Ferrari 250

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The Ferrari 250 is a series of sports cars from the 1950s and early 1960s. It was the company's most successful early line of vehicles, produced for over a decade from 1953 to 1964 and spawning countless variants. The 250 was replaced by the 275. The most celebrated 250 is the 1962 250 GTO, a true supercar that spawned countless imitators.

Similarities

Most 250 road cars share the same two wheelbases, 2400 mm for short wheelbase (SWB) and 2600 mm for long wheelbase (LWB). Most convertibles used the SWB type.

Nearly all 250s share the same engine: The Colombo Type 125 V12. At 2963 cc, it is not a large engine, even for the time, the output (up to 280 hp) was impressive, and the light engine propelled the small Ferrari racing cars to victory after victory.

Collectability

The 250 series is the most celebrated and valuable of all Ferraris. With its numerous low-production models and racing success, various 250s will make up most of any "most valuable Ferraris" list. The GTO, Testa Rossa, LM, and Monza all command US$2,000,000 or more today.

250S

The first in the 250 line were the 1952 250S berlinetta and spider. They introduced the 3-litre Colombo V12 with 230 hp (171 kW) and shared a short 2250 mm wheelbase.

250MM

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A special version of the 250S was built in 1952. This 250MM was built to celebrate Giovanni Bracco's Mille Miglia win in a 240 hp (178 kW) 250S. The 17 250MM coupes and 14 250MM spiders used a 2400 mm wheelbase and had Pininfarina-modified Vignale bodies.

250 Export/Europa

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Ferrari 250 Europa

The 1953 250 Export and Europa were the only of the family to use a different engine. They shared the 2963 cc Lampredi V12 designed for Formula 1 use.

250 Export

The Export model was similar to the 250MM with its 2400 mm wheelbase. One exception was its 220 hp (164 kW) Lampredi engine. It was launched at the Paris Motor Show of 1953.

250 Europa

The 250 Europa, also introduced in Paris in 1953, looked entirely different. With the long 2800 mm wheelbase and Ferrari America-style bodies, it was designed as more of a GT car than any previous 250. Both Pininfarina and Vignale handled the coachwork, with 18 produced in total.

250 GT

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Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Comp.

From 1954, Ferrari introduced the 250 GT series. Available in coupe, cabriolet, spider, and berlinetta forms, numerous vehicles shared this name.

250 GT Europa

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Following on the success of the 250 Europa, a 250 GT Europa version was released at Paris in 1954. This time, power came from the Colombo engine and the design and coachwork was handled by Pininfarina on the 2600 mm long wheelbase. 44 examples were built between 1954 and January 1956.

The GT Europa was replaced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1956 by Boano- and Ellena-bodied versions. Staying close to the Pininfarina design, the 1956 250 GT Boano and 1957 250 GT Ellena developed 220 hp (164 kW) rather than the 240 hp (178 kW) in the GT Europa cars. Disc brakes were fitted to later examples, a first for a 250 road car. About 75 Boano and 49 Ellena cars were built in all.

250 GT Coupe Pininfarina

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The Europa, Boano, and Ellena 250 GT models were replaced by the 1958 250 GT Coupe Pininfarina. As the name implies, this coupe version of the 250 GT was designed and built by Pininfarina on the long 2600 mm wheelbase. Power stood at 235 hp (175 kW), and 343 were built.

250 GT 2+2/GTE

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Ferrari 250 GT 2+2 (black) and 212 (blue) at the Scarsdale Concours

The LWB 250 GT theme was expanded with 1960's 2+2 model. The first four-seat Ferrari, the 250 GT 2+2 (also called the 250 GTE) was designed and built by Pininfarina to the tune of 950 examples. It used the long 2600 mm wheelbase, but interior space was still insufficient for four occupants so the engine and firewall were moved forward. Engine output was back up to 240 hp (178 kW).

956 GTEs were constructed with prototypes starting in 1959 and continuing through three series until 1963.

250 GT Lusso

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The final 250 GT bowed in Paris in 1962. The 250 GT Lusso, as it was called, was a berlinetta designed by Pininfarina but produced by Carrozzeria Scaglietti on the short (2400 mm) wheelbase. A steel body raised weight to 1360 kg (2000 lb), but the engine now produced 250 hp (186 kW) so performance was strong. About 350 luxurious GT Lussos were produced before it was replaced in 1964 by the 275 GTB.

In 2004, Sports Car International named the Lusso number ten on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.

Sports cars

Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet (gray, at center) at the Scarsdale Concours

The 250 design was extremely successful on the race course as well as the street. A number of GT competition models were built in varying states of racing trim.

250 GT Berlinetta "Tour de France"

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Named for the 10-day automobile race, not the famous bicycle race of the same name, a number of 250 GT "Tour de France" Berlinettas were sold for GT races from 1957 through 1959. Construction was handled by Carrozzeria Scaglietti based on a Pinin Farina design. The engine began at 240 hp (178 kW) but rose to 260 hp (193 kW) by the end.

250 GT Cabriolet

Released at Geneva in 1957, the original Pininfarina cabriolet used the 2600 mm wheelbase and had distinct bodywork from the Berlinetta. About 36 examples were produced before a second series was shown at Paris in 1959. These later cars had much more in common with the production Berlinetta. About 200 of the series two cars were built.

Motor Trend Classic named the 250 GT Series I Cabriolet and Coupe as number nine in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

250 GT California Spyder LWB

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Designed for export to America, the 1957 250 GT California Spyder was Scaglietti's interpretation of an open-top 250 GT. Aluminum was used in the hood, doors, and trunk lid, with steel specified elsewhere. All used the long 2600 mm chassis. About 45 were made before it was replaced by the SWB version in 1960.

250 GT Berlinetta SWB

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One of the most important GT racers of its time, the 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB used a short (2400 mm) wheelbase for better handling. Of the 250 examples built, both steel and aluminum bodies were used in various road ("lusso") and racing trims. Engine output ranged from 240 hp (178 kW) to 280 hp (208 kW).

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 in a Ferrari GT, and the combination of low weight, high power, and well-sorted suspension made it a competitive offering. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October and quickly began selling and racing. The SWB Berlinetta claimed GT class of the Constructor's Championship for Ferrari in 1961.

In 2004, Sports Car International named the 250 GT SWB number seven on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s. Motor Trend Classic named the 250 SWB as number five in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

On June 28, 2005, a pristine 250 SWB Berlinetta sold for €1,099,000 (US$1,328,000).

250 GT Spyder California SWB

Replacing their LWB California Spyder with a SWB version, Scaglietti showed a new Spyder California at Geneva in 1960. Based on the 250 GT SWB, it also introduced disc brakes. About 55 were built.

Motor Trend Classic named the 250 Spyder California as number eight in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

Racing models

A few 250 models were also built for racing alone. Most famous was the 250 GTO and Testa Rossa.

250 Monza

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Four special 250 Monza cars were built in 1954. These were essentially 750 Monzas with the 3.0 L Colombo V12.

250 Testa Rossa

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The racing 250 Testa Rossa line is documented at Ferrari TR.

330 America

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A 250 in all but name, the 1963 330 America shared the outgoing model's chassis if not its engine. Powered by the new 4.0 L engine of the later 330 cars, 50 330 Americas were buil.

References

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