The Ferrari P3/412P is a legendary race car that emerged in the mid-1960s as a successor to the 365 P2. The P3/412P was developed to compete in the World Sportscar Championship and other endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ferrari introduced the P3 in 1966, featuring a revised engine and improved aerodynamics compared to its predecessor. However, it soon evolved into the 412P, which was a more customer-oriented version of the P3. The 412P had a carbureted two-valve motor, a slightly shorter wheelbase, and a different chassis compared to the 330 P3. Only four 412Ps were built, making them extremely rare and desirable today.
The P3/412P cars had a mid-mounted alloy V12 engine with a 3.989-liter displacement and an 11:1 compression ratio, producing 420 bhp at 8000 rpm. With an aluminum body and semi-monocoque frame, the car had a top speed of around 190 mph.
One of the most notable drivers of the Ferrari P3/412P was Nino Vaccarella, an Italian racing driver who achieved significant success in endurance racing. Vaccarella raced for Scuderia Ferrari, and his victories included the 1964 Targa Florio and the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. Known for his skill and dedication, Vaccarella became a fan favorite and a symbol of Ferrari’s racing prowess during the 1960s.
In recent times, enthusiasts like John Nino have sought to recreate the P3/412P due to its rarity and historical significance but, none have succeeded like John in building such a masterpiece. A literal rocket scientist, John Nino spent a decade recreating a 1967 Ferrari 412P. Nino crafted a dimensionally accurate aluminum body and chromoly chassis, fabricating about 75% of the required parts. He credits the support of various fabricators and the vintage car community for making the build possible.
Nino’s friendship with Ferrari legend David Piper also played a significant role, as Piper provided rare parts, racing history lessons, and support for using a modern 600hp V12 engine from a 550 Maranello. Nino’s engineering background, training, and project management skills helped him overcome challenges during the project.
He is considering working on a Ford GT 40, Bizzarrini, or ISO Grifo project next.
