 | |||||||||
| Category | IndyCar | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Ferrari | ||||||||
| Designer | Gustav Brunner | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Blend of moulded aluminium and composite carbon | ||||||||
| Length | 4,420 mm (174 in) | ||||||||
| Width | 1,990 mm (78 in) | ||||||||
| Axle track | 1,708 mm (67 in) (front) 1,610 mm (63 in) (rear) | ||||||||
| Wheelbase | 2,812 mm (111 in) | ||||||||
| Engine | Ferrari 034 2.65 L (162 cu in) 90°V8 Singleturbocharger Longitudinalmid/rear | ||||||||
| Transmission | Emco six-speedsequential manual transmission | ||||||||
| Power | 690–710 hp (515–529 kW) at 11,500–12,000 rpm[1][2][3] | ||||||||
| Fuel | Methanol (Agip oil) | ||||||||
| Tyres | Goodyear | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Truesports | ||||||||
| Notable drivers |  Michele Alboreto | ||||||||
| Debut | n/a | ||||||||
| |||||||||
TheFerrari 637 is aFerrariracing car developed to run in the AmericanCART series. It was designed byGustav Brunner. Although unveiled to the press in 1986, it never raced.[4]
Unhappy with the impending engine regulations inFormula One which stipulated that the engine must be a V8 configuration,Enzo Ferrari commissioned the design of anIndy car. While he made no secret of his desire to win theIndianapolis 500, many believe that his threat to leave F1 for CART was merely a bargaining tool to make theFIA rethink their engine regulations. Ferrari approached Goodyear about the possible CART program, and Goodyear recommended theTruesports CART team for a research and development partnership.
After the 1985 CART season, Truesports and driverBobby Rahal traveled to Italy to demonstrate a March 85C-Cosworth. The car was tested by both Rahal and Ferrari driverMichele Alboreto at the Fiorano test track. Afterwards, the car was taken apart and studied by Ferrari. In 1986, Ferrari designed and built their own car, which was tested by Alboreto.
Ultimately, this car was never raced as a Ferrari, but was passed on to fellowFIAT subsidiaryAlfa Romeo, who were looking to improve their market share in the US.
For a car that was supposedly only a bargaining tool, the 637 was well engineered and carefully thought out. The upper body was made ofaluminium, mechanically bonded and glued to the lowercarbon fibre frame. TheType 034 engine is aturbocharged 32-valve, 90° 2.65-litre V8, as per CART regulations, which used upward mounted exhausts.
When Alfa Romeo unveiled their unrelated 2.65-litre IndyCar engine, it was in the back of a March chassis; however it was seen testing atFiorano Circuit in the 637 chassis.
