CLASSIC GR.3 - Ferrari 250 GTO Series II 1964

The first GTO was completed in 1962, having a body sculpted in-house and later revised by Scaglietti. In 1963 steps were made to improve the car, which included an all-new, Pininfarina-designed body. Sometimes referred to as the Series II or ’64 GTO, only three examples originally received the new body.

For the 1964 race season, Ferrari was prepared to use their mid-engined 250 LM in Division III of GT endurance racing. Unfortunately the FIA rejected homologation for the 250 LM, forcing Ferrari to revert to the GTO. Revisions were necessary to the car to keep it competitive.

As homologation stated, the 1964 GTO chassis had to remain the same as the first design. So, mechanically speaking, the ’64 GTO was very similar to the ’62/’63 cars. The only chassis modification adopted by the FIA, was a wider track, brought forth by using wider wheels.

The engine for the ’64 GTO retained the familiar Tipo 168/62 V12. Slight modifications included different tuning for the Weber carburetors and smaller exhaust manifolds. Such modifications did not improve peak power, but widened the overall power band.

After being forced to use the GTO, Ferrari had the body re-engineered by Pininfarina and produced by Scaglietti. The new Pininfarina design was both lower and wider than the original GTO. While this may have improved handling, the shortened frontal area caused more drag than the original GTO.