Quick Kiwi

The Ferrari 330 P4 was the Scuderia’s weapon of choice for the 1967 World Manufacturers Championship. The car’s 4-liter V-12 engine produced 450 horses and, at 860 kilograms, the prototype was considerably lighter than the Ford Mk 2s and Mk 4s. The season opener at Daytona saw the Ferrari team emulate Ford’s three-abreast finish at the previous year’s Le Mans race by crossing the line in formation to claim 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Skipping Sebring, the P4 won again at the Monza 1,000 kilometers, piloted by Lorenzo Bandini in what was sadly to be his last 1,000 kilometer race. Le Mans saw the P4’s place 2nd and 3rd, gaining more valuable points following an unsuccessful outing at the earlier Targa Florio. Finally, a 2nd-place at the BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch proved to be all that Ferrari needed to regain the championship from Ford.

The P4 was from an era that produced stunningly beautiful sports prototypes, including the Lola T70 Coupes and the Ford GT40 Mk 2s and Mk 4s.  It was also a time that just pre-dated the proliferation of assorted wings, fins, tabs, and other aerodynamic devices on sports racing cars that, while undoubtedly improving handling, detracted so much from their curvaceous and sensuous styling.