Competizione Ventidue

London-based automotive design agency, Forge Design, present the ‘Competizione Ventidue’: a car inspired by technical excellence and analogue human creativity, that celebrates the juncture of art and engineering.

The Ventidue (‘22’ in Italian), draws its heritage from the year 1959, when its spiritual ancestor the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB was revealed at the Paris Motor Show in October. It’s launch came midway between two seminal events in art and music: the release of Miles Davis’ ground breaking album, ‘Kind of Blue’ a month before, and the opening of the Solomon R. Guggenheim museum in New York a few weeks later; a standout piece of 20th century architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as a “temple of the spirit.“ 

Cars like the 250 SWB represent an era of human craftmanship. Where forms were simpler and the analogue hands of the designer and toolmaker could clearly be intuited from body shapes. 

“That kind of design speaks to people in a way many cars don’t any more” says Kieran Singleton, Forge Design’s Managing Director. “Modern cars benefit from CAD software, machine presses and robot manufacturing; car bodies can support far more shape and technicality, but in the process they often lose the emotional connection to analogue craft and any connection to the maker.”  

In 1961 Ferrari evolved the ‘SEFAC Hot Rod’, a technically optimised and highly engineered variant of the racing 250 SWB. The ‘Comp 61’, as it became known, featured a lighter chassis, incredibly thin (1.1mm) Aluminium bodywork and engine modifications including larger engine intake tracts and high lift camshafts with a magnesium sump and timing case castings. The car could achieve just shy of 300 bhp and was almost unbeatable in its class; winning at Le Mans in 1961 and also claiming the RAC Tourist Trophy of the same year.

The Ventidue is based on the car that an ascendent Miles Davis might have bought, driven with wild abandon and spared no expense upgrading to match racing specifications in 1961. Now that another 61 years have passed, the ‘Comp Ventidue’ benefits from the latest technological innovations. 

Representing human creativity, analogue craft and true creative spirit; but rendered with precision, and driven by the latest in modern technology. 

“We wanted to re-imagine the car that Miles Davis might have bought just after his album dropped. This is the car he might have enjoyed, upgraded, even raced.” 

- Forge Design

“I drive a Ferrari – not to be cute, but because I dig it” 

- Miles Davis

Background

With its name reflecting the current year ‘22’, to capture the symmetry of 61 years since the launch of the original Comp/61, Forge Design has reimagined this historic car to explore the interplay of craftsmanship and engineering with new materials and technologies. Wanting to make a statement on minimalism with performance in mind, all features have been chosen for simplicity and minimal weight. Drawing inspiration from period Ferrari vehicles, the exterior has been carefully modified and updated with contemporary technology; but always upholding the original intention and ethos of the car.

Features

Based on the Testa Rossa, the original SEFAC Hot Rods exclusively received the Tipo 168B/61 engine with Testa Rossa cylinder heads, high lift camshafts, larger intake tracts and two-piece larger diameter exhaust headers. The Comp Ventidue has been envisaged with a similar engine layout, modified to hydrogen injection to eliminate carbon emissions at the tailpipe.

Engine

Following the above ethos the Ventidue is powered by a modified V12 engine targeted to weigh less than 165 kg and utilising indirect hydrogen injection.

Chassis

The SEFAC Hot Rod Tipo 539/61 chassis was similar to the regular SWB unit, but featured revised rear suspension pickup points. Furthermore, it had smaller diameter tubing and extra bracing points for rigidity. In keeping with this strategy the Ventidue incorporates an aluminium and carbon fibre chassis and fully independent suspension to deliver modern standards of performance and handling.

Wheels

The Comp Ventidue runs on larger Ferrari Campagnolo Style magnesium wheels, with centre lock and AP Racing brakes for reliable deceleration.

Body

The original SEFAC racing body was made from unusually thin 1.1mm aluminum, reinterpreted for the Ventidue using composite materials. As the most evolved version of the SWB, this body features wider wheel arches and is void of front and rear fender vents - drawing inspiration from 250 GT SWB prototype bodies and the rare 250 GT SWB Competizione Berlinetta Scaglietti. 

Glazing

As the original SEFAC Hot Rods the Ventidue feature a polycarbonate rear window, with a single cabin vent that now integrates the central high mounted stop light.

Lamps

Using modern lighting technology all headlight functions are combined in a single unit. This liberates the grill opening from additional lights and delivers a cleaner aesthetic to the front of the car.

Details

Other notable exterior features are the single driver side rear view mirror, performance door handles and leather straps to secure closures; all in an effort to save weight. 

Compventidue