Ferrari 348 Long Wheelbase Test Car

The factory built this 348 GTB with a new extended tail section and the rear wheels moved further aft to lengthen the wheelbase by about 10 inches. The room was made at the back to allow Ferrari to test larger, V12 engines in the car and there is no doubt that this would make it the coolest 348 evoluzione of them all.

According to E40racer.be, the 348LWB was used as a test-bed for the Tipo F140B engine that Ferrari developed specifically for the Enzo in the early 2000s, from the new V12 engine they shared with Maserati, although it is unclear why they would choose such an outdated vehicle as the 348 to test it in. Could it be that it was more likely used to test the older Formula 1 Dino V12 engine developed for the F50 in the 90s? It also appears to have the protruding quad round rear lights from the F355, although I'd imagine this predates it, so a very interesting vehicle indeed. I will endeavor to find out more!

** Single line entry in the 348 Wikipedia page - "This vehicle also served as a test mule for the Ferrari Enzo. Three of these were made", so maybe E40racer could be correct. I'd love to see more pictures and specs of these cars.

Lancia Stratos HF Turbo - Group 5

As if the normal Stratos HF wasn't mad enough, Lancia developed a handful of silhouette road-racing cars, re-designed from the ground up on a tubular-frame chassis, with a dramatic body overhaul. The front and tail section were significantly extended to give the car more stability, while the trademark short wheelbase remained the same. With the giant KKK turbo strapped on, Lancia got the engine up from the 280bhp of the rally-version to a whopping 560bhp.

Turbos weren't allowed in rally by this point though, which is a shame as this mid-70s hyper-car missed Group B by five years. It's clear to see how this project inspired the mid-engined 037 and Delta S4 Group B cars that followed.

Ferrari 166 MM Vignale Spyder

Based on an outgoing 166 MM racer, these specials had a totally re-designed aero-body by Vignale, featuring faired in headlights, twin chromed engine vents and a larger, forward-tilted front-grille.

Standard 166 MM on which it was based:

For the standard 166 MM go here:

Lancia Hyena 'Zagato' 1990

4WD turbo coupe lightweight based on the Delta Integrale. Not the best looking Lancia, but of the 24 made only 3 were sent to the UK, so they are currently worth £100,000!

Lancia Flaminia 'Loraymo' Coupe 1960

Ferrari 250GTO 'Breadvan'

Ferrari denied a 250GTO to some of his defected employees so they developed the 'Breadvan' GTO from a slightly older 250s SWB Competizione to rival the works team. Shorter and lighter, it was in many ways better than the real GTO and Ferrari Classiche have since given the car an 'Attestazione' of significance to their heritage, without being their design.

Ferrari 250GTO - Both Body Styles

Original, iconic 1962 'Fastback' Body.

1964 end of the line cars had a total body re-design, with a flat tail and longer bonnet-bulge, looking more like the mid-engined 250LM of the same year. Only 3 of the new shape cars were built, but a handful of older cars returned to Maranello to have the styling updates made, either advertised as an enhancement or out of owner pride.

For the 250GTO 'Breadvan' special go here: Ferrari 250GTO 'Breadvan'