Ferrari 88/A test version

[martinpesce]

Hi all, I am looking at a conversion of the Ferrari F187/88C into the V12 test mule that they ran at the end of the season. This was basically an 88C with the new V12 engine and rear cowling similar to the later 639 and 640 (including air intake on the sides) as designed by John Barnard. The car was tested mainly by Roberto Moreno.

Unfortunately, photos are very hard to come by and so far I could find only three via the net (google: Ferrari 1988 Moreno). Is there anyone who has other photo's available from their archives or perhaps magazines such as Autosprint?

Many thanks in advance!

[Steffen_T]

I will take a look.
Do you have an idea when these tests took place?

[martinpesce]

Great, thanks! To be honest, I am not completely clear when they ran the car. I have seen pictures of the later 639 from as early as July ‘88, which could suggest the mule ran around or before that time. One of the photos I found on the net refers to winter ‘88 at Estoril as the venue where Moreno drove the mule.

[Steffen_T]

Here is what I found in the german magazins Rallye racing and Sport Auto:
Moreno was signed as a testdriver in the summer 1988.
Asked when the V12 engine would be ready for on-track testing, Berger replied: "In August"
The Ferrari 639 was presented in July.
After the final round of the season several Teams went to Jerez for testing. Ferrari arrived with 3 cars:
- the old F1 87/88C with Turbo engine,
- the new 639 driven by Berger,
- and the F1 88D driven by Moreno.
Both magazins had no on-track pictures of the F1 88D, but these pictures of the V12 in the back of the old chassis:





And here are the results from the Jerez test:

[martinpesce]

Hi Steffen, that is really appreciated, great to have the info and photos. Knowing when the test took place I had a look at a few Japanese magazines (via online preview, one of them being GP Car Story) which seem to have 1 or 2 more photos in side view.

Clearly a rare sighting but I like the somewhat bulky look, and interesting to gradually uncover a bit more info!

Thanks once more and keep you posted

[Eric1968]

I found these pictures but I guess you've already have them

[JamesB]

I reckon there's a Motor 16 (spanish magazine) set of pics that show the car in the Fiorano pits. Or wherever, but boxes. BTW it's the only time I've seen an F1-87/88 chassis with fully naked roll hoop. Till that moment I thought it was built in with the headrest/top of tub

[martinpesce]

Thanks again all for helping track a car that apparently ran only very few times. My last hope at scoring some references would be Autosprint, thanks to Steffen’s sources I believe this should be covered by Autosprint #49 from 1988.

Does anyone who has this magazine in their archive have a chance to check and confirm? I would be fine buying the issue from ebay if worth the effort. Thanks again!

[roly01]

https://i.postimg.cc/tgnT0RCv/Fe-Id0vc-WIAAFwp-O.jpg

[martinpesce]

Amazing, that is one of the shots I was hoping to find! Thanks a lot Roly!