[212Export]

One of my all time favorite Ferrari type is on sale with Fiskens in London…the 275 GTB/C. I better do not ask after the price…..!

The rarity and speciality of these cars (12 in total) are seldom understood even by Ferrari enthusiasts. This is why I would like to take the opportunity to introduce them to the forum.

The 12 longnose 275 GTB/C competition series 2 cars are the only one to have the official “C” in their type description. Those 12 cars represent the last GT cars planed and developed fully by the Ferrari racing department and designed from the ground up as a racing car under Mauro Forghieri. They look identical to a standard 275 GTB long nose from the outside but in reality they are really totally different. Lets sum up some of the differences:

Engine:

The type 213 Comp. Engine was essentially a 3 carb version of the 250 LM engine with external reinforcing ribs on the sides of the casting. Opposite to the standard 275 GTB/2 cams, a dry sump lubrication was used. A special crankshaft of the 250LM unit was used, together with racing pistons, a higher compression ratio, special connecting rods and special cylinder heads. Ferraris standard competition camshafts of the type 130 were applied, giving higher lift with higher opening degrees for intake and exhaust. The cams used needle bearing rocker arms and the same valve springs as on the 250 LM’s and GTO’s. To further reduce weight, many engine components have been made of electron (a alloy of magnesium) like the valve and chain covering, sump cover plate and bell housing. The engine was bolted directly to the frame without rubber mounts. The carburettors were of the type Weber 40 DF13, a type specially build and applied only to these 12 cars. They have long velocity stacks, bended 90 degrees to the back, preventing them from sticking thru the hood. Also the transaxle cases are made of magnesium. Special Borg and Beck single plate clutch for high revs competition use.


Body/Chassis:

The 275 GTB/C’s have been build on a special lightweight chassis (type 590A). For the body of the car, a extremely thin and light aluminium body made of 0.028 inch alloy (21 gauge) was applied. This body is only 50% of the thickness of a optional alloy body standard 275 GTB and even thinner that the alloy body of a 250 GTO or LM!
Such bodywork easily dents by slight hand pressure. Without use of the necessary, stabilizing fibreglass, the rear of the car is so light and unstable that a shove on the left rear fender will cause the right rear fender to flex.
Inner door strouts, door mounting subframes, battery mounts and hood and trunk frames are drilled with holes to reduce weight. Only the front windshield is glass, all the rest being lightweight Plexiglass. No sound deadening insulation anywhere. The bumpers being much thinner than the original ones and not bolted to the frame at all but only to the body ! The doors have no armrest. Seats are made up with light weight thin tube frames. Shift lever housing is magnesium as well. The floor pans are thin fibreglass plates, so the seats must be bolted to small tubes between the main chassis tubes. The weight saving result is app. 450 pounds lighter than a GTB/4, ca 350 pounds lighter than a standard steel long nose car and ca. 250 pounds lighter than a alloy 275 GTB long nose.


Competition success:

When the 250 LM’s and GTO’s competed, the meaning of dual purposed cars was still intact. However when the competition life of the 275 GTB/C’s started, they had to run for the GT class title, as the opposition of the “prototype” class cars like the Ferrari P3 and 4, the Porsche’s and the Ford 4.7 and 7 litre was not in their reach. Nevertheless, the 275 GTB’C’s won almost all possible GT classes, including Le Mans, Targa Florio, Monza etc. I think, these are really great cars.


I hope, this was of some interest to you. I took these informations from a Dyke Ridgley report on the type.

[212Export]

I just asked for the price.....and went to the toilet after.....

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by 212Export

I just asked for the price.....and went to the toilet after.....

Is the price, to quote Dr Evil, "One Million Dollars!"?

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Vitalone

Is the price, to quote Dr Evil, "One Million Dollars!"?

Unfortunately that would buy only the "appetizer"...

[Granucci]

THen it went the way I figured it go

oh, well, I have a few of these for a down, think they'll spring for it..

Make a killing with some prince.

[212Export]

You made may day !....this will be sufficient. On the other hand I may go and ask any european governement to support the liquidity. At the moment they do not care anyway for what the funds will be used.

[Boxer]

Wonderful post.

Great idea on the bank. I am going to go register as one now and ask for a few billion in bailout cash to get started........

[Redhead Seeker]

There also appears to be a roll bar/cage in the vehicle, is that standard?, also I wonder what lightweight saving material that must be fabricated from?

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

The one pictured appears not to be a genuine C model based on the exterior appearance. I believe many owners converted (upgraded) their standard 275s to Cs. w/ smiles Jimmy

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

The one pictured appears not to be a genuine C model based on the exterior appearance. I believe many owners converted (upgraded) their standard 275s to Cs. w/ smiles Jimmy

Jimmy, this IS a genuine 275 GTB/C # 09041 !

@Redheadseeker: Good question about the roller cage, honestly I don't know if the cages have been aplied in the factory or afterwards according to the needs of the owners. A cage will definitively disrupt some weight advantage considerations but maybe the buyers of such $$$$$ cars will have Titanium/Berylium/Magnesium/Alloy mixture cages constructed to not loose their advantages on the track

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by 212Export

You made may day !....this will be sufficient. On the other hand I may go and ask any european governement to support the liquidity. At the moment they do not care anyway for what the funds will be used.

Sounds like the US TARP pre-requisite as in gays in the military: don't ask, don't tell.

That is a fine example to me, but as it's dressed as a racer, any provenance we should know more about?

rik

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Jimmy, this IS a genuine 275 GTB/C # 09041 !

@Redheadseeker: Good question about the roller cage, honestly I don't know if the cages have been aplied in the factory or afterwards according to the needs of the owners. A cage will definitively disrupt some weight advantage considerations but maybe the buyers of such $$$$$ cars will have Titanium/Berylium/Magnesium/Alloy mixture cages constructed to not loose their advantages on the track

Sorry, 212Export, my apologies again (that's two in a row, a yellow card). Can't even imagine the driving experience in one of those race cars. w/ smiles Jimmy

[212Export]

Jimmy, driving experience in yours is definitively better, at least for me as yours is a LHD

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Jimmy, driving experience in yours is definitively better, at least for me as yours is a LHD

+1 I would think that the "C" would be near undriveable on the street.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Boxer

+1 I would think that the "C" would be near undriveable on the street.

Boxer, why do you think so ?

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Boxer, why do you think so ?

The need to keep the revs up and the general lack of any interest in crawling along in traffic. Simply a fact of it not being set up/tuned for it.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Boxer

The need to keep the revs up and the general lack of any interest in crawling along in traffic. Simply a fact of it not being set up/tuned for it.

I concurr. The stop and go in city traffic and lights would be frustrating and not good for the car. Not the same of course, but my RUF is similar. The rev. set up is higher and much more sensitive/ delicate, not exactly suitable for city use. With such immense power and torque, cruising at around 200km/hr is the range where the car comes alive. Definitely, not for a stop and go situation. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Boxer]

Same situation was one of the major negatives when I was considering the Jag XJR 15. You really need to keep the revs north of 4000 rpm.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Same situation was one of the major negatives when I was considering the Jag XJR 15. You really need to keep the revs north of 4000 rpm.

Yet another similar situation was few years ago, when I was seriously considering and finally found this Porsche 1973RS in Tokyo (which was fully restored in Germany prior to arrival in Japan). I was all focused and I was determined to buy. Upon research and talking to knowledgable people, I came to the conclusion that this car was not for me, or should I flip that phrase and say that I was not made for this car's performances and what this '73RS was meant for. It was way too responsive and unrealistic for my usage. It was a beauty tho. Eventually I settled for the RUF, which is still way beyond my skills. Never dared beyond 4000rpm as yet. w/ smiles Jimmy

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Same situation was one of the major negatives when I was considering the Jag XJR 15. You really need to keep the revs north of 4000 rpm.

Beautiful car, though, the XJR15. And very rare.

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

It was a beauty tho.

Yes, another beauty. Love the first ('73) RS's.


Onno