STORY OF THE DAY: Swiss Precision Wins the GT Category

Rico Steinemann and Dieter Spoerry finished eleventh overall and first among GT cars in Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione number 28 at the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans. Their Scuderia Filipinetti entry completed Ferrari’s principal consolation on a weekend won outright by Ford.

The Swiss crew’s achievement rested on disciplined reliability rather than prototype pace. While more powerful cars failed, number 28 continued through the night and secured the grand-touring victory. Its class success demonstrated that Ferrari’s front-engined berlinetta remained a serious endurance machine in the mid-engined era.

The competition 275 GTB featured a 3.3-litre Colombo V12, rear-mounted transaxle and independent rear suspension. Lightweight alloy bodywork and carefully developed long-nose aerodynamics reduced mass and improved high-speed stability, making the car particularly appropriate for Le Mans and its prolonged full-throttle sections.

Steinemann and Spoerry were Swiss racers with strong Scuderia Filipinetti connections. Steinemann later became Porsche’s racing manager and an influential motoring journalist; Spoerry was a successful sportsman and industrialist. Their methodical partnership delivered the most important GT result of their shared Ferrari campaign.