Ferrari 250

Ferrari 250
coupé
Layout	Longitudinally-mounted, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L (2953.21 cc) Colombo V12 3.0 L (2963.45 cc) Lampredi V12 (Europa)
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in) (SWB) 2,600 mm (102.4 in) (LWB) 2,800 mm (110.2 in) (Europa)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ferrari 212 Inter/Ferrari 225 S
Successor	Ferrari 275/Ferrari 330

The Ferrari 250 is a series of sports cars and grand tourers built by Ferrari from 1952 to 1964. The company's most successful early line, the 250 series includes many variants designed for road use or sports car racing. 250 series cars are characterized by their use of a 3.0 L (2,953 cc) Colombo V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo. They were replaced by the 275 and 330 series cars.

Similarities

Most 250 road cars share the same two wheelbases, 2,400 mm (94.5 in) for short wheelbase (SWB) and 2,600 mm (102.4 in) for long wheelbase (LWB). Most convertibles used the SWB type.

Nearly all 250s share the same

Ferrari uses the displacement of a single cylinder as the model designation.

The V12 propelled the Ferrari 250 racing cars to numerous victories.

Racing models

Typical of Ferrari, the Colombo V12 made its debut on the race track, with the racing 250s preceding the street cars by three years.

250 S

The first 250 was the experimental 250 S berlinetta prototype entered in the 1952 Mille Miglia for Giovanni Bracco and Alfonso Rolfo. The Mercedes-Benz W194 racers of Rudolf Caracciola, Hermann Lang, and Karl Kling were faster on the long straights but the 230 PS (169 kW; 227 hp) Ferrari made up sufficient ground in the hills and curves to win the race.^[2] The car was later entered at Le Mans and in the Carrera Panamericana.

The 250 S used a 2,250 mm (88.6 in) wheelbase with a "Tuboscocca" tubular trellis frame. Suspension was by double wishbones at the front, with double longitudinal semi-elliptic springs locating the live axle at the rear. The car had the drum brakes and worm-and-sector steering typical of the period. The dry-sump 3.0 L (2,953 cc (180 cu in)) engine used three

36DCF carburettors and was mated directly to a five-speed manual transmission.

250 MM

Following the success of the 250 S in the Mille Miglia, Ferrari showed a more conventional chassis for the new 250 engine at the 1952

version was also an innovative design whose recessed headlights and side vents became a Ferrari staple for the 1950s. 0334MM was the sole chassis with Vignale Berlinetta body, distinctive for its triple portholes on the bottom of front fenders, not on top.

The 250 MM's wheelbase was longer than the 250 S at 2,400 mm (94.5 in),[3] with the coupé 50 kg (110 lb) heavier than the 850 kg (1,874 lb) barchetta. The V12 engine's dry sump was omitted from the production car, and the transmission was reduced by one gear. Power was increased to 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp). The four-cylinder 625 TF and 735 S replaced the V12-powered 250 MM later in 1953.

The 250 MM's race debut was at the 1953 Giro di Sicilia with privateer Paolo Marzotto. A Carrozzeria Morelli-bodied 250 MM barchetta driven by Clemente Biondetti came fourth in the 1954 Mille Miglia.

250 Monza

Main article: Ferrari 250 Monza

The 1954 250 Monza was an unusual hybrid of the light four-cylinder 500 Mondial and the 250 line. The model used the 250 MM engine in the short-wheelbase chassis from the 500 Mondial. The first three used the Pinin Farina barchetta shape of the 750 Monza and 500 Mondial. One more 250 Monza was built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti, an early use of the now-familiar coachbuilder. The 250 Monzas failed to gain much success and the union of the Monza chassis and 250 engine was not pursued for some time.^[4]

250 Testa Rossa

Main article: Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

The racing 250 Testa Rossa was one of the most successful Ferrari racing cars in its history, with three wins at Le Mans, four wins at Sebring, and two wins at Buenos Aires. One example sold at auction for a (then) record-breaking $16.39 million.

250 GTO

Main article: Ferrari 250 GTO

The 250 GTO was produced from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. GTO stands for "Gran Turismo Omologato", Italian for "Homologated Grand Tourer". When new, the GTO sold for $18,500 in the United States, and buyers had to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and his dealer for North America, Luigi Chinetti.

In May 2012, the 1963

for US$38,115,000.

In October 2013, the 1963

million

.

In August 2018, the 1962

Thirty-three cars were made in 1962 and 1963. In 1964 the Series II was introduced, which had a different body. Three such cars were made, and four older Series I cars were given a Series II body. It brought the total number of GTOs produced to 36.

In 2004, Sports Car International placed the 250 GTO eighth on a list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, and nominated it the top sports car of all time. Motor Trend Classic placed it first on a list of the "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

250 P

The 250 P was a prototype racer produced in 1963, winning that year's

. The 250 P used an engine derived from the 250 Testa Rossa, mounted in a rear mid-engine, rear wheel drive configuration.

250 LM

The mid-engined 250 Le Mans looked very much the prototype racer but was intended for production as a road-going GT. Descended from the 250 P, the Le Mans also appeared in 1963 and sported Pininfarina bodywork. Ferrari was unable to persuade the FIA that he would build the 100 examples required to homologate the car for GT racing. Eventually, 32 LMs were built

.

Only the very early LM's were true 250 models. All the others were made as 3.3-litre models, and as such should have been named 275 LM. The early cars were converted to the 3.3-litre engine.

GT cars

The 250 design was successful both on the road and on the track. A number of GT models were built in varying states of road or racing trim.

250 Europa

The 250 Europa, introduced at the 1953 Paris Motor Show, was the only one of the family to use a different engine, sporting the 2963 cc Lampredi V12 based on a design for Formula One 3.3 L engine. It was a square engine, with 68 mm (2.7 in) of bore and stroke, developing 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 6,300 rpm, with three Weber 36DCF (or DCZ) carburettors, and mated to a 4-speed transmission. With the long 2,800 mm (110.2 in) wheelbase and

250 Europa GT

The first road car to use Colombo's 250 V12 was the 250 Europa GT, introduced at the 1954 Paris Motor Show. It was also the first Ferrari to use the Gran Turismo moniker. Pinin Farina's sober Paris coupé was just one of many shapes for the 250 GT model line, with coachbuilt production extending through 1956 before the 250 line became more standardized. The original 250 Europa GT used a 2,600 mm (102.4 in) wheelbase on a conventional chassis, with 600-16 Stella Bianca tyres. The wet sump V12 was tuned to 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp), with three

Chassis Nr. 0373 finished third at the

Liège-Rome-Liège

rally in 1956

250 GT Coupé Boano and Ellena

Pinin Farina introduced a 250-based prototype coupé at the

which came to be called the 250 GT Boano. Intended as a styling exercise and inspiration to 250 GT Europa customers, the car generated demand that soon called for a production series.

Unable to meet the demand without expansion, Pinin Farina asked

later recruited Boano, he handed production duties to his son-in-law Ezio Ellena. With partner Luciano Pollo, Carrozzeria Ellena would produce the 250 GT for another few years. Ellena revised the car, raising the roof and removing the vent windows from the doors. These examples became known as the 250 GT Ellena.

Carrozzeria Boano built 74 250 GTs on the long-wheelbase chassis. Carrozzeria Ellena built another 50 Coupés.

All but one were coupés. The single convertible, 0461 GT, was sold to New York collector Bob Lee off the stand at the 1956 New York Auto Show. At the direction of Enzo Ferrari, Lee bought the car for $9,500, far below cost. He still owns it, making it one of the oldest Ferraris still in the hands of the original purchaser.

250 GT Pinin Farina Coupé Speciale

Four examples of the 250 GT Coupé Speciale were made, on the type 513 chassis. (Although chassis numbers were in the middle of the Boano 250 GT Coupé run they did not share the same chassis type.). They had Series I 410 Superamerica-style bodies and type 128, 3.0 V12 engines.

250 GT Berlinetta "Tour de France"

Ecurie Francorchamps colours, at the 1997 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The original 250 GT Berlinetta, nicknamed the "Long Wheelbase Berlinetta", was also called the "Tour de France" after competing in the 10-day

175R400 tyres (CA67) were standard.

At the

1956 Geneva Motor Show

, Scaglietti displayed their own 250 GT prototype, which became known as the limited-production, Series I, "no-louvre" 250 GT Berlinetta. The first customer car was built in May 1956, with production now the responsibility of Scaglietti in Modena. Fourteen "no-louvre" and nine "14-louvre" Series I and II Berlinettas were made.

There were four series of 250 GT Berlinettas. In mid-1957 the Series III cars were introduced, with three louvres and covered headlights. Eighteen were produced. The 36 Series IV cars; retained the covered headlights and had a single vent louvre. Zagato also made five "no-louvre" superlight cars to Ugo Zagato's design.[14]

A 250 GT Berlinetta won Tour de France Automobile three times in 1956, 1957 and 1958. Ferrari's winning streak in this race would be continued with later 'Interim' and SWB Berlinettas.

250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina Series I

Released at the

tyres (CA67).

About 36 examples were produced before a second series was shown at Paris in 1959. These later cars had more in common with the production Berlinetta.

About 200 of the Series II cars were built.

Motor Trend Classic placed the 250 GT Series I Cabriolet and Coupé ninth on their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

250 GT California Spyder LWB

Designed for export to North America, the 1957

185VR16 tyres (CA67) were standard.

A total of fifty LWBs were made before the SWB version superseded them in 1960. One example sold at auction on August 18, 2007, in Monterey, California, for $4.9 million.

250 GT Coupé Pinin Farina

Needing series production to stabilize his company's finances, Enzo Ferrari asked

tail and was shown at the 1961 London Motor Show.

250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina Series II

In line with the high-volume coupé, Pinin Farina also designed a plainer 250 GT Cabriolet for series production. Introduced at the 1959 Paris Motor Show, the GT Cabriolet sported a look similar to the GT Coupé of the previous year, including the removal of the side vents. 185VR15 Pirelli Cinturato tyres (CA67) were standard. On the Coupé the headlights were uncovered. About 212 were produced.

250 GT Berlinetta "Interim"

In 1959, seven 250 GT "Interim" LWB Berlinettas were made. They utilized the old long-wheelbase chassis and had the new Pinin Farina bodywork of the upcoming SWB Berlinettas. The bodies are all-aluminium. Interim vehicles have an additional rear quarter window, absent from the succeeding "Passo Corto" Berlinettas. The Interim vehicles are serial numbers 1377GT, 1461GT, 1465GT, 1509GT, 1519GT, 1521GT and 1523GT. 'Interim' Berlinetta won 1959 Tour de France Automobile, thus continuing Ferrari's dominance.

250 GT Berlinetta SWB

One of the most notable GT racers of its time, the 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB used a short (2,400 mm (94.5 in)) wheelbase for better handling. Of the 176 examples built, both steel and aluminium bodies were used in various road ("lusso") and racing trims. Engine output ranged from 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) to 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp). The "lusso" road car version was originally fitted with 185VR15 Pirelli Cinturato (CA67).

Development of the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta was handled by Giotto Bizzarrini, Carlo Chiti, and young Mauro Forghieri, the same team that later produced the 250 GTO. Disc brakes were a first on a Ferrari GT, and the combination of low weight, high power, and well-sorted suspension made it competitive. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October and quickly began selling and racing. The SWB Berlinetta won Ferrari the GT class of the 1961 Constructor's Championship. Also won 1960, 1961 and 1962 Tour de France Automobile before giving ground to the GTO's.

In 2004,

placed it fifth on a list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

250 GT California Spyder SWB

Main article: Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder

In 1959, Ferrari gave the 250 GT Berlinetta sharper handling, reducing its wheelbase from 2,600 mm to 2,400 mm. In 1960, Scaglietti unveiled the 250 GT California Spyder SWB at the

Geneva Motor Show, its body pulled more tautly over this updated chassis. Like the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB on which it was based, the revised Spyder also received disc brakes and a 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) version of the three-litre V12. It was fitted with 185VR15 Pirelli Cinturato

tyres (CA67). About 55 were built.

The switch to the 2400mm chassis of the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB lowered the body by 30 mm, but an easier way to tell the "passo lungo" (LWB) version from the "passo corto" (SWB) version of the California Spyder is to look at the hood scoop and the vents on sides of the front fenders. The hood scoop is much lower on the SWB version.[17]

A custom-built fiberglass-bodied replica of a 1961–1963 250 GT California Spyder, was featured in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Three 1985 Modena Spyders (two running and one shell for destruction) were built on custom frames for the film by Modena Design & Development.^[18] One of the running models was sold back to Modena for restoration and in April 2018 became the 22nd vehicle added to the National Historic Vehicle Register.^[19]

A 1961 SWB that had been owned by James Coburn was sold for £5.5 million to radio DJ Chris Evans.^[20][21][22]

A

On March 11, 2016, at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, a 1961 SWB sold for US$17.16 million at auction.^[24]

250 GT/E

The LWB 250 GT theme was expanded with the 2+2 model 250 GT/E, the first large-production four-seat Ferrari (earlier four-seaters were made in very small numbers). Interior space was increased by moving the engine forward in the chassis. The rear seats were suitable for children but small for adults. Pirelli Cinturato 185VR15 tyres (CA67) were original equipment. The standard wheels used on series 1 were the Borrani RW3591 and the series 2 & 3 were fitted with the Borrani RW3690 as a standard.^[25]

Engine output was listed at 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp).

Almost 1,000 GT/Es were constructed by Pininfarina with prototypes starting in 1959 and continuing through three series until 1963. The model was followed by the visually similar 330 America, which shared the 250 GT/E's chassis but used the larger 4.0 L engine of the 330 series.

The large production run of the GT/E was a major contributor to Ferrari's financial well-being in the early 1960s. MSRP of the GT/E was $11,500.

A 250 GT/E can be seen in The Wrong Arm of the Law, a film starring Peter Sellers.

250 GT Berlinetta Lusso

Pininfarina updated the 250 GT with the GT Lusso or GTL. Introduced at the 1962 Paris show, the car had flowing lines and a

tyres (CA67) were standard.

Built by Scaglietti, the Lusso continued through 1964 with few modifications.

Rock star Eric Clapton owned one, and an example that had been owned by Steve McQueen sold at auction for $2.3 million on 16 August 2007.^[26]

In 2004,

owned chassis number #4237, which was stolen from a repair shop in Queens, New York and never found.

Place in Lamborghini history

Tractor manufacturer Ferruccio Lamborghini owned several Ferrari 250s. His frustration with Enzo Ferrari's response to his complaints about frequent clutch problems was key to his decision to make his own cars.^[27] He later hired ex-Ferrari engineers to design and develop them.^[28]

See also

• Ferrari 250 GT Drogo - the "Breadvan", a 250 SWB modified by Giotto Bizzarrini and Piero Drogo for Giovanni Volpi.

References

1. ^ "Dave Williams' Engine Weight Chart". Archived from the original on November 13, 2004. Retrieved July 25, 2006.
2. ^ "Mille Miglia 1952 Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
3. ^ "Ferrari 250 MM". ferrari.com. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
4. ^ "1954 Ferrari 250 Monza". supercars.net. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
5. ^ "1962 Ferrari 250 GTO VIN 3413". CLASSIC.COM.
6. ^ "Ferrari 250 LM". UltimateCarPage.com. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
7. ^
   OCLC 7896863
   .
8. ^ "Ferrari 250 Europa". ferrari.com. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
9. ^ "250 Europa - Register". www.barchetta.cc. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
10. ^ "375 America Pinin Farina Coupe s/n 0315EU". www.barchetta.cc. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
11. ^ "375 America Vignale Cabriolet s/n 0353EU". www.barchetta.cc. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
12. ^ "Ferrari 250 GT Coupé". ferrari.com. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
13. ^ Ahlgrim, Steve (November 2012). "1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB TdF". Sports Car Market. 24 (11): 34–35.
14. ^ "1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB 'Tour de France' Berlinetta". RM Auctions. Archived from the original on 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
15. ^ "Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
16. ^ "1958 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder Scaglietti". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
17. ^ "250 California (history)". Ferrari.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
18. ^ "1985 Modena Spyder (Ferris Bueller "Ferrari")". National Historic Vehicle Register. Historic Vehicle Association. 2017.
19. ^ "Vehicles on the Register". National Historic Vehicle Register. Historic Vehicle Association. 2018.
20. ^ Pollard, Tim (2008-05-19). "Chris Evans buys Ferrari 250 GT California for £5m". Car Magazine. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
21. ^ English, Andrew (2008-05-19). "Chris Evans pays £5m for vintage Ferrari". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
22. ^ Phillips, Drew. ""1961 Ferrari California Spyder sells for record $10,894,900" retrieved: 19 August 2008". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
23. ^ "Barn find Ferrari sells for $16 million". Fox News. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
24. ^ "Sold! Ferrari Fetches Over $17 Million at Amelia Island Auction". Retrieved March 12, 2016.
25. ^ Borrani Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Wheels https://www.borrani.com/ferrari-wheels/250-gte-2-2.html
26. ^ ""McQueen's Ferrari sells for $2.3 m" retrieved: 17 August 2007". BBC News. 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
27. ^ Copy of Interview with Ferruccio Lamborghini, page 2
28. ^ "Modern Classic: Lamborghini 350 GT". Valvoline.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2011-09-28.

Bibliography

• Acerbi, Leonardo (2012). Ferrari: All The Cars. Haynes Publishing.
  ISBN 978-1-84425-581-8
  .
• Buckley, Martin; Rees, Chris (1998). World Encyclopedia of Cars. London: Anness Publishing.
  ISBN 1-84038-083-7
  .

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ferrari 250.

• Steve McQueen's Ferrari Races Into Christie's
• Ferrari 250 Europa: Ferrari History
• Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet: Ferrari History