1964 Ferrari 275 P #20
Pilots: N. Vaccarella, J. Guichet
Team: SpA Ferrari SEFAC
Race: 1st overall (P 4.0 class) at Le Mans in 1964
Art Model - 154 (diecast)
Published 04/23/24
Though motorsports demands constant evolution, old man Enzo was stubborn. Because of that, he only allowed the switch from front engine to mid engine architecture in the early 60s. Maranello’s first mid-engined car was the 250 P, only introduced in 1963. Despite the tardiness, the new car delivered and came in first and third places at Le Mans that year. Since you do not mess with a winning horse, for the following year Ferrari only improved upon the 250 P. Therefore, using the Pininfarina-designed 250 P body and the same V12 they created a “new” car – the 275 P. The difference between the two was that the 275 P had a longer tail and had a bigger engine. The new engine was the same V12 designed by Gioachino Colombo in 1946, yet enlarged to 3268 cm³. Technically simple, with 12 valves and SOHC, yet rated at 235 kW (315 hp).
The 1963 24 Heures du Mans was Ferrari’s fourth consecutive win. So for the 1964 race, Maranello arrived en force – of the 55 cars on the grid, 12 were Ferraris. However, only four of these were works cars. Three of these were 275 P and one was the new 330 P. The other eight cars were 330 P, 250 GTO and 250 LM distributed amongst “official” privateers. Of the three 275 P, only one (275 P #20 – chassis #0816) finished the race. Yet, piloted by veterans Nino Vaccarella and Jean Guichet, car #20 came in first overall. That year was a very good year for Maranello, with their cars coming in first, second, third, fifth and sixth. Unfortunately though, that would be the last win for a Ferrari factory car until 2023… A 250 LM did win in 1965, however in a privateer team (NART).
I wasn’t very hopeful of one day having 275 P #20 in the W-143 Garage. The easiest one to find is the Looksmart version, which is gorgeous. However, that gorgeousness comes at an unholy price. The other option would be the Art Model version, a brand that was totally new to me. Early this year I happened upon this model, and from the pics it looked pretty decent. Comparing it to my regular 1:43 model benchmark (= Spark), I’ll say it’s very nice. Diecast, so not as crisp as a good resin model, yet very nicely detailed. Therefore, for the price I think it’s a very nice buy.