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In 1963 Ferrari released a prototype which was essentially a 250 LM minus the roof. Therefore it shared the model's mid-mounted V12 engine and tubular spaceframe but had a slightly more advanced body shape.

Ferrari debuted the model at the 1963 12 Hours of Sebring and took an overall victory with chassis 0810 driven by John Surtees and Lodovico Scarfiotti. The other 250 P of Willy Mairesse, Nino Vacarella and Lorenzo Bandini wasn't far behind and placed second. Along with the 330 TRI/LM and the 250 GTO, Ferrari swept the results list, taking the first six places overall.

Afterward the cars were used in Europe at many rounds of the World Sportscar Championship. Only one 250 P was used at the Targa Florio in May and failed to finish. Later that month, another new car, chassis 0814, was brought to the Nürburgring 1000km, but the older 0812 won in the hands of John Surtees and Willy Mairesse. This was followed up by a victory at Le Mans by Ludovico Scarfiotti and Lorenzo Bandini in 0814.

Story by Richard Owen