STORY OF THE DAY: A Ferrari Prototype Perseveres to Seventh

Pedro Rodríguez and Nino Vaccarella finished seventh overall at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans in number 18. Historical records identify the car as a Ferrari 365 P2 rather than the “265 P2” stated in the title; it was the highest-finishing large factory-style Ferrari prototype.

While newer works entries retired, Rodríguez and Vaccarella kept their car circulating to the finish. Seventh did not match Ferrari’s ambitions, but completing the race preserved an important result on a weekend when the marque’s eventual victory came unexpectedly from the smaller, privately entered 250 LM.

The 365 P2 was a mid-engined prototype powered by a large 4.4-litre V12 and clothed in open sports-racing bodywork. Its displacement promised strong acceleration and Mulsanne speed, but fuel consumption and mechanical stress made endurance management especially important over 24 hours.

Rodríguez was a Mexican driver renowned for speed in difficult conditions and a close association with Luigi Chinetti’s NART. Vaccarella was a Sicilian endurance specialist and reigning Le Mans winner. Together they combined aggression, experience and the mechanical awareness needed to bring the powerful car home.