Ferrari 612 Can Am

Manufacturer	Ferrari
Production	1968
Class	Race car
Layout	Rear
Engine	V12 379.66 cu in, 6,222 cu cm
Transmission	mechanical; gears: 4 + reverse
Wheelbase	96.46 in, 2,450 mm
Width	88.19 in, 2,240 mm
Height	35.04 in, 890 mm
Curb weight	1,543 1b, 700 kg
Max speed	211.3 mph, 340 km/h.

The Ferrari 612 CanAm, as the Ferrari 612P (prototype) was a CanAm prototype of Ferrari from the 1960s

History

Built in 1968 and used in 1968 and 1969 .As a result of the well-known controversy over the regulations which fixed a limit of 3 litres for the engine capacity of prototypes, while engines of up to 5 litres were permitted for sports cars (which were practically the same but with the added condition that at least 50 had to be built), in 1968 Ferrari did not take part in prototype racing, and therefore the experimental P 5 shown at the Geneva Motor Show was nothing more than an exercise in coachbuilding.

The Ferrari 612 began in the North American racing series in 1968 and 1969. In 1968, the Scuderia's leadership decided to build and deploy its own sports car for the popular CanAm racing series in Canada and the United States. 1967 came a converted Ferrari 412P as 412 CanAm used. The North American Racing Team of Luigi Chinetti organized the race missions.

The 612, which is powered by the largest engine Ferrari have ever made at the time, both in engine capacity and power. It is interesting to note how well this engine illustrates the technical progress that has been made for, although it is not much larger than the three-litre and no larger than the old five-litre, it can produce much greater power, with a decidedly improved power-weight ratio. The 12-cylinder mid-engine that was originally used in the Ferrari 512S. The engine made with a capacity of just 6.2 litres 620 hp. In order to achieve a sufficient grip of the rear wheels despite this performance, a powerful rear wing was mounted just behind the driver above the engine.

PERFORMANCE

• Max speed: 211.3 mph, 340 km/h.
• Max power: 620 hp at 7,000 rpm
• Max. Torque: 588 Nm at 5600 rpm
• Specific power: 100 hp/l

This car, which, had taken part in various races in the Can Am series, and the construction of this large engine is certainly the forerunner of further developments in the field of the manufacture of GT cars. The car debuted in the fall of 1968. The New Zealander Chris Amon , factory driver of the Scuderia in Formula 1 and the sports car world championship, fell out of the race in Las Vegas after a lap by accident. The entire season 1969 was only partially successful, since the Scuderia operations operate only with limited commitment. Chris Amon's second-place finish in Edmonton remained the best finish for the car throughout the season. Amon managed with the third places in Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio, after all, two more podium finishes. 1970 followed the Ferrari 712 CanAm.