Page 1 of 2 Next >> When several customers approached Ferrari with the suggestion of developing a Group 4 rally version of the 308 GTB, the Italian manufacturer suggested they turn to the company's representative in Padua, Michelotto. Although Ferrari were never directly involved, they did keep a close eye on the Group 4 program. Impressed with the results of the privately developed cars, Ferrari themselves partnered with Michelotto to construct an altogether more extreme Group B car towards the end of 1982.
With only very few restrictions in place, the Group B regulations allowed Michelotto to make more substantial modifications. The first order of business was to turn the engine around from a transverse to a longitudinal position. This allowed for much easier access to the engine and especially the gearbox. Ferrari's parts-bin was raided for the suspension components, which were then modified to rigours of rally racing. Included in the conventional double wishbone setup were 308 front hubs and the anti-dive geometry of the Mondial.
Once the first chassis was completed, early in 1983, it was sent to specialist coach-builder Auto Sport di Bacchelli Villa. The all-new design used the lessons learned by Pininfarina while developing the slippery body for the 512 BBLM GT a few years earlier. Although considerably more compact with short front and rear overhangs, there was a clear similarity between the 512 BBLM and the new Group B car. Combining old and new techniques, an aluminium buck was used to form the carbon-fibre composite and Kevlar panels. Page 1 of 2 Next >>
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When several customers approached Ferrari with the suggestion of developing a Group 4 rally version of the 308 GTB, the Italian manufacturer suggested they turn to the company's representative in Padua, Michelotto. Although Ferrari were never directly involved, they did keep a close eye on the Group 4 program. Impressed with the results of the privately developed cars, Ferrari themselves partnered with Michelotto to construct an altogether more extreme Group B car towards the end of 1982.