1978 Ferrari 312 T3 - Images, Specifications and Information

Model history:

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By 1973 Ferrari was no longer able to compete with the Cosworth DFV engined 'kit-cars' from the UK. It's flat 12 engine 312 B proved a winner when first introduced in 1970 with four victories, but in 1973 the Scuderia won not one F1-race. In order to become competitive again Enzo Ferrari made some major personnel changes and pulled the Scuderia out of sports car racing. Mauro Forghieri was reinstated as chief-engineer and set out to completely re-design the flat 12 engine. Appointed as team-manager was Luca de Montezemelo, who has been associated with Ferrari in various functions for over thirty years now. Finally a new driver pairing was signed for 1974l Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni.

Many modifications were carried through in the 312 B3 for 1974. Lauda proved the speed of the modified B3, securing nine pole positions. Poor reliability meant that only two out of the nine poles materialised in victories. Regazzoni scored another victory and was runner up in the championship behind McLaren's Emerson Fittipaldi. Three victories was a major improvement over the 1973 season, but there was more to come from the 'new team'.

At the end of the season, work was started on a new car, main focus was to construct a very compact racer. The new transverse gearbox helped to keep the weight between the front and rear axle and gave the new car its namel 312 T (transversale). Centering the weight makes cornering easier. The gearbox was directly bolted on a 485 bhp version of the flat 12 engine. Although slightly heavier than the DFV engine, the 12 cylinder unit outpowered its British counterpart by at least 20 bhp.

All the improvements made and the talented driver pairing gave Ferrari the best chance in years to win a championship again. However it wasn't until the third Grand Prix that Lauda got his hands on the 312 T, but when he did he proved the pace was there with a pole position, closely followed by his team-mate in the other 312 T. A crash in the first lap ended the hopes for the 312 T's maiden victory. All was well in the next couple of Grands Prix, with Lauda winning four out of the next five races. Regazzoni won the all important Italian Grand Prix at Monza and Lauda grabbed the victory in the final Grand Prix of the year. Lauda secured Ferrari's first driver's title since Surtees' title of 1964 and the Scuderia took the constructor's title as well.

New airbox regulations forced Ferrari to launch a first evolution of the 312 T halfway through the 1976 season. Dubbed the T2, it featured new air intakes on either side of the cockpit. Lauda was on his way to prolongue his title in the T2, but a heavy crash on the Nürburgring left him badly burned. In a remarkable short time he returned to the cockpit of his Ferrari, but he could not prevent McLaren's James Hunt to take the title. Lauda and T2 proved to be the winning formula in 1977 winning both the driver's and constructor's championships.

A change to Michelin's new radial tires required the construction of a completely revised chassis for 1978, but because the complete drivetrain was retained it was named 312 T3. At a time where Ferrari focused on matching their chassis to the new tires, Lotus turned the sport upside down with their ground effects cars. Although the T3 could not match the pace of the Lotus 78, its rock solid reliability record often put their drivers Carlos Reutemann and Gilles Villeneuve in contention for a victory.

At the end of the season Lotus' Mario Andretti was crowned world champion, closely followed by his team mate Ronnie Peterson and Ferrari's Reutemann. The Argentinean driver racked up four victories and the young Villeneuve scored his maiden win on home soil in the first Montreal Grand Prix on the track that is now known as the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Arguably the most beautiful Ferrari Formula 1 car ever constructed, the T3 holds a special spot in Ferrari's history, despite not reeling in the big prices.

Chassis: 032

The very first 312 T3 was used in just three races. Gilles Villeneuve debuted the car during the South African Grand Prix but failed the finish. Carlos Reutemann subsequently scored a victory in the US Grand Prix West at Long Beach. After its retirement chassis 032 was sold to the famous French racing car collector Jacques Setton. In 2001 it was acquired by the current owner who had the car fully refurbished. He is seen here in action at the 2008 Monaco Historic Grand Prix where he demonstrated the car.

Chassis: 034

Quite possibly the most famous of all five 312 T3s built, chassis 034 was used throughout the 1978 season by Gilles Villeneuve. He did not have the best of years until he scored his maiden victory at his home Grand Prix on the newly opened Montreal track. This has since been renamed the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Since the mid-1980s the ex-Villeneuve T3 has been owned by Pink Floyd drummer and renowned collector Nick Mason. At two rare outings, it is seen here at the 2007 Retromobile and later in the year during the Essen Motorshow.

Chassis: 035

This is the fourth of five T3s constructed, which was used by Gilles Villeneuve and Carlos Reutemann in 1978. Reutemann drove it to a victory in the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Jody Schekter used it for two more Grands Prix in the 1979 before the team switched to the ground-effects 312 T4. After its retirement, it was sold by the factory to a Swiss Collector. The current owner acquired the car at 2000 Gstaad auction. Chassis 035 has since been completely restored to full running order and raced for several seasons in historic events. It is seen here at the 2005 Silverstone Classic and the 2006 Monaco Historic Grand Prix.