1957 250 GT Ellena #0755

Glad to have acquired this - my first foray into vintage Ferraris. Not original by any means (GTE engine) but that means I can put my stamp on it and it will certainly get used.

Lots to do to recommission it and sort some prior issues. Hopefully not too many unpleasant surprises in store but I know how that goes ….

It stunk of old petrol and ran rubbish - opening the carbs up I have never quite seen anything like it - barnacles!

The car has been sitting a long time…
Will go through it front to back so no rush.

TX246 if you’re out there I would love to connect - I see from searches you put a lot of effort and thought into the car during your ownership. Would love to learn everything I can about the car’s history and avoid any dead ends you have already explored. Ellena parts are certainly few and far between but I love the hunt so that is part of the fun right?

Cheers
Paul

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Very cool. Looking forward to seeing it sorted and driven!

 

My old car!!!

What in the world is up and going on in the carbs? That is crazy

 

Envious. I would love to find a car like that (assuming that it was priced according to condition). It would be the perfect thing to have "waiting for me" as I approach my retirement years...

Congrats!

 

Spot on!

 

never seen anything like it absolutely stunk - I don’t know if someone added some kind of additive or something, but didn’t smell right! Had to chemically clean the tank and all the fuel lines too and throw away the fuel pump

 

Priced accordingly, but I really don’t know what the future holds for Classic Car market values

 

Congradulations! What a great find! I'm interested in front & rear bumpers for a Boano. Please let me know if you may have any leads, and/or are interested in getting some made? Actually, I have an incorrect for me, Elena rear bumper on my car now! Would love to trade for a correct Boano unit. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That is beautiful! Love the color. Below is what is advertised as a Boano one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272787509823?_skw=272787509823&itmmeta=01K7SHC4P8KA7B8PKYTGMD5C7B&hash=item3f8367123f%3Ag%3AGD0AAOSwPc9Wzaop&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fFKTAICnKIaitrasR8OH2rHGg1Sq41LYdzhdAo%2FrE0MLFcNfxWoaqvx1IKfT5ffZl9gUTLoUz1iNi6pvT20L%2FkhmLco6d%2FrDU6oF86YoaDoy5mFFqG3rPXYV3l0P84j6y5G%2BEyyjL12qAqX6mNe5%2FgfnfXTdbZ%2BC%2FIx6juR2U07n6i6%2F4%2BFZiWVvrov4EJeSLN1h1zRHN6MRki9KQsu6mF%2BAr16wRcottFaD9gN%2FpMd0UHSEqSYwUIvVXTVNPPq2k%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5zLsLG-Zg&keyword=272787509823&sacat=0&relatedSearch=true

If you buy it/find one I may be interested in your Ellena rear bumper. Are the front bumpers the same on Ellena Vs Boano?

Would love some side trim. I see a few people have indicated that had them fabricated (cnc?) any leads on that?
P

 

Modern gasoline and moisture

 

Congrats on the pickup. Barnacle-filled carbs are brutal, but a full strip and rebuild will make a huge difference. Taking your time and doing a proper recommission is the way to go. Definitely reach out to TX246, those connections are gold for avoiding pitfalls and sourcing rare parts. Enjoy the hunt; it’s all part of the vintage Ferrari experience!

 

Yes, I've seen that add for the Elena rear bumper. I believe that it is located in Germany? Quite expensive, and in need of much work; but still. On the rear bumpers, the Elena has the rear license plate light located in the upper surface of the bumper as this Ebay example has. The Boano does not, as they utilize two lights that protrude from the trunk lid. Trunk lids vary between the Elena, and Boano also. The Elena is essentially a top lid, where the Boano has a rear portion that wraps down, and almost extends down to the bumper. I believe that the front bumpers are the same.
Interestingly, the incorrect bumper that now resides on my Boano has the license light, but it is straight across; it down NOT have the bulbs that wrap around the extended quarter panels under the tail lights. I'll dig up a photo to explain. Oh yeah, tail lights are different between Elenas & Boanos also. I beleive that the Elenas came with a white reverse light.
As for the cast aluminum side strips, you may be in luck! Elena expert Ed Montini made some up a few years ago. He has a very detailed thread on here for his restoration. His car is stunning, and it set a record price when sold. Eddie frequents this page, and should chime in soon. He may be going through a house change in Arizona now.

 

Thanks for the info and anything else you share - my internet search efforts are at full throttle. Hoovering up all the info and learning about something is half the fun and I would prefer to onli do jobs once! I am in contact with Ed - photos of his car are my reference point for details but I won’t be in his league on the scale of the commitment or end result….. I will do plenty of the work myself which does mean it will take time but will keep me happy!

 

Just had someone strip and ultrasound and clean up the carbs. May machine top/bottom surfaces as pitted.

Brakes are off for rebuild.
Suspension and steering rebuild on the list.
Engine to come out to redo all the gaskets. Good compression.
Will be modifying the exhaust so a bit more “fruity”!
Lots and lots of little jobs to do but at least that way I can tick things off the list and feel like I am making progress….

Booked in to be cryoblasted throughout to clean it up so clearer what I am working with.

Some chassis and other welding or rewelding to do to get right.

Spending what time I can spare on it while enthusiasm is high!
Aim to get it sorted and enjoy it without getting sucked into tearing the whole thing apart.
Let’s see…
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Good luck with that, but if it's any consolation, you wouldn't be first or last to fall or get "sucked" into countless rabbit holes decades old car will undoubtedly present.
Just out of curiosity, would you care to share, where (climate/environment wise) and how long was this car sitting dormant ?

 

indeed - been there… !!
Bought it in the UK. Looks like it has been sitting inside but for a good number of years but I don’t have more info. Trouble with the UK is even if garaged cars suffer from condensation on metal work etc. It hasn’t faired too badly, mostly cosmetic but I will go through it from front to back so I know where I stand and get as much as I can sorted upfront.