Towards the end of the 1960s, a regulation change restricted prototype sports cars to a maximum displacement of three litres. This placed significantly more emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency and resulted in some of the most striking and swooping sports racers. Among the most beautiful of these is undoubtedly the Ferrari 312 P Berlinetta that debuted in 1969. Effectively a Formula 1 car with fenders and a roof, the 312 P was powered by a fabulous three-litre V12 engine. Unfortunately, this Ferrari was not nearly as successful as it was beautiful. This was in no small part due to the arrival of the Porsche 917, which skirted the regulations as it qualified as a production sports car, which meant it could use a larger engine. Ferrari also stepped up to the plate with the 512 and the 312 Ps were sold off. The featured example is one of just two survivors and is raced and demonstrated at select occasions like the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. It will also race at this weekend's Monza Historic, where it should do very well considering its very slippery shape.
One of the 312 P's 1969 rivals, the Mirage M2 BRM, was also on hand at the Festival of Speed. Designed by Len Terry, it also featured a Formula 1 derived V12 engine and very swooping lines. Liveried in the striking Gulf colours, it was built and raced by John Wyer Automotive alongside the team famous Ford GT40s. The M2's career was short-lived as it was surpassed by the Cosworth DFV engine M3 halfway through the season. For 1970, JWA was enlisted by Porsche to run the latest 917s, which meant both the M2s and M3s were sidelined. The very rare M2 BRM is today part of the fabulous ROFGO Collection, which is dedicated to Gulf liveried machines.
Described by some as the most ego-centric supercar, the BAC Mono has been updated for the 2016 model year. The single-seater machine is now powered by a 2.5-litre Mountune-prepared Ford engine. The prototype debuted at Goodwood and, although not officially timed, completed a run in just 47.9 seconds, which was faster than any of the road-legal cars that were timed.

Enjoy the links:

1969 Ferrari 312 P Berlinetta - Images, Specifications and Information

1969 Mirage M2 BRM - Images, Specifications and Information

2016 BAC Mono 2.5 - Images, Specifications and Information