Customer demands one-of-a-kind Ferrari
Ferrari engineers spent the last four years creating what they're calling the automaker's “most extreme one-off design ever.”
What they've come up with is the P80/C, commissioned by an unnamed, but very die-hard, fan. He tasked the Ferrari Styling Center team (who handles these special and quite pricey requests) with blending influences from two 1960s-era models, the 330 P3/P4 race car and the Dino 206 S, combined with the best tech of today.
The result fulfills his dream of having the ultimate modern sports prototype machine.
Working with a current 488 GT3 chassis, the Prancing Horse crew began an intense period of styling and engineering research. Knowing from Day 1 this vehicle would be dedicated to track use only, that helped drive the rest of the development and allowed the engineers to push boundaries, such as leaving off things like headlights.
The Ferrari's body was reworked with lots of new carbon fiber components, many of which were left bare and exposed. Up front and out back, a catamaran-like design was incorporated, meaning the space between the prominent fenders was left open to accommodate diffusers and heat-extracting grilles.
The car's profile is marked by broad rear buttresses that extend over the deep-pocketed side air inlets. This gives the illusion of a floating roof, thanks to the wraparound windshield, which blends into the side glass and front window pillars.
Cues from the 330 P3/P4 can be seen in the concave rear windshield and aluminum louvers on the engine cover.
Inside the cabin, much of the donor car's interior remains, except for an integrated roll cage. Some of the dashboard was reworked, as has the seat upholstery (which is now a vibrant hyper blue) and the door panels, which are now carbon fiber shells.
Besides the extreme capabilities, the client also requested the radical car possess a “dual soul,” or have two different looks. While it's made to go all out, he wanted to be able to dial the P80/C's looks back for static displays at events like a concours d'elegance. Engineers delivered in the form of an “exhibition package.” When the need arises, the giant rear wing and other aero components can be removed and the 18-inch, single nut wheels swapped out for more conventional 21-inch, 10-spoke wheels.
Ferrari made no mention whether the GT3's powertrain had been modified; also left off the news release was any kind of performance data and the cost for such a special project. My guess is the answer to those last two mysteries may be “really fast” and “quite a lot.”
Matt Avery can be reached at auto@dailyherald.com. Learn about his new book at COPOthebook.com.