrows would compete, and win, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jaguar would also earn its first victory in more than thirty years when it took the overall honors in 1988. And then there was Porsche, the most dominant mark in Le Mans history. But each of these three manufacturers shared something in common. Even with the victories by Ford during the 1960s there was something very interesting about the list of victors in the 24 French enduro—none of them ...[Read more...] |
| 2012 Spanish Grand Prix - Preview | |
 | Formula One's European season starts next week with the Spanish Grand Prix taking place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. A familiar testing venue, the 4.655 km circuit plays host to Round Five of the 2012 World Championship.
• The race has been won from pole in nine of the last 10 years; the exception was 2011, when Vettel won from P2 • At 730 metres, the run from the start-finish line to the apex of the first corner is the longest of the season • Spain was one of j...[Read more...] |
 2004
Ferrari
models |
| Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale |
| Ferrari 360 GTC |
| Ferrari 360 Modena |
| Ferrari 575M |
| Ferrari 612 Scaglietti |
| Ferrari F2004 |
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| Ferrari: 2001-2010 |
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| Other models by Ferrari |
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