| Its most interesting attribute (other than a chassis shortened by 100mm) was the retractable hard top that could be manually raised or lowered in a matter of seconds. However, this novel idea was never used on any subsequent models. Although intended as a concept car, collectors were afforded the chance of having their own Rainbow constructed by Bertone. But at the not insignificant cost of $200,000 in the late 1970’s (equivalent to around £500,000 today), there were unsurprisingly no takers and the solitary Rainbow remains the property of Bertone. Meanwhile, only one GT4 ever took part in any international motor racing, this semi-works affair having been prepared by Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team. Campaigners and commissioners of so many special Ferrari's, this car (chassis 8020) was driven for NART by Jean-Louis Kafosse and Jean-Claude Gagliardi in the 1974 Le Mans 24 Hours. Featuring a number of important modifications over the standard car, 8020's engine was tuned to produce 300bhp at 8200rpm while the rest of the car was significantly lightened thanks to extensive use of plastic body panels. The bodywork was substantially modified and included a ludicrously large rear wing, deep front spoiler and heavily flared wheelarches front and rear. |
