Ferrari-based racer rekindles the glory days

Four years ago we brought you the story of the Ferrari P4/5, a stunning rebodied Enzo created by Pininfarina for wealthy American collector Jim Glickenhaus.

The car in question was conceived as a tribute to the hallowed P3/4 and P4 racers, of which only three examples each were built in 1966-67.

Although the achingly beautiful one-off was intended purely for road use, the saga has now taken a fresh twist as designer Michiel Van Den Brink has released a rendering of the P4/5 'Competizione', which, in keeping with its moniker, is conceived for endurance racing.

The big difference between the P4/5 of 2006 and the Competizione is that whereas the former used Enzo hardware, the latter is built upon an F430 Scuderia chassis and derives propulsion from F430 GT2 running gear -- a destroked 4.0-litre V8 with 447kW and 465Nm, relayed to the rear wheels by a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Immediately obvious is the livery and ironing-board-mimicking rear wing, but look closer and you'll notice mods such as the vented guards, tailor-made mirrors and aggressive front splitter. There are also bi-xenon headlights and a pair of projector beams integrated into the front guards.

There's a reason why the car owes its origins to a Scuderia, namely that Glickenhaus wants the P4/5 Competizione to be road-legal and, in order for this to happen in the US, it needs to be based on a standard production vehicle.

The Competizione will allegedly be classified as an 'experimental racer', as per the Porsche 922 GT3 R Hybrid and it could eventually see action at the punishing Nurburgring 24-hour enduro.

Ferrari is not involved in this privateer's project, but since the chassis, the VIN and engine are sourced from the prancing horse, the car could reportedly be added to the race's entry lists as being a 'Ferrari Special' with a Ferrari engine.

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