Photo: asopuma from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0
The 1966 Ferrari 330 P3 brought fuel injection (Lucas) to Ferrari for the first time. It was a further development of the P2 to hold its own against the Ford GT40. Because Ferrari was short of cash and could not develop a new engine, reduced weight and better aerodynamics had to deliver the progress; three new bodies were created in the workshop of Piero Drogo. Ferrari stated the output as 420 hp at 8000 rpm. Today, no 330 P3 exists anymore: The cars were converted into P3/P4 or P3/412 P, and one of them was scrapped.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Good to know
- Today, not a single 330 P3 exists anymore: Chassis 0846 was scrapped after accident and fire damage at Le Mans in 1967, and 0844 and 0848 were converted into P3/412 P.
- The victory at the 1966 Monza 1000 km race was the last on the original 10-km circuit including the banked curves.
- At the Targa Florio, Bandini lost control while leading and damaged the front so severely that he could not continue—much to the annoyance of his teammate Nino Vaccarella.
- For Le Mans, Enzo Ferrari made an exception and provided a P3 to Chinetti's NART: the only P3 Spyder, driven by Pedro Rodríguez and Richie Ginther.
Learn moreEngineering · In racing 1966 · Successor
Engineering
Like the P2, the 330 P3 had twin ignition and four overhead camshafts; the Lucas fuel injection was new. Added to this were a ZF gearbox and a Borg & Beck clutch. However, the Type 593 gearbox was fragile, and its gears were prone to failure. Because Ferrari was short of cash and fresh capital from Fiat did not arrive until 1969, the team could only continue to exploit the potential of the Colombo engine. Progress had to come from weight and aerodynamics; the three new bodies were built by Piero Drogo, who also gave the customer 365 P2 a new shape.
In racing 1966
The debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring brought second place in practice and a retirement due to gearbox failure after 178 laps while Mike Parkes and Bob Bondurant were running in second. After that, Parkes and John Surtees won the 1000 km of Monza and of Spa. At the Nürburgring they were on pole, but retired with clutch failure. At Le Mans, Ford was superior: One works car crashed, the other suffered engine failure, and the NART Spyder retired after 151 laps.
Successor
In 1967, the 330 P4 replaced the 330 P3; two examples were given to Scuderia Filipinetti. Chassis 0846 served as the basis for the P4 and was struck from Ferrari's books after the damage from Le Mans. Cars 0844 and 0848 were converted by the factory into P3/412 P; 0844 was later even turned into a 330 Can-Am and later returned to P3/412 P form in private ownership.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 330 P3
When was the Ferrari 330 P3 raced?
The Ferrari 330 P3 was raced in 1966.
How much power does the Ferrari 330 P3 have?
Power of the Ferrari 330 P3: 309 kW at 8,000 rpm.
What engine does the Ferrari 330 P3 have?
Engine of the Ferrari 330 P3: 3967 cm³ mid, RWD Colombo V12.
Who drove the Ferrari 330 P3?
Drivers of the Ferrari 330 P3: Mike Parkes, Lorenzo Bandini, John Surtees, Nino Vaccarella, Chris Amon, Ludovico Scarfiotti, Richie Ginther, Bob Bondurant, Jean Guichet ….
How many races did the Ferrari 330 P3 win?
The Ferrari 330 P3 took 4 wins in 10 races.
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