Lot 225: 1990 Ferrari P4 Replica Sports Prototype

The fabulous Ferrari P3/4 series of sports-prototype racing cars are currently some of the most highly valued and coveted of all post-war thoroughbreds, commanding values expressed in millions. The original series of P3 works team cars were produced for the 1966 endurance racing season in which they won the Monza l,000kms (co-driven by John Surtees/Michael Parkes) and the Spa 1,000kms (Parkes/Ludovico Scarfiotti).
The Ferrari P3s used 4.0-litre 24-valve fuel-injected four-cam V12 engines and it took an entire fleet of 7.0-litre Ford Mark II cars to beat them. For 1967 Enzo Ferrari determined to exact revenge and in the opening World Championship race of the season - the Daytona 24-Hours - the factory team of new 330P4 cars, supported by NART’s updated P3/4, swept home in line-abreast formation to finish 1, 2, 3.
The drivers on that historic occasion were Lorenzo Bandini/Chris Amon in the winning P4, Scarfiotti/Parkes in 2nd place and Pedro Rodriguez/Jean Guichet 3rd. In the following Monza 1,000kms the new 36-valve P4s again finished 1, 2 but after a classic rearguard action Michael Parkes/Ludovico Scarfiotti were beaten into second place in an historic Le Mans race, by the 7.0-litre Ford Mark IV.
The vendor of this most convincing P4 replica advises us that, in order to create something as reasonably close to the genuine article as could be afforded, a 1977 Ferrari 400GT was acquired in order to obtain the 4.8-litre V12 engine and certain other minor parts. Rebuilt by marque specialists Terry Hoyle Engineering, the engine was mated to a five-speed Porsche G50 transaxle and the combination installed in a right-hand drive spaceframe chassis manufactured by Neil Foreman. The installation was accomplished most successfully and even the most cynical observer would agree that the finished article looks superb.
This vehicle has covered perhaps 2,000 miles since it was built and never fails to provide enjoyment while attracting many envious glances. Sold to make way for a replacement, the car is offered with current MoT and Swansea V5 registration document. (It should be noted that the registration mark ‘899 TMY’ is being retained by the vendor).