Question about Ferrari 250

Although a owner of a 355 I do not know much about vintage Ferraris.

I see that the most sought after is a variation of a 250.

My confusion revolves around the fact that I see quite a few different letters after the 250 (i.e. SWB, LM, etc.)

Is there a website where I can learn all about these cars and what makes each one special?

Been on FChat for years...but just too embarrassed to ask such a simple question.

I've never been into vintage anything...but some of the photos I see of some of these old Ferraris are simply breathtaking art on wheels; I couldn't even imagine what it would be like to be alive back in the 50s & 60s and seeing one of these in the flesh....

Compared to all the other cars on the streets back then....these things must have been just out-of-this-world!

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me.

 

Best advice---go to shows & see them for yourself.

Talk to owners (most will be happy to talk to you--I own a 250 PF Coupe).

Cavallino in January is a great place to start.

Ken Goldman

 

Another aspect is that you burn money with your 355 while the entry-fee to a classic Ferrari is much higher - but also much safer (if you buy the "right"car!).

Ciao!
Walter

 

blamp, here's a couple links that are actually pretty good to go through....from the 250S through to the 250LM (mid-engine, last 250 series car)....it's a big family, based from the colombo 3.0L V12

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_250

http://www.autozine.org/Archive/Ferrari/classic/250GT.html

 

For learning about the classic Ferraris, some good old-school book reading is suggested. You will never learn about the cars one question at a time on F-chat. There is much misinformation on the web; it is not a short-hand subject, though many people treat it that way in on-line comments and the many over-simplified lists. Suggest search this site for threads on the book literature - invest in a dozen of the respected books, even if they too have some errors. They are written by very knowlegable people, who put forth the best information at the time of publication - Marcel Massini, Antoine Prunet, Dick Merritt, Jess Pourret, Joel Finn, etc. And of course the correspondents of Cavallino magazine. These people pieced the history together from years of research, collecting, photos and astute observation - they can teach the factory. Like anything, it takes some study to understand the evolution of the marque, the influence of the racing, the nuances behind the designations. Time and conversation continues bring more information to light, but the story still builds on the fundamentally good base found in the best books. Start with a good little library.

 

+1000

A Great place to start is:
FERRARI by Fitzgerald, Merritt, & Thompson

You can pick up a used copy online for probably $20 and you'll be astounded by what this one book can teach you. Truly one of the all-time best for those interested in delving into Vintage.
Best of luck, whichever way you go and welcome to Vintage.

Best,
Dave

 

If you want to really understand the Columbo 250 motor read Jess Pourret's book on the 250 GT berlinetta competition cars. It gives details on the development of the motor from the earliest 250 Tour de France through SWB and finally the GTO. Keep in mind that this same motor development, with 6 carbs, was in the 250 TR.

Jeff

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferrari-250-Grand-Touring-Cars-Cutrera-/350513282554?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item519c383dfa

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FERRARI-250-GRAND-TOURING-CARS-/380391975939?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item589120ec03

 

"The Ferrari Buyer's Guide" by Dean Batchelor was very helpful to me. It's obviously quite dated, but it talks about each model.

This article might also give you a flavor of vintage Ferraris, when they weren't so vintage:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/david-e-davis-jr-drivers-seat-april-1980-column

 

That is on my list of things to do myself. I must say Mr. Goldman, while I generally find myself leaning more towards the more modern Ferraris, I still love the vintage models and it has to be said, your two vehicles absolutely exude class and refinement and really just stand apart in the automotive world. Please continue to enjoy those beautiful vehicles and thank you for keeping vintage Ferraris as relevant as ever. Best regards!

 

Hi Blampee,

I would also suggest a Ferrari book, a log fire, a Scotch and 3 hours on a Sunday would be the least painful introduction.

Like you, I didn't know much about vintage Ferraris a couple of years ago. I would like to encourage you to visit this section of the FerrariChat forum. The older Ferraris and the associated history are absolutely fascinating and the cars are (mostly) gorgeous. Well worth the time investment.


Onno

 

Bullitproof 3 litre V12. That´s all you need to know

 

Hi Blampee,

The book Don mentioned in an earlier post, Illustrated Buyers Guide, is a good "back pocket" guide if you are at a show like Cavallino or Pebble Beach. It hasn't been updated in many years, Mr Batchelor has long since passed away, so the market values quoted within are a "little light!"

Here are a couple of books focusing on the various 250-engined (3-liter) cars. They both compliment each other, as the Legendary book (David Bull Publishing) is less detailed but features some factory photos; the Nicola Cutrera book, Ferrari 250 Grand Touring Cars (Hyde Park Books, LTD), has essays and photos of an example of each of the various models. This is certainly more detailed than the "Legendary" book.

I feel that if only one engine is used to represent Ferrari, in a museum or time-capsule, it would be the 3-liter Columbo engine. There is none more significant! Kudos to you for wanting to know more about Ferrari's past. Now...can you introduce me to Zophie??

KevFla
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Thank you for all of your replies.

I'm just flabbergasted that the 250 was a car that was produced so many years in so many variations. The doesn't sound like any other car manufacturer's business operation.

I will definitely check out the books, too.

I am in no position to buy any vintage cars. I simply wanted to learn the heritage.

Thanks again, Fchatters!

 

I can give you her phone number....








For ONE MILLION DOLLARS!

 

Issue #16 of Octane magazine (October 2004) has a neat 12-page primer on the 250 series, from the 250 Mille Miglia to the Lusso, featuring classy studio photography by Michel Zumbrunn. The magazine won't fold flat on a scanner, so it isn't ideal for reproduction. Might be able to find a copy on ebay?

 

My overview over 250GT production might also help, especially putting into context all the speciales. There were 11 different series production variations and a very confusing array of design studies and specials that I have very rarely been systematically listed anywhere (one of the main reasons I created this page).

http://koti.welho.com/kpietil4/

 

The printed version of this article in the magazine I received in 2004 contained many printing errors. It seemed more of a draft version published prematurely; for example it contained many "?" where obviously the author intended to fill in certain details later.
Octane magazine rectified this by putting a corrected version in pdf format on their website. It might still be there, or perhaps someone did download it.

The article itself is a excellent introduction to all variants of the 250 with stunning photography!

 

Found it!
View attachment 2004-10_Octane.pdf

 

Thank you for the copy of the article I had forgotten, although I have the magazine since beginning ( and a collection of SupercarClassic for those who are old enough to remember the pre 1989 crash..).
Bring back some good memories as two cars in the article are very familiar....

 

And then I am throwing in the debate the famous question: should the 250LM be considered or not a 250 Ferrari. FIA had its views, some books too where it is included but seem not in the Octane article,unless part is missing.

 

250LM 5149 is a 250 but none of the others.

Jeff

 

using the 250 engine displacement alone is too inclusive, spanning a lot of designs and time. If one considers engine / drive train position only to the front, any development could be viewed as evolution in the design series. When the engine moves to the aft position as in the LM it could be thought of as a revolution in design, by ushering in a new era at Ferrari and racing in general, allowing to group cars based on factors other than engine displacement.

 

That octane article has been reprinted a couple of times in their big Ferrari specials. I have one, I think there is one out now, or was recently. A great way to learn is to lurk in the vintage section. I have learned a ton doing that.

 

This one is fairly good

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferrari-Supercars-3rd-MagBook-evo/dp/1907779280/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323887980&sr=1-1

tells about the 250's The Mille Miglia, Europa, SWB, California, Lusso, GTO, PF, Convertible Series I etc

You can also check www.barchetta.cc out.