Ron Howard’s new movie “Rush” is based on the epic battle for the 1976 Formula 1 World title. Let’s take a look at Niki Lauda’s Ferrari and James Hunt’s McLaren of 1976.
Austrian Niki Lauda was the reigning World Champion and was driving a Ferrari 312 T2 designed by Mauro Forghieri.
Briton James Hunt was in his first season for McLaren and he was behind the wheel of the Gordon Coppuck-designed McLaren M23.
Here are the technical specifications of the two cars that differed vastly.
FERRARI 312 T2
Engine
Configuration Type 015 180º V12
Location Mid, longitudinally mounted
Weight 170 kilos / 374.8 lbs
Construction light alloy block and head
Displacement 2,992cc / 182.6 cu in
Bore / Stroke 80.0 mm (3.1 in) / 49.6 mm (2 in)
Compression 11.8:1
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Camshaft Gear driven
Fuel feed Lucas Fuel Injection
Lubrication Dry sump
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Power 500 bhp / 373 KW @ 12,200 rpm
Torque 320 Nm / 236 ft lbs @ 9,700 rpm
BHP/Liter 167 bhp / liter
Chassis
Chassis aluminium / composite body on aluminium monocoque
Front suspension double wishbones, inboard spring/damper units
Rear suspension upper arm, lower wishbone, single central radius arm
Steering rack-and-pinion
Brakes Brembo discs, all-round, rear inboard
Gearbox Ferrari Type 015 5 speed manual
Drive Rear wheel drive
Weight 575 kilos / 1267.7 lbs
Performance figures
Power to weight 0.87 bhp / kg
Top Speed 290 km/h (180 mph)
McLAREN M23
Engine
Configuration Ford Cosworth DFV 90º V8
Location Mid, longitudinally mounted
Weight 168 kilos / 370.4 lbs
Construction aluminium block and head
Displacement 2.993cc / 182.6 cu in
Bore / Stroke 85.7 mm (3.4 in) / 64.8 mm (2.6 in)
Compression 11.0:1
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Camshaft Gear driven
Fuel feed Lucas Fuel Injection
Lubrication Dry sump
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Power 485 bhp / 362 KW @ 10,600 rpm
BHP/Liter 162 bhp / liter
Chassis
Chassis aluminium monocoque
Suspension (fr/r) double wishbones, coil springs over dampers
Steering rack-and-pinion
Brakes ventilated discs, all-round
Gearbox Hewland DG 400 6 speed Manual
Drive Rear wheel drive
Weight 595 kilos / 1311.8 lbs
Austrian Niki Lauda was the reigning World Champion and was driving a Ferrari 312 T2 designed by Mauro Forghieri.
Briton James Hunt was in his first season for McLaren and he was behind the wheel of the Gordon Coppuck-designed McLaren M23.
Here are the technical specifications of the two cars that differed vastly.
 |
| Ferrari 312 T2 (Photo: WRI2) |
FERRARI 312 T2
Engine
Configuration Type 015 180º V12
Location Mid, longitudinally mounted
Weight 170 kilos / 374.8 lbs
Construction light alloy block and head
Displacement 2,992cc / 182.6 cu in
Bore / Stroke 80.0 mm (3.1 in) / 49.6 mm (2 in)
Compression 11.8:1
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Camshaft Gear driven
Fuel feed Lucas Fuel Injection
Lubrication Dry sump
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Power 500 bhp / 373 KW @ 12,200 rpm
Torque 320 Nm / 236 ft lbs @ 9,700 rpm
BHP/Liter 167 bhp / liter
Chassis
Chassis aluminium / composite body on aluminium monocoque
Front suspension double wishbones, inboard spring/damper units
Rear suspension upper arm, lower wishbone, single central radius arm
Steering rack-and-pinion
Brakes Brembo discs, all-round, rear inboard
Gearbox Ferrari Type 015 5 speed manual
Drive Rear wheel drive
Weight 575 kilos / 1267.7 lbs
Performance figures
Power to weight 0.87 bhp / kg
Top Speed 290 km/h (180 mph)
 |
| Ferrari 312 T2 (Photo: WRI2) |
 |
| McLaren M23 (Photo: WRI2) |
McLAREN M23
Engine
Configuration Ford Cosworth DFV 90º V8
Location Mid, longitudinally mounted
Weight 168 kilos / 370.4 lbs
Construction aluminium block and head
Displacement 2.993cc / 182.6 cu in
Bore / Stroke 85.7 mm (3.4 in) / 64.8 mm (2.6 in)
Compression 11.0:1
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Camshaft Gear driven
Fuel feed Lucas Fuel Injection
Lubrication Dry sump
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Power 485 bhp / 362 KW @ 10,600 rpm
BHP/Liter 162 bhp / liter
Chassis
Chassis aluminium monocoque
Suspension (fr/r) double wishbones, coil springs over dampers
Steering rack-and-pinion
Brakes ventilated discs, all-round
Gearbox Hewland DG 400 6 speed Manual
Drive Rear wheel drive
Weight 595 kilos / 1311.8 lbs
 |
| McLaren M23 (Photo: WRI2) |