Real or fake 250 GTO? | FerrariChat

Real or fake 250 GTO?

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by FerRrari, Jan 29, 2019.

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  1. FerRrari

    FerRrari Formula 3

    Jan 11, 2009
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    Fernando
    I came across this picture, allegedly taken at a Ferrari dealer in LA. The mirrors and side markers don't look right to me but I'm no expert. Is this real or not?

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  2. Boudewijn

    Boudewijn F1 Rookie
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    May 15, 2003
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    Boudewijn Berkhoff
  3. FerRrari

    FerRrari Formula 3

    Jan 11, 2009
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    Fernando
    Thanks!
     
  4. Wheels1

    Wheels1 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 23, 2007
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    Grant
    The photo looks squashed to me making the cars look shorter and taller
     
  5. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,741
    330 LMB #4381 SA, owned by a L.A. based TV/Movie Producer.

    Marcel Massini
     
  6. GIOTTO

    GIOTTO F1 Rookie
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    Dec 30, 2006
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    He should remove the cheap and ugly made in China plastic mirrors.
     
  7. bitzman

    bitzman F1 Rookie
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    Feb 15, 2008
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    wallace wyss
    I am still trying to figure out why the 330LMB existed. I don’t think it was destined to be a road car. It was a prototype using an engine displacement of 4.0-liters rather than 3.0. It could have been a last ditch effort to see if the front engine car was more reliable than the new mid-engined works racers.

    The engine came out of the lush road car, the 400 Superamerica but was switched to six Webers, and rated at 390hp.

    Though it looks like a Lusso body, the chassis is also Superamerica. The wheelbase stayed 98.4 inches (2500mm), but had wider front and rear tracks. The suspension was the double wishbones and coil springs up front, and rigid axle and semielliptic leafs in back.

    The styling was a 250GTO from the windscreen forward, but in back was more Lusso, but I don’t know how much more of the body was alloy other than the Lusso doors, bonnet and rear deck lid. The rear fenders had unsightly boxes welded on to pipe air to the brakes and allow for larger tires.

    It ran without bumpers as well. Top speed on the Mulsanne straight was close to 190 mph.

    Ironically though all the rest of the factory’s race cars were being designed to be mid-engined, this front engine car could run with the mid-engined 250P.

    The record shows that four 330 LMBs entered the ’63 24 Hours; but only one survived, finishing fifth overall. That dismal result could have been what made Ferrari decide mid-engined was the way to go.

    The car was said to be the pet project of Michael Parkes, a Brit who worked as a Ferrari engineer and race driver. Wikipedia says of Parkes “Parkes worked for the Rootes Group from 1950 to 1962, initially as an apprentice. One of his roles at Rootes was as project engineer in the development of the Hillman Imp.

    In 1963 Parkes joined Ferrari as development engineer for their road cars, notably the 330 GTC, and also as a GT sports car driver,” ignoring his role in the 330LMB. There is a book being written about Parkes, let’s hope the 330LMB gets a chapter at least.
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Bubba
    You hit it, with displacement!

    The 250GTO at this point was being swarmed by the Ford Shelbys, and when the Shelby Coupe arrived, IMO that's what drove Ferrari proceed to rear engine racecars.

    I have the Jay Koka print of the 330LMB, I always thought it "almost prettier" than the GTO, and a Texan will never argue, with "more displacement"!!!
     
  9. bitzman

    bitzman F1 Rookie
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    wallace wyss
    I'll have to look up Koka's 330LMB. His work is often on the website of Automotive Fine Arts Society. Here's my own take on the rear view. I agree it's a dramatic car but find the flat rear brake scoop out of character with the rest of the car's sensuous curves.
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  10. BJK

    BJK F1 Rookie

    Jul 18, 2014
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    CT
  11. Timmmmmmmmmmy

    Timmmmmmmmmmy F1 Rookie

    Apr 5, 2010
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    Timothy Russell
    It did not sell at Rick Cole and the same vendor is offering it at Ferrari of Beverly Hills. Perhaps the attempt at a $10 million profit was the reason why it didn't sell, who knows.
     

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