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1996 Ferrari F50 GT

After the 1993 sportscar racing season came to a close, new racing regulations were introduced favoring GT cars. The Group C cars were replaced by the new GT1 class and homologation requirements stated at least 25 examples of a car had to be produced. Ferrari customers used the F40 GTE and F40 LM based on the road going F40 which had been introduced in 1987. The LM was raced as early as 1989 when it made its racing debut in the Laguna Seca Raceway round of the IMSA, entered in the GTO category, where it finished third.

1996 Ferrari F50 GT photo
Coupe
Chassis #: 001
View info and history
Ferrari produced the F40 until 1992 and the F50 was introduced in 1995 and produced until 1997. The F50 GT was a racing version of the F50 and was co-developed with Michelotto and Dallara. It was intended to compete in the BRP Global GT Series and a total of three examples were built. The mid-engine, rear wheel drive coupe wore a design by Pininfarina and was powered by a 4.7-liter V12 engine which offered 740 horsepower.

Ferrari described the F50 as an F1 racer intended for street use. As such, it was built with many racing car design features, so transforming the F50 GT into a raceable vehicle was not a stretch. The front was altered to allow for larger air intakes and a more pronounced splitter. In the back was a larger and adjustable wing which replaced to integrated unit found on the road cars. Michelotto was tasked with many of these modifications and aerodynamic upgrades. Another change was to the roof, which became a fixed unit with a large scoop to help channel air to the engine. The exhaust pipes were moved from the sides of the bumper closer to the center.

The interior was devoid of non-essential materials. The standard instrument cluster was replaced by a digital screen, and there were various buttons and switches commonly seen on racing vehicles. The stock steering wheel was replaced by an Alcantara-wrapped unit. The two sport seats were removed and a single race-spec unit installed. In total, around 400 kg was reduced from the vehicle's overall weight.

In September of 1966, Ferrari test driver Nicola Larini put the car through its paces at the company's private Fiorano test track. It proved to be tremendously quickly, with lap times faster than the 333 SP prototype racer.

Despite the car's tremendous potential, Ferrari soon canceled the project after being unhappy with the Porsche 911 GT1 and other homologation specials being allowed to compete in the newly formed FIA World Championship. Additionally, as the company focused many of their resources on racing and winning in Formula 1, there was little funds to further develop the F50 GT to make it competitive against the Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota cars.

Along with the first completed car, Ferrari built two more examples for clients, under the agreement that they were never to be raced. It is believed that three additional tubs were constructed but later destroyed.


by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019

1996 Ferrari F50 GT

1996 Ferrari F50 GT Vehicle Profiles

1996 Ferrari F50 GT vehicle information
Coupe

Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis #: 001

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