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  Ferrari 575 GTC      

  Article Image gallery (40) 2224 Specifications  
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Country of origin:Italy
Produced from:2003 - 2004
Introduced at:2003 Frankfurt Motor Show
Designed by:Pininfarina
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:Before December 1st, 2004
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Click here to download printer friendly versionFerrari was a dominant force in the GT racing during the 1950s and 1960s with the various incarnations of the legendary 250 GT category. After the 1966 season, the Italian manufacturer took a step back, offering various degrees of support only to privateers willing to race their production-based GT Ferraris. Over the next three decades, customers campaigned cars like the 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competitizione, 512 BB LM and F40 LM.

A change in this long-held tradition finally came at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) when the Ferrari 575 GTC was introduced. This was a GT1 racing version of the 575M Maranello production road car that had been introduced a year earlier. The development of this competition car was no doubt inspired by the success of the 550 Maranello based racers. Particularly the Prodrive-produced 550s were very competitive and had scored a class win at Le Mans just a few months earlier.

The 575 GTC was not actually created in-house as Ferrari had tasked specialists N-Technology with development and production of the new competition car. The work had already started before the 575M was available. The first three cars built in 2003 were based on the 550 Maranello, which differed in detail only. The base cars were fully stripped down and rebuilt with a steel roll-cage and carbon-fibre body work. The V12 engine was enlarged to displace just under six litres and mated to an XTrac six-speed sequential bodywork. With the mandatory restrictor fitted, the V12 was rated at 600 bhp. At 1,148 kg, it tipped the scales just under the 1,150 kg weight limit.

Two of the three prototypes were entrusted to the French JMB Racing team to compete in select rounds of the 2003 FIA GT Championship. It was a difficult debut season for the N-Technology built machines with reliability issues dogging the car throughout the season. The third prototype was the first completed to the definitive 575 GTC guise and was on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of 2003. The following month, JMB debuted the 575 GTC in the Estoril round of the FIA GT Championship. Driven by Fabio Babini and Philipp Peter, it was driven to a debut victory after starting fifth on the grid.

A lucrative venture, Ferrari managed to sell 12 examples, which were produced by N-Technology. Among the customer teamsracing the 575 GTC from the 2004 season onwards were JMB and GPC Giesse in the FIA GT Championship and Barron Connor Racing, who competed in long distance events like Sebring and Le Mans and also in the Le Mans Series. Sadly, the debut victory would remain the only international win for the 575 GTC. An 'Evo' upgrade package made little difference. Ultimately, the V12-engined machine proved not fast or reliable enough to take on the competition.

Although not a real success on track, the 575 GTC was significant as it reignited Ferrari's GT racing efforts. It was followed by the V8-engined F430 GTC built for the GT2 category by Michelotto on Ferrari's behest. The 575 GTC does remain as the last of the V12-engined Ferrari GT racers and the twelve cars have increased in value considerably during the last few years.

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  Article Image gallery (40) 2224 Specifications