Bob Norwood is building the P4 again.

A photo from Bob's new website (above) - image copyright Bob Norwood ©.
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I'm not quite sure that all the cars from the original series were completed.

Here's a few photos of the man himself, assembling the exhaust headers, on one of the last of the 'first series' Norwood P4's ....

.... taken last weekend.
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This one, being built for someone heavily involved in the original Norwood P4 project is getting an 'old style' motor, breathed on by Bob.

It's a 365GTC/4 converted to belt-driven cams, fitted with TWM throttle bodies and will have Motec engine management.

Transmission is the usual (inverted) Porsche G-50 box.
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I remember when Bob had the original bucks for sale, I saw the ad on the 'net. I guess they didn't sell? I'm glad if they didn't, even though they're replicas, they are works of art. I've seen one up close.

From his site, hmmmm:
Take all these components so intelligently and successfully blended together 40 years ago, update them with current technology under Norwood’s guidance, a man whose blood is Ferrari red, and you have a truly exciting automobile.

If his blood is Ferrari red, why did he sell his Ferrari service shop a few years ago and start tuning Japanese cars?

 

Per Bob's website:

http://www.p4norwood.com/p4_V126_spec.htm :

Engine
No. of cylinders 65° V12
Bore & stroke 89x77 mm 3.46 x 2.95 IN
Unit displacement 479 cc 29.2 cu. in.
Total displacement 5,748 cc 350.7 cu. in.
Compression ratio 11:1
Maximum power 379 kW (515 bhp) at 7,250 rpm
Maximum torque 588,6 Nm (60 kgm) 434 ft.lbt at 5,250 rpm

The first car of the second series of Norwood P4's is coming along very nicely.

As the above specification implies, it is fitted with a 575M V-12 (almost stock, in this particular case).

Photos may follow .... if I can get the owner's permission.

 

1900 pounds. 500 HP.

Holy !@#$%^ crap!!

 

Possibly, because apart from Ferraris, as you probably know, Bob's other great loves are Turbo-Charging and Drag Racing.

Besides .... there's 'tuning Japanese cars', and then there's Bob's interpretation of 'tuning Japanese cars'.

See: http://www.turbomagazine.com/tech/0202tur_norwoods_racing_funnycar_integra/photo_02.html .... 4000bhp Acura 'Type R' funny car.
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It's an easy way to build (or rebuild) capital. Lines of people and cars waiting for a good tuner.

 

Where is his P4 shop? Rockwall?

 

Bob's current P4 manufacturing operation is spread across a number of small private workshops in the DFW area.

 

I've seen the Honda (Acura) drag car,,, ha ha,
,,
the only Honda piece on it is the "A" on the hood.
(OH,,, and, the type "R" sticker on the muffler, , , good for +5 HP...!)


Edwardo
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I think that pretty well sums it up.

I've seen that funny car up close, it's a beast. I'd say it's his passion, the new tuning 'direction' is what funds the funny car.

 

I am glad to see that Bob's back at it. When I bought my 348 Norwood twin turbo, I got to spend the day with him. I got to watch him dyno tune it, then I drove as he "street tweeked" it. It was a real treat for me. He's a very interesting person to talk to. Super smart, and very passionate about his work. It would be very cool to have one of his P4's.

 

It's amusing to see the shock (and awe??) that Bob is involved in Drags........His start was in Drags, which gave him exposure to clients who saw what he could do with a motor, and asked him to tune and work on their Ferraris. Apparently, the dealers of the day weren't very proficient at multi-carb, sometimes quirky motors.

Even during his Norwood Autocraft heyday, he stayed involved with Drag and Speed competition - just with his own twist.

 

None of this should be a surprise to anybody.

Bob's achievments in the field of drag (and salt) racing are well documented on his old website: http://www.bobnorwood.com/

 

I love it! Might be a hard pick, though, between the Norwood, and an F40 or Miura. That is, if I had that much to spend!

 

It's my understanding that Bob is also building/continuing? 4-5 288 clones at the current moment as well. Does anyone have first hand knowledge or has anyone been in his shop recently? You can see what might be one next to the P4 in one of the photos.

 

Cool project.........I'd buy one........if the spare cash was available and plentiful.

 

Awesome!!

 

Paul -
sounds like a page right out of the Carroll Shelby playbook; which featured a stack of "authentic, in-period" Cobra VIN numbers somehow overlooked in an old filing cabinet.......;--)

james

 

Yes, Rob .... all those 'ordinary' real Ferraris that wouldn't get a second glance, if a Norwood P4 was parked in their midst.

 

Bob is a god too me for all he does. I had spoken with him year's back regarding a Motec for my car. When you see Bob 'hand's on' your a very lucky person.