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1953 Ferrari 250 Europa

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa

Ferrari 250 Europa

In many ways, the Europa was Ferrari’s first grand touring car. It was the first built with no racing intentions and, due to a new relationship between Pinin Farina and Ferrari, its style was more uniform than any previous series. The success of the Europa model contributed to all of Ferrari’s road cars right up to present day and it helped Pinin Farina mature their ever-important relationship.

Compared to the 212 Inter it replaced, the Europa was a much larger car, with a chassis like the 375 America and a much larger long block engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi. Only a handful of cars were built before a much more successful second series of cars were produced.

When Mercedes-Benz entered the high-end sports car with their space-frame 300SL, Ferrari responded with a second series Europa. In 1954, the Europa GT was launched with Colombo’s lighter and more compact short-stroke engine. It also had a shorter in the wheelbase than that of the first Europa, independent front suspension having coil springs instead of the previous transverse leaf type and a four-speed, Porsche-type, all-synchromesh gearbox.

The GT designation on the new car was an important one, as Ferrari’s 250 GTs would go on to rule sports car racing from 1956 to 1964.

Pinin Farina was responsible for all the second series Europas minus one exceptional Vignale Coupe built for Princess Liliane de Rethy of Belgium on chassis #0359. Pininfarina also made few special cars, but most of the 28 cars shared the same design language.

Just eighteen months into production, the Europa was replaced by the new 1956 Boano/Ellena body style which was penned by Pininfarina.

Pictures

See full 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Gallery here

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Specs & Performance

submitted by Richard Owen
type Limited Production Car
built at Maranello, Italy
engine V12
position Front, Longitudinal
valvetrain SOHC 2 Valves / Cyl
displacement 2963 cc / 180.8 in³
bore 68 mm / 2.68 in
stroke 68 mm / 2.68 in
compression 8.5:1
power 149.1 kw / 199.9 bhp @ 6300 rpm
specific output 67.47 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 173.83 bhp per tonne
body / frame Body over Steel Chassis
driven wheels RWD
front brakes Hydraulic Drums
rear brakes Hydraulic Drums
steering Worm & Wheel
curb weight 1150 kg / 2535 lbs
wheelbase 2800 mm / 110.2 in
front track 1325 mm / 52.2 in
rear track 1320 mm / 52.0 in
length 2800 mm / -1.0 in
width 1325 mm / -1.0 in
height 1320 mm / 52.0 in
transmission 4-Speed Manual
top speed ~218 kph / 135.5 mph
0 – 60 mph ~5.9 seconds
0 – 100 mph ~15.5 seconds

Auction Sales History

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupé Pinin Farina 0305 EU – sold for $2,750,000 The fourth of twenty-one 250 Europas constructed. Interesting early history, including period Italian concours events. Recently completed five-year, concours-level restoration by Ferrari specialists. Featured on the cover of Cavallino issue 198. First in Class at the 2014 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Unquestionably one of the finest 250 Europas in existence. Auction Source: 2014 Monterey by RM Auctions

1057837-1024
1954 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe 0343EU – sold for $1,017,500 One of only 16 examples produced. Legendary Lampredi V-12 power. Extraordinarily high quality of restoration and subsequent care. Auction Source: 2013 Arizona Auction by RM

8039801953 Ferrari 375/250 Europa Chassis 0315AL – did not sell for $500,000 ccording to information provided by the previous owner, Dr. Balestra, who lived in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, purchased 0315 on November 13, 1954 as a three-liter. Thereafter, the factory carried out the engine swap, simultaneously installing a 9.33 (3.66) rear-end gear that permitted a relaxed 100 miles per hour touring speed with the new engine. The engine and rear end update was completed in 1955 according to Ferrari factory correspondence. Auction Source: 2008 Monterey Preview