Iconic Ferrari Prototype Featured at Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Enzo Ferrari Exhibition

In a tribute to Ferrari’s innovative engineering and striking design, the Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs, NY, is currently hosting a remarkable exhibit titled ‘Enzo Ferrari: An Obsession with Speed’. Among the stars of this exhibit is a rare Ferrari prototype, the Tre Posti, designed by the legendary Aldo Brovarone for Pininfarina. This prototype, first introduced at the 1966 Paris Motor Show, is notable for its unique central driving position and advanced design features.

The Tre Posti stands out not only for its aesthetic and engineering prowess but also for its historical significance in the evolution of Ferrari’s design philosophy. The car features a 365/P2 racing chassis and is powered by a Colombo-designed 4.39-liter V-12 engine, capable of producing 375 horsepower and reaching speeds in excess of 150 mph. This engine is equipped with a dry-sump lubrication system to ensure consistent oil flow under all driving conditions, emphasizing its race-derived technology.

This exhibition connects the Tre Posti to other significant models such as the Dino and the Daytona, illustrating the lineage and impact of Ferrari’s mid-rear engine layout, which was a novel concept at the time. The vehicle’s design not only tested the waters for consumer acceptance of powerful mid-rear engine road cars but also paved the way for future classics like the 365 GT/4 Berlinetta Boxer and the 512 Testarossa. After touring globally, the Tre Posti found a temporary home at the Saratoga Automobile Museum in 2009 and has been part of the Chinetti family collection until 2014. Now, on loan from the RQ Collection, this prototype continues to draw admiration for its visionary approach to automotive design, reminding visitors of the era when prototypes like the Tre Posti were eagerly anticipated as harbingers of futuristic models and technology.