1972 Ferrari 312 PB

In the world of sports car racing, few cars are as iconic and legendary as the Ferrari 312 PB. This sleek, powerful racing prototype was a dominant force in the early 1970s, winning numerous races and championships across the globe. And at the heart of this legendary car was the 1972 model, a stunning piece of automotive engineering that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in sports car racing.

The story of the 1972 Ferrari 312 PB begins in 1969, when the Italian car manufacturer was acquired by Fiat. This provided a much-needed boost of financial support to Ferrari’s racing program, which had been struggling in recent years. Over the next few years, Ferrari engineers worked tirelessly to create a new sports prototype that would dominate the competition.

The result was the 312 PB, which made its debut in mid-1971. This car was fitted with a dry-sump lubrication system, Lucas fuel injection, and a 3-litre flat-12 engine that developed 460 horsepower at 10,800 rpm. With a weight of less than 650 kilograms, the 312 PB was a lightweight, nimble car that was perfect for endurance races.

One of the most famous 312 PBs was chassis 0886, which was assigned as one of the principal six Scuderia Ferrari Works cars for the 1972 Group 6 sports prototype racing season. In its debut at the Buenos Aires 1,000 Kilometres in January 1972, Works drivers Ronnie Peterson and Tim Schenken drove 0886 to its first of three pole positions that season. Wearing race number 30, the car leapt out to the lead following a flying start, and eventually won the race.

Over the next few months, 0886 and the other 312 PBs continued to dominate the competition, winning races at Daytona, Sebring, and Monza. At the Nürburgring 1,000 Kilometres in May, Peterson and Schenken again earned pole position, and the car roared to a resounding victory. This win secured Ferrari’s victory in the 1972 Championship, and cemented the 312 PB’s place in racing history.

After its racing career was over, chassis 0886 was sold to a number of different owners, including Harley Cluxton and S. Robson Walton, the longtime Chairman of Walmart. In 1998, the car was sold to a German collector who then entered it in the Spa Ferrari Days, where it was driven by none other than Jacky Ickx, one of the principal 1972 team drivers.

Today, the 1972 Ferrari 312 PB remains a beloved and highly sought-after car among collectors and racing enthusiasts. Its stunning design, incredible performance, and numerous victories make it one of the most iconic sports prototypes in automotive history. And although it’s been more than 50 years since the 312 PB first hit the track, its legacy lives on, inspiring new generations of racing fans and car enthusiasts.