Bob Norwood is building the P4 again. | FerrariChat

Bob Norwood is building the P4 again.

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by WJHMH, Oct 28, 2006.

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  1. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 WJHMH, Oct 28, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    From what I remember only 12 were built back in the 1990's until he stopped with the project. I was told he sold the bucks, I guess not. Still a very cool car to see in person.

    http://www.p4norwood.com

    Here's one of my photos during construction from back in 1990 from the old shop on Tracy.
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  2. P4Replica

    P4Replica Formula 3

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    #2 P4Replica, Jan 22, 2008
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  3. P4Replica

    P4Replica Formula 3

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    #3 P4Replica, Jan 22, 2008
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  4. P4Replica

    P4Replica Formula 3

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    #4 P4Replica, Jan 22, 2008
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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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  5. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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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?
     
  6. P4Replica

    P4Replica Formula 3

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    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. ;)
     
  7. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
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    1900 pounds. 500 HP.

    Holy !@#$%^ crap!!
     
  8. P4Replica

    P4Replica Formula 3

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    #8 P4Replica, Jan 22, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    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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  9. f_the_ASR

    f_the_ASR Karting

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    It's an easy way to build (or rebuild) capital. Lines of people and cars waiting for a good tuner.
     
  10. robert_c

    robert_c F1 Rookie

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    Where is his P4 shop? Rockwall?
     
  11. P4Replica

    P4Replica Formula 3

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    Bob's current P4 manufacturing operation is spread across a number of small private workshops in the DFW area. ;)
     
  12. 350HPMondial

    350HPMondial F1 Veteran
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    #12 350HPMondial, Jan 22, 2008
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    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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  13. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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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.
     
  14. 348 Turbo

    348 Turbo Formula 3

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    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.
     
  15. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     
  16. P4Replica

    P4Replica Formula 3

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    None of this should be a surprise to anybody. :rolleyes:

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

    FandLcars F1 Rookie

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    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!
     
  18. greg288

    greg288 Karting

    May 28, 2007
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    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.
     
  19. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

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

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    He was building 288 GTO's back in that late 80's but was threatened with a lawsuit buy Ferrari so as far as I know the project ended. I'm not sure how many were built but from what I understand quite a few. I would have thought the same thing about the P4's but production halted due to high build costs in the late 1990's. When the P4 project first started they were about $125,000, now somewhere around $325,000.

    Checkout this link for my photos of the glory days at their location on Tracy Ave.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64347
     
  21. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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  22. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    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
     
  23. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    Think of all the real Ferraris you could have for $500k
     
  24. P4Replica

    P4Replica Formula 3

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    Yes, Rob .... all those 'ordinary' real Ferraris that wouldn't get a second glance, if a Norwood P4 was parked in their midst. :D
     
  25. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     

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