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Even through the 250 Europa was designed predominately as a road car, several lightweight competition Berlinettas were fabricated by Pinin Farina. These cars were leading up to the 250 GT Berlinetta of 1956 and were made with slightly different specification.

Late into Europa GT production, Ferrari fitted several cars with the with the new Tipo 508 chassis, but they retained the leaf spring front suspension. Using an updated version of the 250 MM engine called the Tipo 112, the 250 Europa GT Berlinetta became a direct predecessor of the 250 GT ‘Tour de France.’ Bodywork was done similar in style to the 250 MM with a fastback profile and curved rear window.

Only a few Berlinettas were constructed on chassis 0369GT, 0385GT and 0415GT. 0393GT was made as a Berlinetta Speciale show car and displayed at the 1955 Paris Motor Show.² Despite having hallmarks of a successful Ferrari race car, none of these cars achieved any major outright victories. 0383GT led a particularly active role in the Tour de France and Sebring 12 Hours.

The fact that these cars were made underlined the competition pedigree of Tipo 508 Europa GT and Tipo 112 60º V12 engine. This specification wasn't far off the Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ (TDF) which was first released in 1956. In fact, some consider these Berlinettas as the TDF prototypes.

Chassis & Sales

0383GT-First delivered to Francesco Marchesi of Bastiglia, Italy. Subsequently raced in the 1956 season by Paolo Lena at the Tour de France, Coppa San Marina and Coppa InterEuropa at Monza. In July of 1967 the car was badly damaged by fire in Detroit. Without engine or transmission, little was left of the car except a chassis and warped aluminum panels. In 1989 the car was finally restored with new panels by Mario Allegretti who had the tough task of recreating the shape. The nose was never quite right, but that didn't stop new blue Ferrari from being used extensively. In 2008/2009 the car was again restored with a more correct nose and the new white paint job with brown leather interior was unveiled at the 2010 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance.

Sources & Further Reading

1. Pourret, Jess. Ferrari 250 GT Competition Cars. Foulis 1977.
2. Mergard, Harald et al. Barchetta.cc. Retrieved January 2011.

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