Driven by former Ferrari stalwarts Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi, this 412 T2 chassis number 163 is race-tested machine that could be the ultimate purchase for a true fan of the prancing horse.
Campaigned during the 1995 Formula One season, the 412 was built to the new 3.0-liter requirements following the 1994 deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and the incomparable Ayrton Senna. True to the formula, the Ferrari rocks a 3.0-liter V-12 engine that was powerful enough to make the car fast right out of the box in the 1995 season. Chassis 163 never claimed a podium finish (or a finish at all apparently) but it did lead for a moment at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, and was driven by both Alesi and Berger during the season.
Fresh from a factory Ferrari tune up, they don’t come much more original, expensive, or terrifying than this.
Thanks to WINDING ROAD dime-dropper Nick for the tip!
Though the relationship seems a bit convoluted, this fetching 1969 MV Agusta café style motorcycle was apparently built as a tribute to Enzo Ferrari under authorization of Ferrari SPA itself. That sanctioning, along with there only being two of these in existence, is what supposedly justifies the incendiary price tag of $120,000.
Though we perhaps don’t understand the breeding well enough to comprehend its value, there’s no doubting that this MV by British builder Dave Kay is pretty hot. The slinky bodywork is all hand-beaten aluminum, and the practically unused engine has exotic magnesium castings. The sellers claim that that bike runs like a “Swiss Watch” though it has only covered six miles since its completion. A rare treat for a rich specialist, have a look at the lovely MV in our gallery below.
Die-cast model makers Minichamps appear to be working on some kind of infant sports car project, as these unbearably cute images have surfaced with the toymaker’s logo affixed. Sure to be a hit with the tween and girlfriend set, (you remember the Muppet Babies phenomenon right?) we’re going to speculate that the new toy cars have bubble-like wheels, and over-sized headlights that look a lot like puppy dog eyes. Enjoy the cute logo gallery below.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Ferrari has added yet another chapter to its sporting saga today by revealing the latest in the line of “new generation” cars, the Ferrari California.
The California, or F149, is the Italian automaker’s first retractable hard top convertible and puts an effectively modern spin on the California rag top models of the past. Fittingly then, the California takes it styling cues from not only some of the marque’s current range (we see a bit of 612 around the edges), but also from the convertible models that have helped to make Ferrari one of the most lusted after brands on the planet.
(Click on the thumbnails below to browse a Ferrari California gallery or through the jump to read more, including the official press release.)
Want to really get your week off to a good start? Why not watch this classic 1980’s car chase scene from Against All Odds, starring a Porsche 911 SC, a Ferrari 308 GTS, Jeff Bridges, and the incomparable James Woods. Happy Monday.
It seems that someone was in the right place, in this case just outside of Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Maranello, at the right time to catch a glimpse of the Italian automaker’s new “Dino” project.
Referred to internally as project F149, the future sports car is said to offer seating for four with a retractable hard top, and be powered by a 4.7-liter V-8. There’s some talk that Maserati may still be the ultimate destination for the car, but that doesn’t stop it from sounding every decibel a Ferrari in this short cut from the track. Turn up your speakers and enjoy.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
With the Spanish Grand Prix still more than a week away the Ferrari team is keeping busy by getting in some testing, along with the rest of the Formula One field, for the 2009 car at the Catalunya circuit. And who better to work out the technical bugs than former world champion Michael Schumacher?
Schumi was onboard for some lengthy tire testing today, wringing our several different forms of Bridgestone rubber aimed at use in the 2009 F1 Season. The driver was piloting a version of this year’s F2008 that had been modified in an attempt to replicate the levels of downforce expected next season.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Because none of us can get quite enough information about Gran Turismo 5 Prologue before the game is released on April 15, we’d like to further tantalize with another smoking trailer. While the video above features plenty of action (and another through the link), we are especially keen on the bit that involves stepping behind the wheel of Ferrari’s F40. Just over two-weeks to go.
+ G4: Two ‘Gran Turismo 5 Prologue’ Vids
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
The ink may not be completely dry on a contract that will make Renault’s Fernando Alonso the highest paid driver in Formula One starting with the 2009 season, but already rumors are starting to circulate that the former world champion might be looking elsewhere for employment.
Pressure seems to be building over at the Ferrari paddock, where number-two driver Felipe Massa made yet another race-ending mistake in Malaysia last weekend. Meanwhile Alonso is having troubles of his own after being reunited with Renault, struggling to an eighth-place finish, and a lone championship point, in the same event. That set of circumstances had the Malaysian press asking Alonso about a possible move to the Italian team, which he didn’t exactly strike down unequivocally. (Click through the jump to read on.)
2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen again showed the pace that helped to win his title, finishing with a dominating victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Ferraris of both Raikkonen and teammate Felipe Massa were well ahead for the first half of the race, when Massa inexplicably spun into the gravel on turn eight of lap thirty. Massa’s spin gave a big helping hand to BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica, who managed his first podium finish since Monza in 2006 by taking second place.
Points leader Lewis Hamilton made good early progress, moving from a ninth place start to fifth after the first corner of the race, only to spend a long period stymied by Red Bull’s Mark Webber. Hamilton’s best chance to jump ahead of the Australian driver was foiled when a sticky front wheel removal cost him more than ten seconds on his first pit stop.
Jean Todt has stepped down from his position as the CEO of Ferrari today, making the official announcement at the conclusion of the automaker’s shareholders’ meeting.
First hired by Ferrari in 1993 to head up the Formula One racing team, Todt was elevated to the position of general manager in 2003, followed by a promotion to company CEO in 2006. Amedeo Felisa, who followed of Todt as Ferrari’s general manager, will follow the same pattern by taking over the CEO role. Todt will stay on with the Italian automaker in limited duty, including representing the F1 team on the FIA World Council.
Shareholders at today’s meeting also reaffirmed Luca di Montezemolo as company president, and Piero Ferrari as vice president. Follow the jump for Ferrari’s full press release.
WINDING ROAD columnist Karl Ludvigsen is the mind behind a fascinating and lovely new volume from publisher Haynes chronicling the epic duels between Ferrari and Maserati, entitled Red-Hot Rivals.
Focusing on the competition between the two storied automakers during the period of 1947 to 1967, Ludvigsen takes readers “into the boardrooms and secret racing workshops of both marques.” Enzo Ferrari and the Maserati brothers, along with racing drivers and scores of motorsport luminaries, are followed through one of racing’s most brilliantly contested eras.
(Click through the jump to read more and to see the back cover of Red-Hot Rivals.)
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