Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Ferrari 637
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ferrari 637 was a Ferrari racing car designed to run in the American CART series. It was designed by Gustav Brunner and, although unveiled to the press in 1986, it never raced as a Ferrari.
Unhappy with the impending engine regulations in Formula One (which stipulated that the engine must be a V8 configuration), Enzo Ferrari commissioned the design of an Champ carIndyCar. He made no secret of his desire to win the Indianapolis 500; however, many believe that his threat to leave F1 for CART was merely a bargaining tool to make the FIA rethink their engine regulations. Ultimately, this car was never raced as a Ferrari, but was passed on to fellow FIAT subsidiary Alfa Romeo, who were looking to improve their market share in the US.
For a car that was supposedly only a bargaining tool, the 637 was well engineered and carefully thought out. The upper body was made of aluminium, mechanically bonded and glued to the lower carbon frame. The Type 034 engine was a turbocharged 32-valve, 90-degree 2.65-litre V8, as per the CART regulations, which used upward mounted exhausts. When Alfa Romeo unveiled their (unrelated) 2.65-litre Indycar engine, it was in the back of a March chassis; however it was seen testing at Fiorano in the 637 chassis.
Official Ferrari Site [1]
Atlas F1 Article (with images) [2]
grandprix.com article [3]