Just4P4 – inspired by the Ferrari 330 P4

hover and click over individual sculpture photographs to enlarge

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The Car

These cars are rare…..just four made. They are exceeding valuable, with one older price guide listing the “high” value at $34,000,000. They are beautiful to see in blood-red hues and to hear their 4 liter V12s scream. In Ford’s backyard, the P4s finished three abreast at the Daytona 24 hours, taking all of the podium spots. It almost makes one forget the cars didn’t achieve the key aim of their existence — to win LeMans, (Ford’s J-car did).

Post WWII to 1962, front-engine cars ruled at LeMans. In this period at Circuit de la Sarthe Ferrari was victorious six times, and Jaguar five times. Formula One race cars rapidly transitioned to mid-engine in 1958-1960, typically Ferrari being a late adapter. LeMans prototypes transitioned to mid-engine designs more slowly, Ferrari in 1963. Ferrari would win LeMans three times in the post-1962 mid-engine era…… equalled by both Peugeot and Matra, and shaded by Ford (4), Porsche (18), and Audi (13).

I’m a real fan boy of LeMans history, though I fell off the wagon somewhat during the recent decades of Audi’s dominance. I was fortunate to attend the race in 2008 when my countryman Jacques Villeneuve finished a credible second in the Peugeot. I’m content to catch the race on TV now…….though in-opportune timing saw me miss out on a simultaneous sim-racing 24 hour team contest in 2015. Hopefully, someday.

The Stone

So many iconic LeMans racers to choose from for sculpting. Though Ferraris raced at LeMans in many colors for the “secondary teams” (Belgian, Swiss, French, UK, USA, Venetian) the main factory team always raced in red. All 9 LeMans winning Ferraris were graced with red livery. So, I needed to find a suitable red marble.

Which wasn’t easy. Thankfully, after months and months of dead ends, a favorite supplier said he had the answer, and indeed he did. Laguna Rosso from Turkey is blood red, with subtle black-grey veining. Perfect for LeMans competing Ferraris.

I’d love to do more LeMans Ferraris. The 330 P4 wasn’t a LeMans winner, but it was gorgeous. Some of the most loved and recognizable race cars didn’t win key races or championships. You’ll meet several of them within this website…….but a partial list, the Porsche 917L, Tyrrell six-wheel P34, Auto Union Stromlinie, Panoz GT1, Lotus Indy Turbine, DeltaWing, Maserati 450S and 151, etc).