The first Ferrari-branded armored personnel carrier - created 45 years ago

In the early 1980s, pressed by a series of oil crises, a number of luxury car manufacturers began to consider a possible reorientation towards more reliable and secure markets. As a result, some of them did some truly strange things, one of which still seems so abstract today. It is about the vehicle shown in the photos, which is not so unusual because of its appearance, but because of the fact that it was made by the company Ferrari piese auto online.

The first Ferrari-branded armored personnel carrier - created 45 years ago

The first prototype of this light armored personnel carrier was tested in 1980, and a trial series was made in 1983. Although they have no experience in the military sphere, the strategists from Maranello fervently hope that a number of dictators and oil kings from all over the world will show interest in their creation, if for nothing else, then at least for the brand's image.

The so-called Ferrari F333E “Lizard” is the Italian company’s only experiment in the field of armored cars, with the prototype machine painted white, but the small series produced now has a standard military color scheme. This is perhaps the only attempt in the world to create a “private” armored car based on elite sports cars.

The experiment with the “Lizard”, however, proved unsuccessful. Despite the relatively affordable price, which is several times lower than that of a new Ferrari sports car, interest in it was more than negligible. Of the 15 produced, only a few were sold, which were bought by an Arab sheikh who remained anonymous.

Despite its compact dimensions (3.3 m long, 1.7 m wide, 1.4 m high and 13 cm ground clearance), the vehicle can accommodate a three-member crew, has a small-caliber machine gun, and the bottom is equipped with anti-mine protection.

Despite its own weight of 2.5 tons and a relatively weak 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a power of 115 hp, the armored car is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 150 km/h. It also has independent suspension on all four wheels, as well as a two-wheel drive with a lock, as well as a rack and pinion steering system with servo assistance.

Unlike other Ferrari-branded products, this example's additional equipment includes a grenade launcher, flamethrowers, a wide range of small arms, and even a rocket launcher.

Car parts AutoPower
Car parts AutoPower

The first prototype of this light armored personnel carrier was tested in 1980, and a trial series was made in 1983

The so-called Ferrari F333E “Lizard” is the Italian company’s only experiment in the field of armored cars, with the prototype machine painted white, but the small series produced now has a standard military color scheme