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{{Racing car |
  Car_name         = Ferrari 637 |
  Image            = |
  Category         = [[IndyCar]] |
  Constructor      = [[Ferrari]]|
  Designer         = [[Gustav Brunner]] |
  Team             = Truesports |
  Drivers          = {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Michele Alboreto]]|
  Chassis          = Blend of moulded aluminium and composite carbon|
  Front suspension = |
  Rear suspension  = |
  Engine name      = Ferrari 034 |
  Capacity         = 2.65 litre 90-degree |
  Configuration    = [[V8]], |
  Turbo/NA         = [[turbocharger|turbocharged]] |
  Engine position  = |
  Gearbox name     = |
  Gears            = |
  Type             = |
  Differential     = |
  Fuel             = |
  Tyres            = |
  Debut            = n/a |
  Races            = 0|
  Wins             = 0|
  Cons_champ       = |
  Drivers_champ    = |
  Poles            = 0|
  Fastest_laps     = 0|
}}

The '''Ferrari 637''' was a [[Ferrari]] [[racing car]] designed to run in the American [[CART]] series. It was designed by [[Gustav Brunner]] and, although tested and unveiled to the press in 1986, it never raced.

==Background==

Unhappy with the impending engine regulations in [[Formula One]] (which stipulated that the engine must be a V8 configuration), [[Enzo Ferrari]] commissioned the design of an [[Champ car|IndyCar]]. He made no secret of his desire to win the [[Indianapolis 500]]; however, many believe that his threat to leave F1 for CART was merely a bargaining tool to make the [[FIA]] rethink their engine regulations. Ferrari approached Goodyear about the possible CART program, and Goodyear recommended the [[Bobby Rahal|Truesports]] CART team for a research and development partnership.

After the 1985 CART season, Truesports and driver [[Bobby Rahal]] traveled to Italy to demonstrate a March 85C-Cosworth. The car was tested by both Rahal and Ferrari driver [[Michele Alboreto]] at the Fiorano test track. Afterwards, the car was taken apart and studied by Ferrari. In 1986, Ferrari designed and built their own car, which was tested by Alboreto.

Ultimately, this car was never raced as a Ferrari, but was passed on to fellow [[FIAT]] subsidiary [[Alfa Romeo]], who were looking to improve their market share in the US.

==Technical==

For a car that was supposedly only a bargaining tool, the 637 was well engineered and carefully thought out. The upper body was made of [[aluminium]], mechanically bonded and glued to the lower [[carbon]] frame. The Type 034 engine was a [[turbocharged]] 32-valve, 90-degree 2.65-litre V8, as per the CART regulations, which used upward mounted exhausts.

When Alfa Romeo unveiled their (unrelated) 2.65-litre Indycar engine, it was in the back of a March chassis; however it was seen testing at [[Fiorano Circuit]] in the 637 chassis.

==See also==
*[[Lotus 96T]]
*[[Alfa Romeo in motorsport#Indycars|Alfa Romeo's IndyCar project]]
*[[Porsche in motorsport#Single-seaters|Porsche's IndyCar activities]]

==References==
*{{cite book 
  | last = Shaffer
  | first = Rick
  | title = CART: The First 20 Years (1979-1998)
  | publisher = Hazleton Publishing
  | date = 1999
  | isbn = 1-874557-14-4
  | page = 112 }}

==External links==
*[http://atlasf1.autosport.com/99/bra/preview/faq.html Atlas F1 article (with images)]
*[http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ftng034.html Grandprix.com article]
*[http://br.geocities.com/champcarbrasil/especiais2006-8.htm Quando a Ferrari quase foi para a Champ Car]

[[Category:Ferrari vehicles|637]]
[[Category:American Championship racing cars]]