The 1999 Ferrari F50 GT
Why It's Special:
During the mid 1990’s, the BPR Championship created a great environment for privateer and non-factory backed teams to compete at the top level of motorsport. Ferrari was enjoying decent progress with several private teams fielding their ever evolving F40 Competizione (now known as the F40 GTE). However after 8 years of international competition the F40 was at the end of its competitive life-cycle. Not wanting to abandon the privateer efforts that Ferrari has always championed, they began work on a racing version of their new supercar, the F50.
Chassis #001 was completed and Ferrari test driver Nicola Larini began a rigorous development program with the car. Right off the bat the potential was enormous, 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 236mph were achieved. Even more astonishing were the lap times around Fiorano, where Larini was able to lap quicker than the full on prototype 333SP! Larini was quoted as saying the car is “very good” and he was more than confident in its ability to produce results on Sunday.
Unfortunately for all involved in the project, the BPR Championship was cancelled at the end of the 1996 season and was replaced by the new FIA GT Championship. The new series catered toward large teams with full factory backing, something Ferrari had neither the funds nor the personnel for due to their investment in Formula 1. Effectively the F50 GT was stillborn, and what a pity it was because Ferrari had built themselves quite a car.
Under the Hood:
The bodywork was completely revised from the standard car, with plenty of NACA ducting, a huge front splitter and a massive rear wing. Panels were constructed from carbon fiber and Kevlar and the roof was fitted with an enormous air intake feeding the monster that lay below the deck lid. Designated Tipo 130A, the 4.7 liter DOHC 12-cylinder engine featured 5-valve cylinder heads, a raised compression ratio and a Magnetti-Marelli Stage 3 competition ECU.
Completely uncorked, the F50 produced 750hp @ 10, 500rpm and 383 lb-ft of torque @ 8,000rpm. Shifting was accomplished using a 6-speed sequential shift transmission along with a triple-plate carbon clutch for added durability. Significant attention was also given to the suspension and brakes. Fully adjustable Koni dampers were installed along with carbon ceramic brake discs from Brembo, measuring 380mm in diameter, both front and rear. 18x11” Speedline magnesium racing wheels were fitted up front, along with 18x13” Speedline’s in the back, shod with Pirelli PZero racing slicks.
The Verdict:
Although it is a shame that F50 GT was never actively campaigned, the car stands as possibly the best example of Ferrari’s amazing ability to build a car that is not only brutally fast, but astonishingly beautiful at the same time.
// Continue to the Ferrari F40 Competizione Vehicle Overview //