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1964 Ferrari 250 GTO ’64

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. These were chassis #5571GT, 5573GT and #5575GT. Their bodies were radically different from the previous GTOs, reflecting the style of the upcoming 250 LM.

Chassis & Engine

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.

Pininfarina’s Body

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.

See full 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO ’64 Gallery here

1964 Ferrari 250 GTO ’64

As with the early GTOs, different devices made each ’64 GTO unique. As an example chassis #5571GT had an airfoil atop its roof while all other ’64 GTOs had a rounded edge. One especially interesting development was the use of rammed, cold air induction on chassis #5573GT and #5575GT for the 1964 LeMans. Previously, all other GTOs used unforced, warm air-induction.

1964 Race Season

Stiff competition came in 1964 from Shelby with the Cobra Daytona Coupe and Jaguar with the Lightweight E-Type. Continually, Shelby would hold the fastest lap times around various courses, but it was reliability that would plague the American team. Like the year before, Ferrari dominated the GT class in 1964, taking class wins at most of the 15 races during the season. Outright victories were taken by GTOs at Daytona and the SPA 500 kms.

The 1964 LeMans saw an especially heated battle between Shelby and Ferrari for the GT class. Four GTOs entered the event, all aimed at beating Shelby’s Daytona Coupe. The result was outstanding for Ferrari, taking the overall victory with their Ferrari 275P, but the GTOs were unable to beat the Cobras and missed the GT victory.

Shelby, with his Cobra, proved the GTO was reaching the end of its racing career in 1964. Ferrari unable to homologate the 250 LM, withdrew from GT racing. This left the ’64 GTO to mark the end of the 250-series racing berlinettas which began in 1954. After ten years of complete dominance in the field, the 250 series left a string of serial success that will be hard to match for decades to come.

Photo Gallery

We have included a few images here, but don’t forget to check out the full 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO ’64 Gallery.

1964 Ferrari 250 GTO ’64

1964 Ferrari 250 GTO ’64

Ferrari 250 GTO ’64 (Series II) Specs & Performance

type Racing Car
built at Maranello, Italy
body stylist Pininfarina
production 6
predeccesor 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
succeccesor 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
engine Tipo 168/62, 60 Degree V12
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
valvetrain SOHC 2 Valves / Cyl
fuel feed 6 Webber-38 DCN Carburettors
displacement 2953 cc / 180.2 in³
bore 73 mm / 2.87 in
stroke 58.8 mm / 2.31 in
compression 9.7:1
power 223.7 kw / 300.0 bhp @ 7700 rpm
specific output 101.59 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 272.73 bhp per tonne
torque 292.86 nm / 216 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm
redline 8500
body / frame Aluminum Body over Steel Frame
driven wheels RWD w/ZF Limited Slip
front tires 600lx15
rear tires 600lx15
front brakes Dunlop Discs w/Hydrualic Assist
rear brakes Dunlop Discs w/Hydrualic Assist
front wheels F 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 15 x 6.5 in
rear wheels R 38.1 x 19.0 cm / 15 x 7.5 in
steering ZF Wom & Peg
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Koni Adjustable Shock Absorbers, 16.5mm Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Koni Shock Aborbers, Dual Watts Linkage
curb weight 1100 kg / 2425 lbs
front track 1445 mm / 56.9 in
rear track 1414 mm / 55.7 in
length 4300 mm / 169.3 in
width 1760 mm / 69.3 in
height 1140 mm / 44.9 in
transmission Porsche 5-Speed Manual
top speed ~254 kph / 157.8 mph
0 – 60 mph ~6.1 seconds
0 – 100 mph ~13.1 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile ~13.5 seconds