Ferrari from the sand...

Thought I'd just show these sand sculptures from Egypt, I think, of the Ferrari 250GTO. I believe it's from an art exhibition and this piece is titled "Ferrari and the Gorgon", I guess because it has something a bit like one on the bonnet. Be nicer with a Le Mans number placard, wouldn't it.

Ferrari 250 GT Interim - 1959

Later examples of Ferrari's 250 GT Tour de France were given updated front-ends that would be continued in the model's successor the 250 GT SWB, though the 1950s tail-fins of the TDF were dropped in favour of a 'fastback' coupe rear. At the end of 1959, while ushering in the new model, the final seven long wheelbase TDFs were given a new rear-end with no fins, testing out the design of the 250SWB and showcasing the transition into the new design principle, while using the traditional chassis. As such, they were given the 250 GT Interim moniker.

The Interim bridged the gap between the 250TDF with the tail-fin rear, below left, and the fastback 250SWB, below right. Interims are slightly longer than the latter and distinguishable by the rear quarter-light behind the side windows.

For the 250TDF, on which the Interim is based go here: Ferrari 250 GT TDF (Tour de France)

For the Interim's successor, the 250SWB go here:

Ferrari 250 GT TDF (Tour de France)

The Tour de France was a newly styled version of Ferrari's staple V12 250 chassis, introduced to commemorate the marques win in a historic French motor race of the same name and intended primarily for GT racing. 84 were produced between 1956 and 1959.

1st. Gen - 1956 - 1958 - The 250TDF was constantly under development so no two cars were quite alike, with things like body-trim and roof-height varying throughout the model's lifespan. The overall body shape remained the same however, as the original 1956 version, pictured below, with covered headlights and tail-fin rear.

2nd. Gen - 1959 - The final year of production saw a redesign of the front-end, to accommodate uncovered headlights and improve visibility, which had become required by Italian law, though the finned rear-end stayed.

The facelift to the later model appears to have defined Ferrari's new design principle, employed in the TDF's successor, the 250 GT SWB, although the tail-fins were dropped. In the final days of the 250TDF's production the factory built 7 updated versions with no fins to test and usher in the new 250SWB body on the older, long wheelbase platform. These very special crossover models were known as the 250GT Interim, below left. A handful of TDF's were also given an aerodynamic makeover by styling-house Zagato, known as the 250GTZ, below right.

For an overview of the 250 series go here:

For the GT Interim crossover version of the 250TDF go here: Ferrari 250 GT Interim - 1959

For the Zagato restyled 250GTZ, based on the TDF go here: Ferrari 250GTZ (Zagato)

Ferrari 250GTZ (Zagato)

This was a low-drag aero-bodied version of the 250TDF (Tour de France) racing coupe, developed by Zagato in 1956, marking the start of their design partnership with Ferrari. 5 were produced.

For the 250TDF GT racer on which the 250GTZ is based go here: Ferrari 250 GT TDF (Tour de France)

For the 2006 575GTZ that evokes the 250GTZ's design go here: Ferrari 575GTZ (Zagato)

Ferrari 575M Superamerica

High-volume convertible 'spider' version of Ferrari's then flagship 575M Maranello grand tourer, introduced in the final year of the model's production from 2005 to 2006.

The Supamerica featured an electrochromic roof, where the transparency can be varied electrically. The roof also peels back to rotate over into the boot recess. Both these features were production car firsts. Ferrari claimed it was the fastest available open-top car available at the time, with a 199mph top speed.

Video of the roof:

For the standard coupe 575M Maranello grand tourer go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

Ferrari 575GTZ (Zagato)

In 2006 Ferrari commissioned Italian styling firm Zagato to produce a dramatically re-styled one-off model of their flagship at the time, the V12 575M Maranello, for an esteemed customer in Japan.

The body was completely redesigned to evoke the 250GTZ, a handful of Ferrari 250s modified by Zagato in the 1950s, pictured bottom. It also seemed to set Ferrari's new design principle for their following GT cars, the 599 and smaller 612 Scaglietti.

Ferrari 250GT Zagato on which the 575GTZ's design is based:

For the standard 575M Maranello grand tourer go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

For the 1956 250GTZ on which it is based go here: Ferrari 250GTZ (Zagato)

Ferrari 575GTC

The 575GT Competizione were a handful of stripped-out racing car versions of Ferrari's then flagship 575M grand tourer, developed in 2003 by the factory itself, unlike its Prodrive built predecessor, the 550GTS, though strikingly similar in design.

Used again by privateers in GT racing, 575GTC achieved some success on track, but ultimately it never proved as competitive as the 550GTS and had bowed out of racing completely by 2005.

For the standard 575M Maranello V12 grand tourer go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

For the race-car predecessor to the 575GTC, the 550GTS, go here: Ferrari 550GTS

Ferrari 550GTS

In 2001, Ferrari commissioned tuning firm Prodrive to develop 10 stripped-out track-only versions of the V12, front-engined 550 Maranello grand tourer, to be raced by privateer teams in various GT series, particularly the Le Mans 24hr.

The body got a dramatic redesign to accommodate the widened track-width and serious aero gear for downforce, while the engine got moved further back and the weight lowered to under 1100kg.

For the standard 550 Maranello GT-car go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

For the race-car successor to the 550GTS, the 575GTC go here: Ferrari 575GTC

Ferrari 'Rossa' Concept Car

Two-seat, open-top concept car, based on the V12, front-engined 550 Maranello, designed by Pininfarina in 2000.

Ferrari 550 Barchetta

Limited production convertible version of the 550 Maranello front-engine V12 grand tourer, built at the end of the models production from 2000 - 2001. A true open-top 'Spider', the Barchetta has no fold-away roof. It comes with a clip on canopy, pictured, but it can't withstand driving at high speed.

For the standard coupe 550 go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

Front engined V12 grand tourer and the Ferrari flagship, successor to the mid-engine Testarossa chassis.

550 Maranello - 1996 to 2001

For the convertible 550 'Barchetta' go here: Ferrari 550 Barchetta

For the 550GTS race car go here: Ferrari 550GTS

For the 'Rossa' concept car, based on the 550 go here: Ferrari 'Rossa' Concept Car

575M Maranello - 2002 to 2006 - Updated lights and front bumper/grille.

For the 575GTC racing-car version go here: Ferrari 575GTC

For the targa-top 575 'Superamerica' go here: Ferrari 575M Superamerica

For the one-off Zagato special 575GTZ go here: Ferrari 575GTZ (Zagato)

Lancia 037 'Monte Carlo' Rally Car

The 037 was mid-engined, turbocharged rally car, designed in 1981 to compete in the new Group B series. It was the last of the great rear-wheel drive rally cars, culminating the tail-out action of the 1970s and bringing the latest race-car technology. It was cut down in its prime however, by the revolutionary 4WD Audi Quattro and within a year or two of other factories catching up, the 037 was left barely in the running and gave way to development of the Delta S4. The 037 ushered in the Martini sponsorship and livery, in which Lancia's rally cars are probably best remembered and they continued to use until the team dropped out of motorsport in the 1990s.

Although it is known as a ' Beta Monte Carlo', they share no mechnical parts. The 037 is a tube-frame silhouette racer with a body designed to evoke the Monte Carlo to boost sales.

For the outgoing Beta Monte Carlo coupe road car, go here: Lancia Beta 'Monte Carlo'

Lancia Beta 'Monte Carlo'

Sharing only the name with the rest of the Beta range, this was a, bespoke mid-engined, 2-litre, 2-door mini-coupe, quite unlike anything else seen before in the price range and probably served as inspiration for affordable MR sports-cars like the Toyota MR2 and MGF that came after. Badged as the Lancia Scorpion in America, with a few styling changes to meet US regulations.

It gave its name and body shape to the 037 'Monte Carlo' Group B rally car to advertise the model, but shared no mechanics. The 037 was a custom built silhouette racer.

Beta Monte Carlo - Uk / Europe 1975 to 1982

Available as a fixed-head coupe, above, and a targa-top Spider, below.

Scorpion - USA 1975 to 1982 - Round headlights, larger soft-plastic bumpers and all-orange running lights.

For the 037 'Beta Monte Carlo' Group B rally car go here: Lancia 037 'Monte Carlo' Rally Car

Ferrari Testarossa Spider

Ferrari commissioned only one convertible 'Spider' Testarossa as a gift for the chairman of Fiat at the time. It was also a design exercise to see if the model would be viable, but they decided it wasn't due to structural limitation. Instead, a handful of unofficial versions of the same specification were made to order by Pininfarina.

For the standard 'berlinetta' Testarossa go here: Ferrari Testarossa, 512TR, F512M

Ferrari Testarossa, 512TR, F512M

Probably the most iconic and instantly recognizable of all Ferraris, the Testarossa arrived in 1984 to replace the 512BBi as the brand's flagship supercar, keeping the 12-cylinder boxer engine. It survived in updated forms for over a decade until 1996, when Ferrari moved back into front-engined grand tourers for their flagship models, using the more familiar Dino V12 engine.

Testarossa - 1984 to 1991

High wing-mirror model.

512 TR - 1991 to 1994 - Front and rear styling changes with rounded running-light clusters and chrome 'Cavallino' front-grille in line with the 348 and other Ferraris at the time.

F512M - 1994 to 1996 - New style wheels, the pop-up headlights are removed and faired-in to improve aerodynmics and the front-grille is updated again to the rounder shape appearing on other Ferraris including the F512M's successor, the 550 Maranello and the smaller 456 GT. In my opinion this was a misguided way to end the Testarossa model - the headlights give it a kit-car look and without that trademark grille, the rear-end seems to imitate its arch rival of the day, the Lamborghini Diablo.

For the convertible 'Spider' Testarossa specials go here: Ferrari Testarossa Spider

For the limited-run Koenig Evolution Testarossa go here: Ferrari Koenig Competition Evolution

Ferrari 348 - TB, TS, GTB, GTS, Spyder

Mid-engined 3.4L V8 sports/supercar that arrived in 1989 to replace the middle of the range 328 body style that had been around for ages in different guises. It took design cues from the Testarossa body-style - sheer front and slatted-grilles - and started the iconic mid-size Ferrari shape that lived on through the F355.

348TB - Berlinetta (Coupe) - 1989 - 1993

348TS - Spyder (Targa Top) - 1989-1993

Changes for 1993 to 1995 were the addition of the G prefix to the model name and some small styling updates - chromed 'Cavallino' front-grille and a larger, chrome Cavallino horse badge on the rear grille panel.

Ferrari Koenig Competition Evolution

After the success of their 512 BBi evo, Ferrari licensed German tuning firm Koenig to provide similar enhancements for a batch of 25 new Testarossas in 1985. These included a complete aero-body package and twin-turbos, giving a claimed 1000bhp from the Boxer 12. The car achieved a recorded top-speed of 229mph, leaving it still high up in the list of fastest low-volume production specials.

Ferrari 512BB LM

A 500bhp, stripped out evo-version of the superb, flat-12 engined 512BB supercar designed in 1979 purely for private entry racing, including Le Mans 24 hrs. Paul Newman owned and raced one.

The body was designed by PininFarina to achieve high top-speeds on the straight at Le Mans and it clearly heralded the start of Ferrari's aerodynamic design philosophy in their racing and high-speed road cars through the 80s and 90s - 288GTO Evoluzione, F40, Testarossa etc. - with the sheer, rather than wedge-shaped, nose section.