I think it would interesting and useful for all those who are willing to learn ( like me) the following data : 1) What was the first 250 in what year ? (and the last 250 ) ? 2 ) How many variants of the 250 family were made ? 3 ) An estimate of how many 250 units were produced altogether ? Do the experts consider it was the golden era ? on a side note : is the GTO still the most expensive Ferrari of all times ? etc.
I'll try (the chronology is not perfect-sometimes deliberately) and give this a shot for the road cars (so excluding the 250 Mille Miglia and 0156 ET that was updated to 250 spec). The 250 nomelculture refers to engine displacement divided by the number of cylinders. 3000 cc divided by twelve = 250. All images Copyright Paul Harris The first road cars fitted with the 3 litre V12 engine was the 250 Europa (without GT suffix), these cars had an 'EU' suffix which appeared in 1953. A run of 21 cars was produced. The white car pictured is 250 Europa # 0351 EU. These cars were soon followed in 1954 by the 250 GT Europa, of which 34 were produced. The next car pictured is 250 GT Europa # 0375 GT. Then came the 250 GT Boano in 1955, this car is sometimes referred to as 'low roof'. Circa 88 built. The Boano pictured is 0533 GT Next would be the Long Wheel base Berlinetta of Tour de France as they later became known. These cars came in various body guises and are often referred to by the number of vents/louvres there are in the sail panel. Circa 77 made. The red with light blue stripe is a 14 Louvre car # 0629 GT. The silver car is a single louvre car # 1035 GT. The blue car is a Zagato bodied special built on chassis 0515 GT. At the same sort of time, with demands from the USA came an open version of the lwb Berlinetta, called the California. These cars again came with varying body features, most notably open and closed (covered) headlights. 49 built The white car is 1505 GT. The red car is 1253 GT At the same time, Ferrari offered another open tourer with a less potent engine, bodied by Pinin Farina. As was typical at the time (late 1950s) these cars had unique styling differences to set them apart from each other. The cars were built in two Series runs (40 Series I, 200 + Series II) The grey car is a Series I car, chassis # 0811 GT. The red car a Series II example, chassis # 2063 GT Then 250 GT swb (Short Wheel base) Berlinetta. A hugely successful car in competition. 160 + of all variants (alloy body/steel body/comp engine) built. Pictured is 250 GT swb Berlinetta # 2243 GT Once again, with demand from the US importers an open version of the Berlinetta was offered. This car was also available with open and closed headlight configurations. 55 built. Pictured is 250 GT swb California # 2377 GT (covered headlights) and 4121 GT Similar to the Boano but referred to was the 'high roof' Ellena variant. 50 produced. The Ellena pictured is 0819 GT Alongside the 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet ran the 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe. 350 built. Pictured is 1233 GT Then came the 250 GTE 2+2, a four seater Ferrari. Built across three series of production, each with subtle modifications and improvements. 900+ made (all variants). Unfortunately, many converted in to replicas of GTOs, TRs, LMs etc. Series I car # 2235 GT. Series II car # 3643 GT. Series III car # 4853 GT. Then to what is the most famous Ferrari if not most famous car of all time. The 250 GTO. An evolution of the 250 GT swb featuring two different body styles as aerodynamic and technological advancements were made. Series I car # 3757 GT. Series II car # 4399 GT. A supposed evolution of the 250 GTO was the 250 Le Mans but with the shift of engine from front to rear the governing bodies saw straight through it and the 250 LM was forced to compete in the prototype class. Pictured is 6313 LM To close out the road going 250 series was the 250 GT Lusso. 351 built. Pictured is 4891 GT Although this list is not perfect it hopefully documents (in pictures at least) the evolution of the 250 series. Paul Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Wow Paul, that's an impressive answer! Agreed, leave the 250MM's out, as this was a different engine altogether, but the Testarossa? (Other comp cars like GTO are included, so I'd say it also belongs in the list)
I'll have one of each, please It is uncanny how Ferrari have managed to make so many different models over the same engine layout, and ALL of them are IMHO at the absolute top of "most beautiful cars of all time". Thanks for wonderful photos!
My list was intended to be for the odd numbered (road) cars but this obviously includes GTO, LM, Tour de France et al. I also omitted the Interim built on a long wheel base chassis but with 250 GT swb-esque bodywork. I have not seen any of these so I cannot provide any images. There are images elsewhere of FerrariChat. And some 250 Testa Rossas... 0752 & 0738. Copyright Paul Harris Paul Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Excellent assessment Paul, only thing I would add is that only the first 250LM had a 3.0 litre 250 engine all the rest were 3.3 litre so although badged as 250s should really be 275s
Paul, Agree with the others that you made a wonderful answer. It should be pointed out that the 250 engine of the earliest pre-TdF group used a different engine block that was far different from the 128 type (which evolved into the 168). Can't remember when the engine change started but I am thinking it had happened by the time the TdFs had started. Further clairification on the 250LM. True the first one 5149 was the only one built with a 250 motor but it too was changed to the 275/3.3L after homologation was denied. Jeff
Jeff, I made an attempt to show all the 250 (regardless of block type) cars in some sort of chronological order and to show the visual differences and the evolution of the type. I am no way knowledgeable enough to comment on the mechanical differences, engine types, inside plug, outside plug etc etc. Visual differences maybe but not mechanical. Paul
Paul, What you did was a superb compilation with corresponding photos. I want to take nothing away from that. Do get an old copy of Jess Pourret's 250 GT book and commit it to memory. It does a spectacular discussion on the evolution of the TdF through GTO and details the nuances of the engine development. As the 128 and 168 were the same engine blocks for the then current production cars it is then possible to understand what was happening with their concurrent evolution too. As someone pointed out the 250TR came out of this same engine program too so there was a lot of cross polination between the TR and the TdF. TdF 0677 of Olivier Gendebien was used for TR engine development. As for covered vs. closed headlights of the late fifties/early 60s my understanding is that had mostly to do with some changing European country regulation changes that sometimes made closed illegal for new sales. In the US, during this period, it was not a regulatory problem. Beyond this were personal preferences for buyers that did have the choice. Jeff
I really do appreciate your effort and time Paul So is it safe to assume the 1st 250 was the Europa and the last one being the Lusso ? +1 Indeed +1 that was the spirit and motivation behind my doubts and hence my question just when I think I know ALL of the 250 series cars suddenly appears another one I didn't know of anyway I just noticed the 250 PF Cabriolet is it the same car as the California Spyder ?
Great responses to your question. The books I been reading lately say the same chassis and drive train was used in the TDF, the LWB California, the series I PF Cabriolet, and the series I PF Coupe. The main difference was the coachwork on the car. Note, the series II PF coupe and cabriolet had outside plug engines and disc brakes. I can see the LWB California and the two series I PFs being the same but I suspect there were some engine differences on the TDF. If you are referring to the coachwork, the Series 1 PF Cabriolet and the LWB California are different. They had different coach builders, although the styles can appear to be somewhat similar when your first see them. Cheers Jim
For road cars only, scroll to the bottom of this page and you'll find a chart that might be helpful: http://www.ferrarichat.com/velostrada/issues/200510/Ausbrooks_Family_Tree.htm
Completely different engine family? The only thing they have in common is the displacement and the number of cylinders,as far as I know.
It already started with different engines because the 250 Europa had a Lampredi engine and the 250 GT Europa a Colombo one. If it should start with 250 than the Monza is missing.. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Well, the question was just '250' so we have to add the race cars. Apart from the 250S, 250MM, 250TR & 250 Monza already mentioned: 250P 250SP (probably 0796) 250TR Tasman Dino (0788) & then maybe the 250P5
250 Superamerica - looks like a 400 SA with the 250 Columbo motor. It may be possible to fit the 1966 F1 in too. As I understand it, this is essentially a develoment of the 250 columbo motor. Jeff
Anyone can elaborate on the differences? It is a 250cc wet sump Colombo block. The big difference might be the heads since the carbs were four-choke. What else is different? john
