The Ferrari 312 P was a Group 6 Prototype used for racing in 1969 and 1970. It used a V12-engine derived from the F1 car Ferrari 312, detuned for endurance.
When the F1 car was fitted with a flat-12 engine with lower center of gravity, called boxer and marked Ferrari 312B, also the new 1971 version of the sports prototype came with the boxer engine, thus the Ferrari 312 PB is the successor.
History
After boycotting sports car racing in 1968 to protest a rule change that also banned their 4-litre 330 P4, Ferrari built a 3000cc prototype in 1969, the 312 P. It was hardly more than a 3-litre F1 Ferrari 312 with open Barchetta, and later the closed top Berlinetta.
Car in Racing
The first registered race was at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1969. Ferrari (short on money) started only one 312 P (chassis no. 0868). Mario Andretti got pole position, and with Chris Amon, he managed to finish second. This raised hopes for a prospective Ferrari victory.[1]