1967 Ferrari 330 P3/4

Spyder

Ferrari produced just four examples of the P4 engined cars. Three were 330 P4s and one was a P3/4. The 3-valve cylinder head took their design inspiration from the Italian Grand Prix-winning Formula One Cars. A fuel injection system was added from the P3 resulting in 450 horsepower.

Though the 330 P4 did not have the aerodynamic benefits of many of its rivals, it was a memorable design and one that has found its way into the hearts of many enthusiasts. The admiration for the cars were secured when a P 3/4, a P4, and one 412P (chassis number 0846, 0856, and 0844 respectively) crossed the finish line together in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. This impressive accomplishment countered Ford's 1-2-3 finish at the 1966 LeMans with their GT40 MKII's.

The P3/4 car built by Ferrari was chassis number 0846. It was originally built as a P3 by Ferrari and later modified in December of 1966 to house a P4 engine. The nose and chassis of the P3 were retained. After the car was badly damaged in an accident at LeMans, Ferrari discarded the car.

The tube frame chassis and many other components from the wrecked P3/4 were used in this car. The damage from two contemporary racing accidents appears in the frame as well. The car's transmission, steering rack, and engine heads also include the correct Le Mans scrutineering marks, linking them to P3 0846 and P3/4 0846 of 1966 and 1967.

This is the only P3/4 which was built as a P3 by Ferrari. Along with the P4 engine, the wheelbase was changed from the P3 2412mm to the P4 2400mm. Recently, many components of the original P3/4 0846 have resurfaced in the possession of the current owner. Although both he and the former owner, David Piper, thought it was one of the four replica chassis constructed with the blessing of Enzo Ferrari in the late 1960s. It appears that nearly all of the tube frame chassis and other components from the wrecked P3/4 0846 are part of this car. While Ferrari insists the 0846 was scrapped and is no more, there is evidence that this is the car. The car's transmission, engine heads and steering rack also include the correct LeMans scrutinizing marks.

The Ferrari 330 P3/4 was one of the legendary contenders in the ferocious battle between Ford and Ferrari in the mid to late 1960's. Also called the 412 P, the Ferrari received its 330 P3/4 designation for sharing key components with both Ferrari's 330 P3 and 330 P4. Those latter two cars were instrumental in Ferrari's 1960's racing efforts, and were raced by the Ferrari works team. The 330 P3/4 was sold to private teams such as NART for competition purposes.

The 330 P3/4 can easily trace its heritage back to the first of its series, the 330 P. The 330 P was the first Ferrari to be pinned against a Ford GT40. When Ferrari and Ford first fought at Le Mans in 1964, the 330 P filled the podium while no Fords finished. Ferrari's 1-2-3 finish only encouraged Ford to put more time and money into developing its GT40, though, and the American giant prepared for a triumphant return.

While neither Ferrari and its revised 330 P2 nor Ford and its 7.0-liter GT40 realized much racing success in 1965, the following year was to be exciting and eventful. Ferrari replaced the 330 P2 with the P3 variant in 1966. Featuring such improvements over the preceding model as a stiffer chassis, ZF 5-speed transmission, and fuel injection, the 330 P3 was an impressive racer on paper. However, Ferrari could not provide enough essential development time for the gestation of the P3. Reliability problems resulted, and Ford was able to turn the tides entirely. All three spots on the Le Mans podium went to Ford in 1966, with no Ferraris completing the race.

Embarrassed and angered, Ferrari put forth all of the resources the little company could muster into the following variation of the 330. The P4 was ready for the 1967 racing season, and it was clearly the only car that could bring back some fortune to Ferrari. With a 36-valve cylinder head atop its 4-liter V12, the P4 made 450bhp. The nose of the car was elongated to reduce aerodynamic lift, a feature that also succeeded in making a beautiful car look even better. Though a Ford GT40 managed to place first at Le Mans for 1967, Ferrari placed its P4 racers in second and third places at the same event.

Ferrari's success was more notable at the 1967 Daytona race. Here, on Ford's home turf in the United States, Ferrari dominated. The prancing horses from Maranello captured a podium-filling finish. Two Ferrari 330 P4 cars took first and second, while the NART-entered 330 P3/4 took third.

The 330 P3/4 used a P3 engine mounted within a P4 body. Though not as impressive as the mechanically-advantaged P4, the P3/4 was a reliable improvement over the P3 that experienced success in the hands of skilled private teams. Its 4-liter V12, with a 24-valve cylinder head, produced 420bhp at a lofty 8,000rpm. The car was able to reach 200mph at Le Mans. Its 5-speed transaxle incorporated a limited-slip differential to better traction and handling. Independent suspension with coil springs at all corners combined with rack and pinion steering to offer excellent handling, and ventilated disc brakes for all wheels ensured that the P3/4 could scrub speed with authority. All of these mechanicals were wrapped within a tubular frame and surrounded by panels that used aluminum extensively for lightness and rigidity. Chassis 0844 was converted to an open-air P3/4 Spider for Can-Am racing.

The 330 P3/4 was a successful racer that provided private teams with a precise instrument with which to race and to win. It may not have been tied in with the famous drivers of Ferrari's renowned factory team, but its engineering and styling were both as beautiful as the rest of the 330 P series.

Sources:

Dron, Tony. 'Ferrari P3/4.' Classic Driver Web.5 Aug 2009.

'Lot No. 220: 1967 Ferrari 330 P4.' RM Auctions Web.10 May 2009.

by Evan Acuña