www.QV500.com - Ferrari 250 GTO Part 2: 250 GTO ’64

Ferrari had used 250 GTO's with Bizzarrini-designed bodywork for the World GT Manufacturers Championship's of 1962 and ’63, but for the 1964 season, a slightly revised model was introduced. Featuring a stunning new low drag body, this second series variant was called into action as it became obvious of there being no chance the FIA were going to homologate Ferrari's 250 LM into the GT category. Referred to as the GTO '64's, relatively few modifications were made to the Tipo 539/62 chassis as used for the first batch of cars. The wheelbase remained identical but there was an all-round increase in track and obviously new body mounting points. Some minor engine improvements were also made, new timing and bigger carbs finding there way on to these '64 Tipo 168 B units.

Bodywork was now fabricated at Ferrari’s in-house Competition Department rather than Scaglietti's just down the road, every exquisitely crafted feature making this perhaps even more of a masterpeice than Bizzarrini's design. The nose was clearly influenced by the 250 LM, it's extremely pretty profile accentuated by that long, wide bonnet and rakish cabin. Rooflines on these cars were sometimes elongated to improve airflow (like on 3413 GT) whilst others featured a small buttress-mounted aerofoil. The tail was another work of art with its flat rear deck blending into a wraparound kick-up rear spoiler housing a flat face Kamm tail with classic circular light clusters. Numerous vents were carved into the bodywork, the most impressive being a bank of three for engine cooling behind each front wheelarch and the delta-shaped louvre cut deep into each bulbous rear wing. Overall, the design was shorter, wider and lower, a little more aggressive maybe, but somehow even more beautiful than the original GTO. That was most certainly not the case inside where the lower roofline severely restricted the amount of space on offer and making endurance events for even moderately tall drivers a very uncomfortable experience.