Ferrari 312 B3

Photo: Rahil Rupawala · CC BY 2.0

Debut1973

EngineFlat-12 (180°)

Two distinct cars carried the name 312 B3. The first version, built by Forghieri as a radical design with angular coachwork, a full-width nose, and a very short wheelbase, was tested by Merzario and Ickx but never entered a Grand Prix; the Italian press nicknamed it "spazzaneve" (snowplow). For 1973, Fiat put a new technical team in place, Forghieri moved to the experimental department, and the project made way for a new 312 B3 featuring a full monocoque from the British company TC Prototypes and a stressed engine.

Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.

Good to know

The first B3 had angular bodywork with a full-width nose on a very short wheelbase; the Italian press dubbed it "spazzaneve," or snowplow.
Merzario and Ickx tested the snowplow, but it never took part in a Grand Prix.
The monocoque of the second B3 was built by the British specialist firm TC Prototypes under the direction of John Thompson.
Sandro Colombo, previously an engineer at Gilera and Innocenti, took over Forghieri's role after Fiat management instituted a new technical team.

Learn moreTwo cars, one name

Two cars, one name

Forghieri initially penned a radical car featuring boxy bodywork and a full-width nose on a very short wheelbase. When Fiat management brought in a new engineering team in 1973, Forghieri was reassigned to the experimental division. The snowplow project was abandoned and replaced by a design that retained the 312 B3 name. It received a complete monocoque from TC Prototypes, and the engine became a load-bearing member of the chassis.

Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.

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From the same model family

1970

Ferrari 312B

1970–1975 · Flat-12 (180°)

1971

Ferrari 312 B2

1971 · Flat-12 (180°)