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Launched at the 1958 Paris Salon, the Coupe was Ferrari's first series production model and represented a milestone for their company. Using proven 250 GT components, the each chassis was sent to Pinin Farina who executed a attached a magnificent steel body on it. It was this combination of competion-derived engineers and quality built body which made the Coupe Ferrari's best seller.

This model replaced the 250 Europa which was also a Pinin Farina design. During the transition, Ferrari lost their fastback design for a more stately 'notch back' look. Many view the car as elegant and appreciate its lack of ornamentation and garish features. From afar, the conventional lines are well proportioned and make an excellent profile thanks to the lack of three-quarter windows.

Inside, the cars were built as the any other Ferrari of the period and upholstered with a mix of vinyl and leather. Occupants were treated to generous leather seats and a quiet ride thanks to extensive sound insulation. The driver was sat behind to a two-tone dash that flaunted the body color and offered the gauges in a crisp two-tone setting. The standard wood rimmed Nardi steering wheel and flip-up ashtray were also featured.

The Tipo 508 chassis on the Coupe was a simple design, using tubular steel welded together to form a ladder frame. Like the competition cars its front suspension was independent and it used huge drum brakes surrounded by Borrani wire wheels.

Power came from 2953cc V12 which was essentially a detuned version of the Tour de France competition unit. Attached were three twin choke Weber 36 downdraught carburettors that were good for 240bhp, 150mph and a zero to sixty time of 6.7 seconds.

All the Coupes were bodied by Pinin Farina who built a new factory in Grugliasco, Turin to accommodate the orders. Before this factory was ready, Mario Felice Boano and Ezio Ellena built some distinct bodies before Pinin Farina was setup at the new site.

At Pinin Farina, customers could specify individual options, and sometimes Ferrari requested these for special clientele. As an example, Fiat Boss Gianni Agnelli, the Roussel brothers and the Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands all received cars with custom bodies and interiors.

The production total of these 'Speciales' is still a controversy, since almost each car was unique in at least one way. Comon variances included hood scoops, chrome trim, glove boxes and instrument panels.

By 1959, the Coupe had become Ferrari's best selling model and they decided to implement some important updates. The most significant of these was the fitting of disc brakes. In 1960 the updated outside-plug V12 was fitted.

Because 250 GT Coupes dropped seriously in value compared to Ferrari's competition cars, many cars were scrapped, parted out or used to fabricate replicas. Because of this, it is estimated only half of the original 353 survive.

Story by Supercars.net

Chassis & Sales

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