Following the 1973 racing season, Scuderia Ferrari abandoned sports car racing entirely to focus on its Formula 1 program, which had not won a World Constructors’ Championship since 1964. As a result, the only Ferrari racing cars built for the next two decades were Grand Prix machines or production-based GT sports cars. It was not until the early 1990s, perhaps because of the urging of Giampiero Moretti, that Ferrari looked to the new IMSA prototype regulations in the US for the basis of a new sports racing car.

This decision proved to be a significant turning point for the Ferrari racing department, which had not constructed a purpose-built sports racing prototype since the iconic 312 PB, a model developed in the early 1970s. Unveiled in late 1993, the 333 SP set new standards for sports-racing prototypes and heralded Ferrari’s return to the highest levels of international sports car racing after two decades.

Developed in partnership with Dallara, the 333 SP was a state-of-the-art design that featured a rigid carbon fiber monocoque, F1-style suspension, a sequential gearbox, and a four-cam, four-liter V-12 engine derived from the Ferrari 641 Formula 1 cars. It was, in effect, a Grand Prix car of the period cloaked in fully enveloping composite bodywork.

During eight seasons of active racing, the 333 SPs were campaigned by a select group of private teams, and the program proved to be a runaway success. The 333 SPs claimed 56 outright wins, 69 poles, and multiple Team, Constructors’, and Drivers’ Championships in both the American IMSA GT and the European ISRS and SRWC series. Along the way, the 333 SPs set the fastest lap at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans and captured wins at both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

The 333 SP presented here, chassis 025, is among the very best examples from this important series of Ferrari prototype racing cars.

According to the research of Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, 025 was constructed by Michelotto in late 1998 and originally finished in red. In 1999, the new 333 SP was sold to Doran-Lista Racing based in Erlen, Switzerland, a partnership headed by Swiss enthusiast and driver Fredy Lienhard. Lienhard was the owner of Lista AG, a leading manufacturer of industrial and workshop cabinetry. The brand would feature prominently on Doran Racing’s cars throughout the era, and become a recognizable racing livery for even the most casual enthusiast. Lienhard’s partner Kevin Doran was an endurance racing stalwart who had risen to prominence as a successful technician and team manager.

Chassis 025 was Lienhard’s third 333 SP, as he also owned chassis 012 and 016, and it was purchased to run in the US for the 1999 season. In its debut race, Lienhard, Didier Theys, Mauro Baldi, and Arie Luyendyk drove 025 to a respectable 8th overall at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 1999. Its next outing was at the 12 Hours of Sebring, where Theys, Baldi, and Lienhard experienced a DNF due to gearbox failure. In May 1999, chassis 025 would get its first victory, with Theys and Lienhard driving from 3rd on the grid to a win at Lime Rock. The Ferrari would run in six additional races that year, with a best finishing position of 8th overall at both Mosport and Road Atlanta.

In 2000, IMSA adopted international FIA/ACO regulations, and the four-liter V-12 was forced to run an air restrictor to limit engine output. Chassis 025 raced in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January using the Ferrari engine, but after leading the race briefly, suffered retirement due to an engine fire. The decision was then made by Kevin Doran to install a four-liter Judd V-10 in the car, which was deemed to be a more competitive option.

Debuting at Sebring in March 2000, the 333 SP would go on to finish 5th overall in the classic 12-hour event. Primarily driven by Lienhard and Theys in its 10 remaining outings in its final year of competition, 025 would finish on the podium six times, including overall wins at Homestead in Miami and Road America.

Following the 2000 season, none other than Kevin Doran performed a restoration of chassis 025 to contemporary ALMS specifications, which included sending the car’s Ferrari V-12 engine to Michelotto for a rebuild before expertly refitting it to the car. Chassis 025 was then sold to Dennis Black, who would keep the Ferrari until 2004 when it was sold to William “Bill” M. Wonder via Symbolic International in a transaction that included the sale of Mr. Wonder’s GT40 Mk I (GT-103), which he had owned since purchasing it directly from Ford in 1966.

Bill Wonder was known for his devotion to the most exotic and important sports racing cars from all eras. His incredible stable included everything from a Bugatti Grand Prix car to an Eagle Indy Car and a Creation LMP1. The 333 SP fit in this group incredibly well, providing a replacement for the GT40, as well as a showpiece of European descent.

While the importance and collectibility of this car was certainly not lost on Mr. Wonder, he gained more enjoyment from the Ferrari as not only one of Ferrari’s greatest sports racing cars – and incredibly successful racing car at that – but also as a technological tour de force. As his son James remembers, “My Dad saw the 333 SP race and would tell me ‘Someday, I would really like to have one of those.’ He always used to tell us, if you see something that you like, just buy it!”

During Mr. Wonder’s 18 years of careful stewardship of chassis 025, the wiring harness, computers, and dashboard were sent to Michelotto for refurbishment by the experts that built them originally. Approximately eight years ago, the 333 SP was driven at two private track days – one at Virginia International Raceway, and one at Watkins Glen. While not raced or exhibited since, the 333 SP has been carefully maintained with each startup of its V-12 engine preceded by warming the fluids to provide proper internal engine clearances.

Now available for the first time in almost two decades, this seminal Ferrari sports racing prototype is among the finest examples extant, and is offered with a variety of spares, including a nose, wheels and tires, wheel socket, two air boxes (one with and one without a restrictor), gear sets, dog rings, and a used set of half-shafts.

One of approximately 40 Ferrari 333 SPs built in total, this opportunity is significant for both the collector and racing enthusiast who appreciates the significance of the marque and model. One could hardly imagine a more exciting car for private track days or to compete in the multitude of exciting vintage racing events for which it is eligible, including the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona and Le Mans Classic.

It goes without saying that as Ferrari’s last sports racing prototype, the 333 SP is easily among the most significant racing machines of the 20th century, with examples gracing some of the world’s premier private collections. With their rarity, beauty, incredible record of success, and unique normally aspirated V-12 specification, they assault the senses with qualities inherent only to the world’s greatest competition cars. Among the finest of this rare breed, with a known provenance and history, chassis 025 is a true prize for forward-thinking collectors.

*Please note that this vehicle is sold on a Bill of Sale.