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The 250 GT represents the longest running road and race series in Ferrari history. Introduction of this legendary model came when Alfonso Cabeza de Vaca and Marquis de Portago drove one the very first examples to victory at Nassau in 1956. Their achievement marked the beginning of Ferrari's domination in GT racing with three-liter sports cars.

From 1954 through to 1959, Ferrari manufactured roughly one hundred purpose-built coupes for endurance sports car racing. While winning the Tour de France (TdF) and other important events, these cars proved their versatility and became the racer of choice amongst top drivers. After Ferraris took the top three places at the 1957 TdF, the race organizers lent their event's name to the victorious design.

Starting in Nice and ending five days and 3345 miles (5383 km) later in Paris, the Tour de France was a highlight event in its day. In a true rally fashion, it tested both durability and versatility through several road rally, circuit and hill climb stages. Since this test was so grueling, most competitors, sometimes up to 70 percent, didn't finish. In more recent times, a modern and less demanding version of the TdF has been hosted as the 'Tour Auto' through France.

The common link between all 250 GTs was their surefire three-liter engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo. This engine was the smaller of the two developed by Ferrari, and was needed due to new restrictions on engine size. After the serious 1955 LeMans incident, a three liter limit was imposed in an attempt to curb high speed accidents. Ferrari's three liter engine was still good for 230 to 250 horsepower and kept up regularly with the prototype entrants.

The TdF used this engine in combination with a long wheel base (LWB) chassis until a shorter 2400mm unit replaced it in 1959. Each chassis received a hand-crafted body, and most were bodied by Scaglietti & C. based on four Pinin Farina showcars. Zagato, a Milanese design house known for their lightweight construction, bodied some particularly potent examples and Camillo Luglio became an Italian Champion in his.

Progressive development, and hand crafted bodies meant that no two 250 GT Berlinettas were the same. Differences were incorporated into the body from year to year, with subtle details such as sliding or wind-up windows, cowled or covered or plain headlights and varied hood louvers distinguishing each car. The first TdFs were modeled after the 250 MM, both having the same general proportions and wrap-around rear windscreen. Later changes to body included a smaller rear windscreen, the addition louvers on the C pillar for cockpit cooling and more pronounced rear fenders. By 1959, a new front end included open headlights to comply with Italian law as well as provide more light at night.

While dominating the Tour de France, the 250 TdF went on to class victories at the Mille Migla and many other Italian events. In its day this car was the racer of choice until replaced by the 250 GT SWB, its disc brake successor.

Important Sales & Examples

#1333GT - Chassis 1333GT was sold new on 15 April 1959, registered 'TO 281660' to Turin industrialist and later Ferrari Works driver Carlo M. Abate when he was only 26 years old. #1333GT achieved one of the Berlinetta's best competition results when it won the Mille Miglia Rally in 1959 with Abate and Balzarini and Balzi at the wheel. #1333 was offered as a lot at the Christies 2003 sale at Retromobile in Paris. The car changed hands for a cool 1 000 000 Euros and is pictured as our first feature TdF over a white background.

#1039GT - Our second feature car is 1039GT which was sold in 1958 by SEFAC Ferrari to Luigi Chinetti in North America for Hastings Harcourt of Santa Barbara, California. While the car did have a Ford V8 at one point, it has been reunited with its original engine and carried its original bodywork. It will be the feature lot at the upcoming Gstaad Auction as hosted by Bonhams.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net