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  Ferrari 712 Can-Am      

  Article Image gallery (43) 1010 Specifications User Comments (1)  
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Country of origin:Italy
Produced from:1970 - 1972
Numbers built:1
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:July 25, 2005
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Click here to download printer friendly versionCan-Am veteran Mario Andretti was entrusted to drive the 712 on its debut. It's roadholding clearly reflected the 712's limited development, but the engine proved to be very potent. With a few aerodynamic modifications, Andretti managed to qualify fifth, just ahead of another European new comer; the Porsche 917/10. In an eventful race Andretti lost his rear wing, spun once, but still managed to finish fourth. Despite this promising debut, Ferrari once again retired 1010, which would have required a lot of resources to fully develop. Almost a year later Ferrari finally sold the barely used 712, unsurprisingly to Luigi Chinetti, who prepared the car for its third attempt at Watkins Glen.

Driven by the young French driver Jean Pierre Jarier, the 712 made two appearances in 1972 for Chinetti's NART (North American Racing Team) team. A development driver for March, Jarier suggested various changes to the aerodynamics to improve the handling. Despite these changes there was no stopping the Porsches, which had been continuously developed since their 1971 Watkins Glen debut. Jarier finished tenth at 'The Glen' and fourth at Road America a month later. The huge twelve cylinder engine again lay dormant for a considerable time, before it made its final competitive appearance in 1974, again at Watkins Glen. Despite never having driven the 712 Brian Redman raced it from the back of the grid to a second place, before he retired with a failed suspension arm.

After a dozen of races stretching over five seasons, Ferrari s/n 1010 was finally retired. The success of the 312PB in the World Sportscar Championship proved Ferrari was right in abandoning the expensive Can-Am project, but cars like the 712 often makes one wonder 'what if?' The unique machine remains as the most successful of the 25 512 racers and also the largest engined Ferrari ever constructed.

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  Article Image gallery (43) 1010 Specifications User Comments (1)