The Ferrari 330 P4 is among the most stunning race cars ever produced by Maranello.In 1966, Ford ran riot at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, sweeping the podium clean in a historic photo finish courtesy of the GT40 MK II, ending Ferrari's dominance of sports car racing in the 1960s. Unable to accept defeat, Enzo Ferrari embarked on a radical redesign of the outgunned 330 P3.A new Ferrari track monster was born before the following year's sports car racing season — the iconic Ferrari 330 P4.
Four prototype racecars were built, and with them, Ferrari exacted sweet revenge on Ford with a replica photo finish in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona — a moment Enzo Ferrari would remember for the rest of his life, hanging a photograph of the epic finish in his room until his death.
Where Can I Find a Ferrari 330 P4?
The Ferrari 330 P4 can be found with various owners all over the world. However, only one of them has not been altered. After the 1967 Le Mans crash, James Glickenhaus purchased the remains of the 0846 from Ferrari. The only intact P4 is 0856, which was sold to a new owner in 2020, while 0858 has been converted into a P4 Berlinetta and is still in German ownership.
Also, the 0860 was eventually given a P4 Spyder body, and it is still in the hands of its French owners.
Ford humiliated Ferrari severely
Ford humiliated Ferrari in 1966 when two GT40s swept the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, prompting the production of the 330 P4. In retaliation, Ferrari won the 1000 km Monza and swept the 24 Hours of Daytona the following year.
The team reached the summit in a photo finish as first, second, and third, exactly as Ford had done the previous year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The performance of the Ferrari 330 P4
Franco Rocchi, one of Ferrari's most trusted engineering hands, was tasked with redesigning the massive Lampredi V12. When the redesign process was completed, the engine had received all of the improvements needed to help it avenge Ford on the racetrack.
These improvements include Lucas fuel injection, a new three-valve head, and a five-speed handling power distribution. All of this contributed to the Ferrari 330 P4 producing 450 horsepower and 385 ft-lb of torque.
The engine of the Ferrari 330 P4
Ferrari knew it needed to come up with a better strategy to beat all comers, including Ford and its incredible GT40 MK II. What is the strategy? Substitute its most powerful engine for the humiliated 330 P3. The most powerful engine at the time was a redesigned 4.0-liter Lampredi Tipo 237 V12 engine.
The engine was redesigned and now has a three-valve cylinder head with two inlets and one exhaust. A Lucas injection system was also used to supply fuel.
The Ferrari 330 P4 with chassis number 0846
In 1966, the Ferrari 330 P4 with chassis number 0846 was built. It was the sole P3 Spyder model and the first of three works P3s converted to P4. The prototype racecar is even more significant because it was part of the team's incredible 1967 photo finish at the 24 Hours of Daytona, along with two other Ferraris.
Nevertheless, the 0846 was completely destroyed in an accident while competing at Le Mans the following year.
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