250 GTE | FerrariChat

250 GTE

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Max (SD), Sep 25, 2004.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Max (SD)

    Max (SD) Rookie

    Feb 16, 2004
    23
    What is the general consensus regarding 61' to 63' 250 GTE's? I have been actively looking for classifieds for these cars. I would like to here some remarks from existing or past owners. How drivable are they, maintenance etc.

    Thank you
     
    paulchua likes this.
  2. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    9,877
    75225
    Full Name:
    Scott
    In case you don't know about it, this is the page to go to for info on 1960's 2+2 Ferraris. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of knowledge here on fchat as well, but the hardcore V12 group hangs out on Tom Yang's page.

    http://www.tomyang.net/cars/ferrari.html
     
  3. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 8, 2003
    6,863
    On the Rock
    Full Name:
    James
    but definitely also go to the FChat vintage section - lots of us interested in old front engine FCars there!!
    "lukek" among others, has a GTE; posts there often.

    Welcome,
    james
     
  4. ArtS

    ArtS F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2003
    8,880
    Central NJ
    Max,

    I'm assuming you've read through the old posts. In order for us to give you a good answer, you first have to describe your level of knowledge of old cars and what you are planning to do with the GTE.

    The following are some basic guidelines:

    If this is your first old car, you’re jumping into the deep end with vintage Ferraris. Just because it’s a cheap V-12 doesn't mean it’s cheaper to maintain! A 250 GTE has similar maintenance requirements to a street 250 SWB but a SWB is worth 10 times as much.

    If you are used to the level of care an old car requires, then any '60s Ferrari is fine. If you are a masochist, like me, they can be used almost daily. Keep in mind; the three liter motors do not have much low end torque. If it’s for Sunday drives, the 2+2's are great GT's that will give you a lot of pleasure. If you want to beat a souped up Honda - forget it. If it’s for investment - forget it.

    On any 2+2, buy the best one or you will lose money and not enjoy the car.

    Hope this helps.

    Art S.
     
  5. lukek

    lukek Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 2, 2003
    2,070
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    LK
    I started with Alfas (lots of them), moved on to a 308 GT4, and then finally a V12 Ferrari. I have a 63 GTE, and it has not been that scary to live with. Tom's site is a lifeline. Just do a thorough PPI, and you will be fine.

    Now and again I toy with selling mine to get a modern exotic, but I might just overextend myself a bit and go for the vintage/modern deuce sometime soon...

    If you have any specific questions, ask away, or PM me to chat on the phone.

    thx
    luke
     
  6. sjvalin

    sjvalin Formula Junior

    Aug 31, 2004
    724
    Nevada County, CA
    Full Name:
    Steve Valin
    The grass is always greener, I guess. I've had a 360 Modena for 4 years. It's a blast to drive. it's easy to drive. It makes good noises. It's ungodly fast. It lacks the character and specialness of the old cars, so I have it for sale and am looking for a Daytona.
    -steve
     
  7. Olimpi

    Olimpi Karting

    Sep 26, 2004
    82
    Middleburg, VA
    Full Name:
    David D. Olimpi
  8. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    The truth is service and repairs of classic front-engined V12s is less expensive than that of later mid-engined V8s and flat-12s. The only exceptions are that some of older Ferrari parts will cost more and/or be harder to find.
     
  9. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2004
    10,117
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Marnix
    I saw the pic in your profile.

    *speechless*

    Man, I love those GTE´s.
     
  10. lukek

    lukek Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 2, 2003
    2,070
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    LK
    The PPI on my car was done by Arie Mandemakers in Kesteren, Holland, right in your neck of the woods (about 3 years ago). He specializes in GTEs. If you have not been there already, you got yourself an excellent roadtrip planned

    http://www.ame-engineering.nl/

    AME Engineering

    31 488-482 999
    Swift code Rabo nl 2u
    31 6-55 398 165
     
  11. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2004
    10,117
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Marnix
    Well, thats the internet for ya....

    I can't believe someone from California is pointing out a 250 GTE-specialist located about 25 miles from my home...

    I had no idea. Thanks!

    I'll be sure to have a look in the close future!
     
  12. Higgins23

    Higgins23 Karting

    Jul 16, 2004
    179
    Europe
    Max, Did you ever acquire the 250 GTE ? I keep giving a vintage Ferrari 2+2 very serious consideration but have some hesitation due to the many stories about mantenance and restoration costs. Any insights would be appreciated.
     
  13. Bill P

    Bill P Karting

    Jan 27, 2004
    65
    Prescott AZ
    Full Name:
    William D. Preston
    Hi:

    I publish a quarterly Newsletter devoted to 250 GTEs and 330 Americas. If you will send your name and address to: [email protected] I will gladly send you a free copy. The October 2004 issue has 22 of these cars for sale.

    I notice that you are from the Netherlands. I have about five subscribers there.

    -Bill Preston
     
  14. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2004
    10,117
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Marnix
    I send you an email

    Thank you very much!
     
  15. 63250meade

    63250meade Rookie

    Jun 27, 2019
    17
    Full Name:
    Alex Lawrence
    A blast from the past ….. I read this and laughed out loud... It's funny how things change...a 35k car no more!

    Quote: If you are used to the level of care an old car requires, then any '60s Ferrari is fine. If you are a masochist, like me, they can be used almost daily. Keep in mind; the three liter motors do not have much low end torque. If it’s for Sunday drives, the 2+2's are great GT's that will give you a lot of pleasure. If you want to beat a souped up Honda - forget it. If it’s for investment - forget it.

    On any 2+2, buy the best one or you will lose money and not enjoy the car.

    Hope this helps.

    Art S.
     
    paulchua likes this.
  16. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,978
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    hahaha, great post, I read it again a few times, you're absolutely right.
     
  17. 635CSI

    635CSI F1 Rookie

    Jun 26, 2013
    3,001
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Graham
    Who knew ?
    Bill’s newsletter now edited by David Wheeler and still in business.
    Register maintained by Tom Wilson.
    250 GTE
    Best thing I ever bought.
     
  18. Melchior

    Melchior Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 17, 2018
    23
    Full Name:
    Martin Melchior
    Gents,

    I own a 250 GTE series II and can tell you it is a great pleasure to drive it. Being used to my Austin Healey 3000 I was amazed by the driving attitudes of the GTE - the AH would have been in the ditch pretty quick when being driven the same way like the GTE. What I like is that you can drive it gently the way you would expect it from a Grand Tourismo, but at the same time when you push it there is everything you can expect from a Ferrari. No surprise at the end, as the drive train is pretty much the same like in other models you would connect more to a racing attitude than this first 4-seater "family model".

    From a marketing perspective this model was so successful as the guys in the sixties wanted to drive Ferraris whereas their wifes did not like that so much as they could not join their husbands with the kids in the two-seaters. With the 2+2 model there was no reason anymore for wifes to prevent their husbands from buying a Ferrari - at least the family-argument was gone :)

    Despite this aspect I can recommend anyone joining the GTE drivers copmmunity, as not all of us are pleased enough to afford a coupé, convertible or even Berlinetta. Anyhow, what you must keep in mind is that any technical part you need to maintain your GTE is of the same pricing level like for the more prominent models...
     
    456mgt, 635CSI and enio45 like this.
  19. 456mgt

    456mgt Formula Junior

    Mar 24, 2002
    628
    Cambridge UK
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Only just discovered this thread. I have 3601 and it's with a bit of a shock that I realize I've had it for 7 years now. They're best considered rolling restorations since there always seems to be something on the to-do list.

    The 250GTE register is, in my experience, the very best of the Ferrari communities, populated by genuine enthusiasts, no posers .In fact the biggest casualty of the lockdown has been cancellation of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the GTE that was to be in Philly last month. Gutted about that to be honest, we'd planned on flying the car out for it and I'd had a lot of work done last year to make sure the car was up to a big tour.

    Despite all the cash I've dropped on mine, I think these are a wonderful thing to own and drive. Gets a lot of love too, since hardly anyone I've met has seen one before, and most initially think it's an Aston Martin DB4/5/6 era.
     

    Attached Files:

    enio45, Zanny1, fiatosca and 2 others like this.
  20. Melchior

    Melchior Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 17, 2018
    23
    Full Name:
    Martin Melchior
     
  21. Melchior

    Melchior Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 17, 2018
    23
    Full Name:
    Martin Melchior
    Mine is # 3631 Which is quite close to yours. Interesting that you have series III rear lights?! Any ideas what is the history behind this detail?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    456mgt and Marcel Massini like this.
  22. TerryG!

    TerryG! Karting

    Feb 12, 2017
    155
    Central UK
    A 250GTE thread - has anyone mentioned tomyang.net?

    I see they did in 2004. And he’s still going strong.

    A compendium of really useful information and some forum chat too.
     
  23. 456mgt

    456mgt Formula Junior

    Mar 24, 2002
    628
    Cambridge UK
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Because the previous owner 'updated' the car. I know this sort of thing offends purists but it doesn't bother me. Car also has numerous modifications including uprated brakes, cooling and the engine has been modified along the same lines as 250GTO, minus the aggressive cam. Image Unavailable, Please Login .
     
    turbo-joe likes this.
  24. Ferri

    Ferri Formula Junior

    Dec 26, 2004
    842
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Hugo Garritsen
    The 250 GTE is even honored with a book published this year!
     

    Attached Files:

Share This Page