The first ever Ferrari 360 Modena GT

Based on a 360 Challenge, the 360 N-GT 000M chassis 119073 is the very first Ferrari Modena race car adapted to GT regulations.

Approved by Jean Todt, this Ferrari 360 N-GT 000M is a historically important car as it was the very first Ferrari to mark Ferrari's return to GT racing, paving the way for a series of victorious Ferraris in GT2, GTE and GT3.

For three seasons, from 2000 to 2002, this 360 N-GT pioneered the line of modern V8 Ferraris in endurance racing and was entered in FIA GT by JMB Compétition / JMB Racing, before enjoying an American career and even taking part in the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours pre-season. In 2005 it was again entered in FIA GT (GT2) by the Italian team GPC Sport. Ascott Collection is proud to offer for sale the first Ferrari of the modern era to compete in endurance racing.

The emergence of the N-GT revived competition between Ferrari and Porsche and marked the return of the Prancing Horse marque to the GT category

At the end of the 1990s, with the GT1 category taking centre stage, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) decided to create a second category dedicated to Grand Touring, the N-GT (for National GT). In contrast to GT1, which had become prototypes in disguise and whose budgets were borne directly by the manufacturers, the idea here was to get much closer to the GT philosophy in the noblest sense, allowing manufacturers to run their most sporting road cars without committing themselves to extreme engine or aerodynamic development. The idea is also to offer a more accessible formula, aimed at the gentleman's and customer's competition that came back into favour in the 90s.

Article 257 of Appendix J of the International Sporting Code defines the N-GT Grand Touring Car as having "not more than one door on each side", "at least two seats on each side" and "a production engine of not more than 8.0 litres". There aren't many restrictions. 

A stroke of luck that immediately appealed to Porsche... and Ferrari. While the German manufacturer - logically - opted for a 911 that complied with these regulations (the 911 GT3, the first in the series of modern R, RS and RSR cars), Ferrari opted for the brand new 360 Modena, freshly presented in 1999. In fact, it was Jean-Michel Bourresche, a Ferrari customer through his JMB Racing team, who had the idea of converting the 360 Challenge into an N-GT version. He won the approval of Luca di Montezemolo and Jean Todt. "If you win the title in 2001, we'll find solutions for the future. If not, we'll stop", Jean Todt promised Jean-Michel Bourresche at the beginning of 2000. 

The good performances of JMB, which won the 2001 championship, convinced Ferrari, and it was the success of the 360 Modena N-GT 000M, 001M and 002M (the first 3 chassis assembled) in 2000/2001 that launched Ferrari's modern history in endurance racing, continued today by the 296 GT3.

Numerous modifications were made to the 360 Challenge to develop the 360 N-GT.

The 360 N-GT used a 360 Challenge chassis modified by Michelotto, with a V8 producing 430 bhp (321 kW) at 8,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 378 Nm at 5,000 rpm. Michelotto boosted the 360's 3.6-litre V8 to 445bhp, even with the required 30.8mm air restrictors. Maximum power - without the air restrictors - would have been 540bhp.

On the original 360 Modena, an all-new aluminium chassis, developed in partnership with Alcoa, reduced weight by 10% and increased structural rigidity by almost 50%. This new rigidity greatly improved the handling of the mid-engined Ferrari, providing the perfect basis for the development of a race car.

Aesthetically, the N-GT version is a perfect match for the flowing lines of the Modena, with thinner carbon fibre body panels and polycarbonate windows and windscreen. With wider fenders and front and rear spoilers, the 360 N-GT is muscular but weighs around 90kg less than a 360 Challenge.

With homologation number N-GT 001, the 360 Modena was the first N-GT to pass FIA scrutineering on 1 March 2000. It was followed by seven other models, including the 360 GTC in 2004, an evolution of the N-GT. 

A trial run in 2000

The 000M made its debut at the third round of the 2000 FIA GT at Monza. In the N-GT, the Porsche 911 GT3-Rs, two of which had already competed in the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours, were the benchmark cars. They took the first six places. In 9th place, 000M - with Italian drivers Marco Lambertini and Batti Pregliasco at the wheel - is building up its experience. At Silverstone, the Porsches are still untouchable. At Zolder or Magny-Cours, they're impossible to beat.

A successful 2001 season. JMB Competition wins the FIA GT Championship

For 2001, the ambition was clear: to wear the Ferrari colours as a concrete opposition to the hegemony of Porsche. The JMB team pulled out all the stops, taking part in all the races, in contrast to the reduced programme in 2000. And the victories came. 

As early as the French round at Magny-Cours (3rd round of the year), Christian Pescatori and David Terrien took victory in the 360 Modena 002M (ZFFYR51B000118775). They only stopped once to refuel, compared to two stops for the Porsches. Low fuel consumption is a decisive advantage. A stroke of luck? Not really! At Silverstone, at the Hungaroring, then at the A1-Ring and finally at Jarama, this 360 Modena was on the top step of the podium. With 5 wins and one podium finish, the duo were crowned N-GT Cup champions. JMB Competition took the team title. The 360 Modena was born!

000M had a more complicated season, with a crash at Monza, gearbox problems at Magny-Cours and a fire at the Nürburgring. Nevertheless, Andrea Garbagnati and Batti Pregliasco finished 5th in class at Silverstone, their best result of the season. 

In 2002, JMB Complétion finished second in the FIA GT Championship

In 2002, the resources deployed were even greater: JMB Racing / JMB Compétition entered 4 Modena N-GT cars! 000M wore the number 52 throughout the season, driven by Pietro Gianni, Gianluca Giraudi, Tony Ring, Jean-Philippe Belloc, Ludovico Manfredi, Batti Pregliasco, Andrea Garbagnati and Iradj Alexander. The season got off to a good start for the Ferraris with 2 wins for JMB Racing (with the #50 360 N-GT, chassis 007M, driven by Christian Pescatori and Andrea Montermini), but the growing strength of the Freisinger Motorsport Porsche team was hard to counter. Stéphane Ortelli, Emmanuel Collard, Romain Dumas, Marc Lieb and Sascha Maassen are all on the rise on the German side!

In 2003, 000M took part in the major endurance races: Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans

In 2003, 000M's career took a new turn in the United States! JMB switched to the GT category with a Ferrari 550 Maranello, and several partners put pressure on the team to win at a higher level, but in the end it didn't happen. For 000M, the story continued on the other side of the Atlantic. The car competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona (retired) and then the 12 Hours of Sebring (27th). The car was also seen in practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it finished 43rd. However, it was not the car that would compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the number 70. Sold to the G.P.C. Sport team, 000M was entered in 2005 in the FIA GT class, but now in the GT2 category.

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Now eligible for the most prestigious historic races and highly collectible

000M is offered for sale with an engine that has just been overhauled, offering its next owner maximum hours in terms of engine potential. Having received upgrades such as the Hewland sequential gearbox, it is a highly competitive 360 N-GT that Ascott Collection is proud to offer for sale. 000M is also a unique car from a historical point of view, as it was at the origin of Ferrari's return to GT racing. It therefore deserves to become part of a Ferrari collection or to be entered in the most prestigious races for which it is highly eligible.

Photos crédit Le Mans 2003: John Brooks

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