The year is 1951. The Formula One World Championship is
still in its infancy, Alfa Romeo is the team to beat, and Ferrari has yet to
claim a single win in the top tier of international motor racing. Given a
modern look at what Ferrari has become, it’s an almost inconceivable thought,
but it wasn’t a streak that was about to last long.
In July of 1951, Ferrari driver Jose Froilan Gonzales
crosses the line at the British Grand Prix, earning the constructor its
very first win in Formula One. Nearly 60 years later to the day, Ferrari F1
racer Fernando Alonso repeats Gonzalez’s momentous win in Great Britain—the
only F1 win the team would receive in 2011.
The miraculous achievement and its historical significance
were cause for celebration, and in December 2011, Ferrari let loose the
confetti and crafted this stunning tribute—the 599 GTB Alonso Edition
60F1. Suffice it to say, this is quite the Prancing Horse.
To create the Formula 1 tribute, Ferrari first began with
the 599 GTB sports car, complete with its 611-horsepower 6.0-liter V12 engine
pushed far back in the chassis, quick shifting six-speed gearbox, and
magnetorheological shock absorbers. Then, Ferrari upgraded each 599 chassis to
“HGTE” specification, which included tougher and shorter springs as well as
tightened anti-roll bars. It’s a car that can surely corner, and now it looks
every bit of a “Scuderia Ferrari” racer for the road.
On the outside, the company offered each of its limited
run “60F1” 599 GTBs with a choice of three color options—one derived from
Gonzalez’s 1951 375 F1 car, and two reminiscent of Alonso’s 2011 150 Italia F1
car. Inside, buyers received either Sabelt or Recaro racing seats, black
Alcantara upholstery, and plenty of carbon fiber trim. When fully provoked,
this 599 can dash from zero to 60 mph in under 3.7 seconds, and if kept on
the throttle, it will do 205 mph. That’s F1 fast.
source: http://news.boldride.com/2015/08/ferrari-fernando-alonso-special-edition/86473/
by Zach Doell
Photo Credit: David Newhardt, Mecum Auctions
http://www.fzrestoration.com
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