10 replies to this topic

[chr1s]

I came across a film of a 1978 demo run for the Birmingham Super Prix on YouTube and was surprised to see a Ferrari 312T in amongst the various cars. But there was something not quite right about it. At first glance it looks like a T2, (no airbox) but it doesn't have the air intakes on the front of the cockpit either!  On closer inspection it appears to have the 1975 style cockpit surround but without the airbox. Does anyone know anything about this car?  Was it in England at the time, what chassis number was it  and who modified the cockpit surround and why? And what became of it?

[Bloggsworth]

Where on YouTube - Link?

[Jahn1234567890]

I would assume this video. The Ferrari appears around 1:12

 

[BRG]

As it bears no 11 (as well as another number probably just for B'ham) it ought to be a 1975 312T.  Regazzoni used no 11 that year so it is presumably a chassis he used, although it looks as if both drivers at some point drove each of the five 312Ts that were raced.  You might think using Lauda's number 12 would be more attractive to a collector.

 

According to Allen Brown's site oldracingcars.com, all five surviving cars went into private ownership.  There was one went to a British collector (Mike Vernon) so possibly it was that chassis. No idea about the bodywork though. Maybe it was used as a test hack for the 1976 312T2?

[jtremlett]

It is mentioned here https://tentenths.co...ad.php?t=115106 as having both Lauda and Regazzoni's names on it but, unfortunately, the photos are long gone.  The presenter here https://www.facebook...683566198427359 is sitting in it but it isn't shown very clearly.

[bigears]

It is the #11 1976 Ferrari driven by Niki Lauda with Michael Vernon driving it as #203 at the Birmingham On The Streets parade

Hope the link works:
https://drive.google...P7L0lb7ToTnzwhA
Credits to Jon Jones.

https://drive.google...mx4dhyCz5KmOqxQ
Credits to John E.Porter (I apologise it is very dark, it came out like that and I don’t have photo editing software)

[jtremlett]

It is the #11 1976 Ferrari driven by Niki Lauda with Michael Vernon driving it as #203 at the Birmingham On The Streets parade

Hope the link works:
https://drive.google...P7L0lb7ToTnzwhA
Credits to Jon Jones.

https://drive.google...mx4dhyCz5KmOqxQ
Credits to John E.Porter (I apologise it is very dark, it came out like that and I don’t have photo editing software)

The links say "you need access".

 

Michael Vernon owed 312 T s/n 022 which was used by both Lauda and Regazzoni in 1975 and early 1976, so that all makes sense.  It doesn't really answer about the unusual bodywork, however, as I think the tall airboxes were still used and legal up to the Spanish Grand Prix in 1976.  Perhaps it had alternative bodywork so it could be used as a spare car for later races if needed or just for testing in advance of the T2.  Gooding & Co sold it 2019 and it was displayed then with standard high airbox bodywork.  It doesn't look like the auction catalogue is on their website to see if there is any mention of alternative bodywork/engine cover.

[Vitesse2]

The links say "you need access".

Yes, the images are private, so can only be seen by someone with an authorisation link. Instructions on how to make them public here: https://support.excl...ng-Google-Drive

[bigears]

I do apologise, I think I have enabled access so it can be seen now, I hope.

 

Another image from the 1980 Birmingham On The Streets parade programme:

 

https://drive.google...pB03P5CUZguQIdQ

 

https://drive.google...6enUDbKOKjCOoRw

 

I might have a few more so I will keep digging. Michael Vernon took part in the demo with his HBM Ferrari Racing with the Ferrari 312T car. That's the info I got about the car.

 

But interestingly, according to the Motor magazine (18/11/1978) it stated that the Ferrari was driven by Bob Evans.

[chr1s]

No idea about the bodywork though. Maybe it was used as a test hack for the 1976 312T2?

I think this is probably the most plausible explanation, either that or it was altered by Ferrari before it was sold to make it look more contemporary? Either way, in bigears pictures it does seem to have a "factory look" about it rather than home made!

[chr1s]

Just tried googling  Ferrari 312T2 Prototipo, (which I probably should have done before I started the topic) and found a black and white picture of Regazzoni testing at Fiorano with what looks to be the same bodywork configuration.

I guess at some point over the intervening years, maybe during a restoration, it was put  back to its original 1975 configuration. 

    I