The 60's Gran Turismo: Ferrari 275 GTB/C

2008.08.01 08:04:00

The 60's Gran Turismo: Ferrari 275 GTB/C

For the 1966 season, Ferrari decided to build 12 lightweight 275 GTB/C cars, even though they very much resembled the road-going 275 GTB, not one body panel was the same and underneath very little of the road car remained.

Mauro Forghieri designed a special super-lightweight steel and aluminium version of the 275 GTB chassis. A regular suspension was fitted, but it was made slightly stiffer by the addition of extra springs. Scaglietti bodied the chassis with an ultra thin aluminum body; the panels were about half as thick as the ones used on the 250 GTO and the Shelby Cobra (Even leaning on the 275 GTB/C would dent the body!) The entire rear section was reinforced by fiberglass to prevent it from flexing at the slightest impact. In all, this focus on saving weight made a difference of over 150 kg (331 lb) compared to the alloy bodied road cars.

The 275 GTB/C was powered by the 3.3 litre 250LM V12 engine. Somehow Ferrari 'forgot' to mention to the governing body that the 275 GTB had a six carburetor option, so only a three 'carb' engine could be homologated. Specifically for the 275 GTB/C, Weber constructed the 40 DF13 carburetor of which three would replace the six 38 DCNs found on the 250 LM. The rest of the drivetrain was similar to the 275 GTB, but strengthened slightly.

Competition cars were fitted with special Borrani wire wheels, shod with Dunlop's latest racing tires. It was this combination that would prove to be the weak spot of the 275 GTB/C; the tires had so much grip that they could overstress and break the spokes on the wheels. After the 275 GTB/C, no competition Ferrari would be fitted with wire wheels again.

Source: Wikipedia

The 1967 Le Mans 24 hour class winning Ferrari 275 GTB/C of Scuderia Filipinetti

1967 le mans

While GT Legends provides the P&G team with a great base for our models, there are quite a few differences between the GTL model, and the real life historical cars.

Some changes to the chassis and interiors are therefore necessary.

Flattening of the bonnet: This included removing the bonnet scoop, and flattening the rear of the bonnet so it sits flush with the scuttle panel (or cowl)
Removal of the rear quater panel flutes or vent holes: These where "welded shut" as per the original cars specifications.
Removal of external door mirrors: Removed as per original cars specifications.

Now that the body was looking cleaner, and massaged to the right shape. It was time to add things that the GTL model lacked.

Front and rear bumper bars: As you can see from the pic above, some 275's raced with their bumpers fitted. They have been accurately recreated in game.
Borrani wire wheels: The GTB/C was fitted with the racing Boranni wire wheel, even if they where a little fragile!
External spot lights: Fitted for extra vision in night time races, 2 types of working Sev Marchal spot lights are fitted to the P&G cars.
Fuel Fillers: Not all cars came from the factory with the same fuel filler position. Some cars had the fuel filler located on top of the right hand rear guard.
Quad exhaust: There was something wrong when looking at the rear of the GTL Ferrari. Its dual tailpipes just don't look right. Historically the cars were fitted with a quad racing exhaust, now accurately modelled, along with the appropriate V12 howl.

With the externals done, its time to move to the interior.

Left Hand Drive, and Right Hand Drive: To match the cars real spec, each car has the proper drivers position accurately modelled. To do this we had to model a new Right Hand Drive cockpit.
Cockpits: There are a couple of new cockpit styles depending on the car, these include new dashboard and high resolution gauge textures, 3D removal of non period items (Roll cages, fire extinguishers, lap timers). Plus the general stripping of interior components. (Dash knobs, heater controls, arm rests, etc...)
Steering wheel: A proper, large, thin rimmed wooden wheel has been accurately created. The original GT Legends wheel was much too small, and limited the view of the cars dashboard.

Performance wise, this car is not one of the fastest one, but it's handling is probably the best of all the 60's GT cars. Incredibly neutral and stable under all circumstances it really needs to be driven to fully appreciate the outstanding stability, total absence of understeer and excellent tractability. It really is that good.

I hope you enjoyed this little history lesson, plus the added bonus of a couple of screen shots, and the list of changes that have taken place.

The Ferrari 275 GTB/C is just one of many cars that we'll be featuring!