The Enzo reimagined.... Jim's Ferrari P 4/5 by Pininfarina

My dad just got back from London, and with him came the latest Top Gear. The car looks amazing, can't wait to see the high speed photos that are sure to come next month.

Peter Hatch

 

We put over 700 miles on her.

We drove in the rain.

We drove in the sun.

First Paolo took her out to make sure everything was ok.

Then I took her out on the handling track.

We turned lap after lap.

We drove over potholes.

We drove on turns that are off camber.

We drove over mismatched surfaces.

We took her onto the banked oval.

We built up speed. The banking is VERY steep here. (C.E.R.A.M)
The Track VMAX is 300KPH. At the speeds we were running the car was subjected to over 4,200 lbs. of downforce. 1.5G's banking rest P 4/5. Look at the close up of the wheel.

The body work compressed the gap between the body and the tire and they started touching! We shaved the body and went back out.

The person who really proved what P 4/5 can do is a very important part of Ferrari's History and if you look at the group gathered around the back of the car you'll know who I'm talking about.

Rene went out with me. Riding with Rene is not something I will EVER forget.
The motor screamed to 8000. The shifts were instant. The transitions as smooth as I've ever seen. The turn in light until the tail began to come out and immediately then controlled by the throttle. In the middle of the track Rene turned to me, reached out his hand and said "Congratulations!" "She is incredible!".

We headed on to the high speed oval. We approached the limits of the track.
She was a train running effortlessly. "We should take her to Le Mans."
He later remarked. "If that is ever to come to pass you will be driving her, I'm serious." I remarked. "I would do that. I'm serious as well." He replied.

The next day an endless stream of journalist went for rides, and under Paolo's watchful eye drove her. What a day. Paolo and his team have done an Incredible job and as he said at the end of the day: "We will miss this girl."

In 1962 after finishing first in class the drivers of the 250 GTO drove from Le Mans in the GTO to Paris, parked in the shadow of the Arc d' Triomph, and had a celebratory dinner. We looked at each other and figured that was the least we could do. I hopped in with a journalist form "Quatro Roulle" and Paolo and the team followed in the van. We programed the GPS which worked effortlessly as did the entire car. What a night! People went berserk. Two cars taking cell phone camera shots crashed into each other. We parked on the Champs Eleseay and ate at Fouquets. Seeing the reactions of thousands of people who jammed the streets as we ate dinner was something that I and the entire team will remember for many, many years.
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Amazing... thanks for sharing the pictures & experience with everyone!

Hope to see this car in New England at some point.

C

 

Yes, René Arnoux is a GREAT guy! He really likes Ferraris.
Marcel Massini

 

Driving her through Paris and riding with Rene was Fantastique!!!

 

Great pics.....and story!

Thanks for that...enjoy!

 

Here's a photo showing René Arnoux in 2005.
COPYRIGHT MARCEL MASSINI
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And Vmax was?

 

irrelevant???

 

Hey Jim, nice story there, congratulations on a dream come true & thank you for sharing with us.

From one of the pics I saw in the Sep HongKong Car & Driver magazine, were you wearing a vintage watch with a porcelain dial from early 1920s?

Jon from the Far East.

 

Just curious, as one of the engineers on the project...

 

Hi

Yes 1922 Rolex. I have to remember to wind it but it still works great.

Best

 

Good, it is just one of those figures (like 1/4 mile, 0-60 etc) that will start to live its own life, be used in useless comparisons etc etc....

 

Excellent, I seldom see people wearing such watches these days & better still when it's accompanied in a 21st century supercar. Cheers~

 

I'm not asking for bench racing purposes, just curious.

 

Well, the maximum trackspeed was apparently limited to 300 kph. Good chance that maximum speed was therefore not achieved...

 

I asked this in the other thread, but i'm curious if there will be any chance to spot the P4/5 in and around Paris during the immediate days leading up to the show?

 

A few did but she's in the garage being tweaked until the show.
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http://www.mclarencars.com/news/latest.htm

The M Eleven B looks stirkingly similar to a few designs mentioned in this thread!

Sorry, not trying to threadjack, but I definitely thought of this thread the second I saw this article and phots.

 

Congrats Jim,
Wonderful to hear that the tests went well and that the car performed as intended!
Only a true enthusiast would dare to park his new unique multi million dollar car at the Champs Elysées......bravo Jim!
Also very cool to have René Arnoux testing the car, René was and is indeed one of the Great Racing heroes that I remember from my childhood!
Now I'm just looking very much forward to meet you and P4/5 at The Paris Motorshow in about a week from now!
We really can't wait to go!!!

Best regards

Carsten

 

Looks like you had a good time on the Mortefontaine track between Senlis and Chantilly , right ?
Thanks for sharing all this !!!!

 

Yes. That's the track.

Best

 

Just saw James and P4/5 on the 8.00 news on France2, France's #1 TV network. Video of the Mortefontaine ride and interview of James. Just awesome. We have to feel proud that it will be officially uncovered here.

James, I hope France welcomes you properly.

Enjoy Paris,

Louis

 

Thanks!!