News23 January 2023 by Andreas 1716 Viewed

the Porsche 964 Turbo One-Off by Ares Design Modena

When the Porsche 964 Turbo was launched in 1991, it faced an uphill battle to win its fans over: this new generation of the iconic sports car from Stuttgart had been handed the baton from the first 911 to bear the Turbo badge on its rear bonnet – the legendary 930 – a car that changed the sports GTs panorama forever.

Initially greeted with scepticism by enthusiasts, the Porsche 964 Turbo managed, over time, to carve out an important place in their hearts, in part, thanks to its exceptional design, dominated by the large whale-tail spoiler.

For ARES’s latest project, a one-off car, the luxury coachbuilder has chosen the 911 964 Turbo, interpreting and modifying it, both in the aesthetics and mechanics; ultimately imparting its DNA which imbues every one of its creations.

ARES, an expert in such projects, has over the years carried out many reimaginations aimed at giving new life to classic models: in 2018, the atelier created a stunning Corvette C2 Sting Ray, equipped with the engine of the 2017 Corvette C7.

With the Porsche 964 Turbo, ARES designers first modified the car’s rear, installing a new bonnet with ducktail spoiler and new alloy wheels with a design reminiscent of Fuchs rims – immortalised by the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 of the 1970s.

The Modenese craftsmen have created a new interior upholstery in leather and tartan fabric, decorated with a houndstooth motif, a gentle nod to the German manufacturer’s racing cars from yesteryear and one that ARES had already used on its Porsche 911 Targa GT3. Special attention has also been paid to the interface between car and driver: with new gauges and a PCCM infotainment system, specifically designed for classic Porsches.

In terms of performance, although the 964 Turbo never lacked numbers, ARES has refined the 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer, which now breathes better thanks to a more powerful turbine and intercooler, topping 425 Hp after the modification.

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The Porsche 911 964 Turbo by ARES is a unique creation, born from an enthusiast’s vision who wanted to realize his dream car. An object of desire, as exciting to drive as it is to look at.

the author

Andreas

Italian classic car enthusiast with German roots. Renowned as a respected figure in the classic car community, he serves as a jury member at various international concours d'elegance, including the Classic Gala Schwetzingen and Mantova. As a content creator, Andreas passionately shares his profound knowledge and appreciation for vintage automobiles. His heart beats for cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti, showcasing his discerning taste and dedication to preserving the timeless elegance of automotive history.

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The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer (BB), produced from 1973 to 1984, stands as one of Ferrari’s most radical shifts in design and engineering, thanks to the collaborative work with Pininfarina. The BB was Ferrari’s first mid-engine road car, marking a significant departure from Enzo Ferrari’s long-standing preference for front-engine designs. Its introduction signified a new chapter for Ferrari, aligning more closely with the trends set by other supercar manufacturers at the time.

Origins and Design Inspiration

Designed under the direction of Leonardo Fioravanti, the Ferrari 365 GT4 BB (the first iteration of the BB series) debuted at the 1971 Turin Auto Show, and production began in 1973. One fascinating anecdote about the car is that its “BB” initials reportedly stood for Brigitte Bardot, the famous French actress, which was a codename used during development and remained with the model.

The BB’s design was sleek and revolutionary. It featured a wedge-shaped, low-profile body, which became a staple of 1970s supercar aesthetics. One of its unique design elements was the bicolored bodywork, with a black lower section that visually slimmed the car while emphasizing its elongated shape. Its pop-up headlights and minimalist, flowing lines were indicative of Pininfarina’s ability to combine functionality with elegance, helping the car stand out from its competitors.

Mid-Engine Innovation

Before the BB series, Ferrari had always adhered to front-engine layouts for its road cars, famously stating, “Never put the cart before the horse.” However, the mid-engine layout, which Ferrari had already used in its Dino models, became necessary as rivals like Lamborghini began popularizing the mid-engine format in supercars.

The 512 BB (introduced in 1976) featured a 5.0-liter flat-12 engine, mounted in the middle of the car, right behind the driver, delivering 360 horsepower. While this engine was commonly referred to as a “Boxer,” it was technically a 180-degree V12, not a true Boxer engine. In a true Boxer engine, opposing pistons move in opposite directions, but in the 512 BB, they moved simultaneously in the same direction This flat configuration allowed for a lower center of gravity, which significantly improved the car’s handling.

Performance and Engineering Marvels

The 512 BB was more than just a stylish car—it was a high-performance machine capable of a top speed of 302 km/h (187 mph) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. The car’s engineering wasn’t just limited to its engine. It featured independent suspension on all four wheels and a sophisticated five-speed manual transmission mounted below the engine, showcasing Ferrari’s commitment to performance.

Over the years, the BB saw several iterations. The BB 512i, introduced in the early 1980s, swapped the carburetors for Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, which lowered emissions and improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing too much power. Although the power dropped slightly to 340 hp, it remained one of the fastest road cars of its era.

Legacy and Influence

The BB series laid the groundwork for Ferrari’s later mid-engine supercars, such as the Ferrari Testarossa, which succeeded the BB 512i in 1984. It also marked a significant shift for Ferrari, transitioning from the era of front-engine grand tourers to mid-engine supercars.

Today, the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer remains a prized collector’s item. Its combination of cutting-edge design by Pininfarina, revolutionary mid-engine layout, and Ferrari’s racing heritage makes it one of the most iconic cars in the brand’s history. With only 387 units produced of the original 365 GT4 BB, and slightly more of the later 512 BB and BB 512i models, its rarity further solidifies its place in the pantheon of classic supercars.

The Ferrari BB, both for its groundbreaking design and engineering, represents one of Ferrari’s most influential models. Its innovations in the mid-engine supercar market, coupled with Pininfarina’s masterful styling, continue to captivate enthusiasts and collectors to this day.

Which Ferrari model is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!