Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale: A Rare Icon’s Path to Recognition
Heritage Reclaimed - In the golden age of motorsports during the 1960s, the sound of roaring engines and the scent of burning rubber were unmistakably linked to Ferrari. The Italian marque dominated world racing circuits with undeniable flair, and it wasn’t just their wins that turned heads—it was the passion and innovation behind each car. From that era of relentless experimentation and bold design came one particularly fascinating chapter: the birth of the Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale, a unique fusion of American vision, Italian craftsmanship, and cinematic inspiration.
1968 Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale designed by Michelotti and was built on the chassis of the 1963 275 P2 race car. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
It all began with the groundbreaking Ferrari 250 P, a car that marked Ferrari’s daring shift to mid-engine architecture for its 12-cylinder racing machines. Debuting in 1963, the 250 P didn't take long to make an impression, clinching victories at Sebring, Le Mans, and Nürburgring. This success laid the foundation for its spiritual successor, the Ferrari 275 P2, which carried the legacy forward with its own share of triumphs. Yet from the bones of these champions, another creation would rise—one that stood apart from Ferrari’s usual track-bred machines.
1968 Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale designed by Michelotti based off Bob Peak's sketches on the initiative of Coco Chinetti Jr. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
The story of the Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale began with a man named Luigi 'Coco' Chinetti Jr., the son of famed Ferrari importer and ex-racer Luigi Chinetti Sr., who was a longtime associate of Enzo Ferrari. Chinetti Jr. envisioned something different—a Ferrari not only engineered for performance but designed to dazzle American tastes with futuristic elegance. In an era where television and pop culture were shaping consumer dreams, he saw potential in combining racing pedigree with cinematic flair. To bring this vision to life, he reached out to his friend, Robert Peak, a celebrated illustrator known for his iconic movie posters.
The AMT Piranha appeared in several episodes of the 1960s TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., serving as the inspiration for the Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale. (Picture from: Cars4Starters)
Inspired by the sleek AMT Piranha Spy Car from the hit TV show The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Peak drafted the concept of a car that would blend fantasy and performance. With a potential buyer already interested—a young woman enamored by futuristic designs—Chinetti Jr. was ready to turn sketches into steel. He and Peak traveled to Milan to pitch the idea to esteemed designer Giovanni Michelotti. But things didn’t go as planned. Michelotti initially refused the project, leaving Chinetti Jr. deeply disappointed. (Please note that the following video features the Ferrari 275 P2, not the Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale.)
Refusing to give up, Chinetti Jr. turned to the one person with enough influence to shift the tide—Enzo Ferrari himself. Through his father’s connections, Chinetti Jr. laid out the vision and the commercial potential of the project. Enzo, ever the patron of bold ideas, lent his support. With Ferrari’s backing, Michelotti agreed to design and build the car, using a damaged 1963 Ferrari 275 P2 (chassis #0812) as the donor. The car had suffered a crash and fire in 1965 but had already made a name for itself with appearances at Le Mans, Nürburgring, and Sebring.
1968 Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale designed by Michelotti was inspired by the design of the AMT Piranha Spy Car. (Picture from: Allcarindex)
From there, a dramatic transformation took place. The chassis was restored, a new engine was installed, and Michelotti sculpted an entirely new body that oozed style and sophistication. Gone were the raw, aggressive lines of a pure race car—replaced instead by a smooth, curvaceous design reminiscent of a high-end grand tourer. Its interior followed suit, offering comfort without compromising Ferrari’s performance DNA. One of its most striking features was a pair of gullwing-style doors, adding to its almost sci-fi appeal.
The authenticity of the Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale was doubted so that Coco Chinetty Jr. was sued in court by Ferrari in 1999. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
Beneath the beauty beat the heart of a thoroughbred: a 4.0-liter V12 engine capable of generating 410 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, launching the car to a theoretical top speed of 300 kilometers per hour. This was no mere showpiece—it was a machine that could run with the best of them, with the added charisma of Hollywood imagination.
Only one such car was built at the time, which is part of what makes the Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale so revered today. It stood as a bold concept—a cross-continental collaboration that fused American creativity, Italian engineering, and cinematic glamour into one unforgettable automobile.
1968 Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale designed by Michelotti is powered by a 4-liter V12 engine capable of producing up to 410 hp at 8,000 rpm, theoretically can make the car accelarates up to 300 kph. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
Years later, in 1999, the story of this rare creation took another twist. Luigi Chinetti Jr. oversaw the reconstruction of two additional units bearing chassis numbers #0812 and #0814, entrusted to Marco Baldi of Protauto in Italy. However, these efforts sparked controversy as Ferrari themselves questioned the authenticity of the builds, leading to a legal battle.
After a lengthy three-year court process, the verdict came in favor of Chinetti Jr., and the cars were legally recognized as genuine Ferrari vehicles. Eventually, even a third car (chassis #0818) received official recognition from Ferrari, bringing the count of authentic 275 P2 Speciale models to three.
It all began with the groundbreaking Ferrari 250 P, a car that marked Ferrari’s daring shift to mid-engine architecture for its 12-cylinder racing machines. Debuting in 1963, the 250 P didn't take long to make an impression, clinching victories at Sebring, Le Mans, and Nürburgring. This success laid the foundation for its spiritual successor, the Ferrari 275 P2, which carried the legacy forward with its own share of triumphs. Yet from the bones of these champions, another creation would rise—one that stood apart from Ferrari’s usual track-bred machines.
Though born from a single visionary spark and a passion project far outside Ferrari’s usual racing pursuits, the 275 P2 Speciale holds its own as one of the most distinctive concepts ever associated with the Prancing Horse. It serves as a vivid reminder that sometimes, the most memorable legends aren’t just born on the racetrack—but in the dreams of those bold enough to ask, “What if?” *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARI | WIKIPEDIA | CARSTYLING.RU | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | FACEBOOK | ALLCARINDEX | COACHBUILD | ROSSOAUTOMOBILI | ZH.WHEELSAGE.ORG | CLASSICDRIVERS | C-WE | CARS4STARERS ]
