Ferrari

22.07.2006 JIM GLICKENHAUS DESCRIBES HIS FIRST TEST DRIVE OF THE FERRARI P4/5

"The P 4/5 pulls away and vanishes into the distance like an F-16 launching from a carrier deck" proud new owner Jim Glickenhaus recently shared his thoughts on his dramatic first drive of the Enzo-based, Pininfarina-built bit unfinished Ferrari P 4/5 on the FerrariChat.com forum. The completely unique Ferrari P 4/5 by Pininfarina, which pays tribute to the legendary 330 P4 racing car, is due to be officially unveiled at next month's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

"She was sitting in the sun when we pulled up," recalled Jim Glickenhaus. "Seeing her outside with a PROVA Plate attached to her tail took all of this to a new level. We walked around her slowly admiring her lines and the interior that was starting to come together. We slipped in, strapped down, and set off. The first thing I noticed was that the reduction in front overhang made a huge difference compared to the Enzo. The next thing was the panoramic vision through her fighter cockpit greenhouse. Her newly sculpted interior seemed very roomy as we pulled out of the driveway without any problem and turned onto the road. You've heard the expression 'Traffic Stopping'? This time it really did. Even The Sport bike stopped and let us enter the road. The Babe on the Back looked over and down as we pulled by. She smiled and slowly raised her thumb straight up.

"We were running without ABS or traction control because the computer hadn't yet been programmed for the new sized wheels and tyres. We were also running in low downforce mode because one of the actuator motors hadn't awoken properly from it's 3 year sleep.
 

FERRARI P4/5 BY PININFARINA

This fully "street legal" (it has been built to US DOT/EPA standards and the new components were crash tested via computer for crumple and roll over ability) but one-off supercar, which weighs 1,200kg, is very closely based around the chassis and mechanicals of the Ferrari Enzo

FERRARI P4/5 BY PININFARINA

The unique Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina, which pays tribute to the legendary 330 P4 racing car, is due to be officially unveiled at next month's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.


The amount of engineering to get to this point boggles the mind and The Pininfarina Special Project Team continues to amaze me with their ability to meet all of these challenges. I'm also very happy to report that Ferrari is very pleased and is giving full technical support as well.

"We continued on to the secondary road and set off. Pininfarina had already put on a few hundred test miles and reported all was well so when it came time to pass I rolled on the throttle and felt the hand of God push me back into the seat. You immediately feel just how light she is. The brakes are SUPER and the wider tyres really grip. The suspension feels great as it works and the motor sings. When you get to 3000rpm the exhaust shunts to the new system and it sounds like that the horn that blows before the Four Horsemen ride into view.

"We headed to the Autostrada and put her though a few gears as we left the toll gate. The Video Jesse shot from the chase vehicle is unlike any I've seen. P 4/5 pulls away and vanishes into the distance like an F-16 launching from a carrier deck. As she vanished the only thing than seemed strange is that she was still on the earth not standing on her tail in afterburner mode shooting towards the heavens...'Ground Control to Major Tom...' "

Text: FerrariChat

 

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19.07.2006

First photos of the Ferrari P4/5, an Enzo uniquely restyled by Pininfarina, commissioned by collector Jim Glickenhaus and inspired by the famous Ferrari 330 P4, have broken cover ahead of its debut at Pebble Beach

© 2006 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed