250 GTE Information Gathering...

Rob:

Be very careful with that statement. Going from a solid 93-94 point car to a 100 point Pebble Beach car can drain $50k from your wallet. When you are getting to that level of work and detail, the bills get very large, very quickly. Then it doesn't matter if you're working on a 250 GTE that on a day when all of the planets are lined up correctly is worth $85k or an original 250 GTO.

 

" I really want a 456, but their prices keep going down while the vintage cars go up. I think it's better to get the vintage first? A real vintage V12 Ferrari is what I want most too."

I sold my 456 to get a 250 GTE. Exact same reason. I loved the 456 but the belts and maintenance were a drag and I was seeing about 1 other 456 a day in London. Since I bought my 250 GTE I have seen precisely none others on the road. I love the look people give it when they drive past and watching them mouth "oh its a Ferrari !"

"1) What is the name of the guy that does the 250 GTE registry? Is that Bill Preston or does he do another registry? Bill is actually a FC consultant now."

Yes Bill is your man. He stills runs the register. I just joined.

2) What are the market ranges now from need restoration to 100 point car?

Piece of string - $50,000 for average up to $85,000 for top of the shop are what I am seeing. The GTE Register is currently listing about 20 for sale I think so I would get onto Bill about that.

3) Anyone know of current cars for sale?

See above.

4) Anyone know the distribution of colors?

I have no idea but having looked at hundreds of phoptos of GTE's on the Web it is clear to me that Dark colours (Blue & Black) look great, and so does Silver. The standard F colours like Rosso and Giallo don't work with the lines in my opinion. Mine is Blue so I am biased of course.

"I really want a nice example. I want something that can be a 100 point car easily. I prefer original vs. over restored. Driveline condition doesn't bother me if the price reflects it. However, I want a straight, rust free, full history, numbers matching, all pieces there and original car."

Add to that Toolkit which is actually very hard to fiond as all the 250 SWB owners pinched them also an Owners Manual is ridiculously expensive because it is shared with Lusso and Cal SPyder etc...

"Any other warnings?"

Take a look at www.tomyang.net

Cheers and good luck. Buiyng my GTE was one of the better decisions I ever made. I miss the 456 but not that much.

Darren.

 

that's

http://www.tomyang.org

 

Speaking of Tom Yang's site, have you considered a 330 america? Or a 330 2+2 for that matter.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Rob,

To each his own. Based on your response, I'm not sure if you are considering all the vintage ones or you've ruled out everything but the GTE. The only reason I suggested a 330 America is that its a third series GTE with a bigger engine which gives it a bit more low end torque. By the way, during the '60s one of Enzo's personal cars was a 330 2+2 four headlight car.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Being partial to 330 4HL's, I like this one:

http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari/images/Enzo&PrinceBernhard.JPG

I prefer dark colors with a strong interior color on both the 250GTE and 330 2+2. Silver (like mine) is nice and safe but it tends to wash out the details.

When I was looking for a vintage 2+2, a GTE would have been fine as well--the right 330 just came along first. Both great cars!

 

Rob:

This is Bill Preston and I am the editor and publisher of the 250 GTE Newsletter. The October issue has 22 GTEs/330 Americas for sale at various prices and conditions.

Send me your post office mailing address by e-mail to:
[email protected]
and I will send you a free copy.

-Bill

 

Rob:

About color: I have photos of 220 GTEs. Very few were red when the cars were new. Black, dark blue, silver, and gray were very popular then. Few white, red or yellow.

There is a saying: "It takes a confident man to own a Ferrari that isn't red."

-Bill

 

Another thing to consider is the differences between the series. The last series included a host of mechanical improvements to the suspension and driveline, wheels, as well as the electrical system. You already know about the exterior differences and the dash.

Here is a piece on some of the articles written about the GTE compiled by a fellow 250 GTE owner:

250GTE articles

Motor Trend 10/60 - Launch Announcement
Sports Car Illustrated 10/60 - Launch Announcement
Motor Trend 01/61 - Comparison of PF Body Styles for 250 GTE & Corvair
Sports Car Illustrated 1/61 - Road Test
Autosport 10/20/61 - Do not have, but have a reference to it.
Road & Track 8/62 – Road Test
AutoCar 12/12/62 – Do not have, but have a reference to it.
Autosport 8/12/63 - Do not have, but have a reference to it.
Ferrari Market Letter – 8/23/80 – History of the 250 GTE
Ferrari Market Letter – 4/1/80 – History of the 250 GTE
Road & Track 11/84 – Used Car Classic Article – History & Modern Road Test
Ferrari Market Letter 3/9/85 – Editorial by Dyke Ridgley
Cavallino #27 5/85 – History of the 250 GTE
Cavallino #28 – 7/85 – Announcement of the formation of the 250 GTE Registry
Ferrari Market Newsletter 1/93 – List of 250 GTE’s that have been converted to Replicas
Ferrari Market Letter 5/11/96 – Matching Numbers Article using 250 GTE’s as examples
Thoroughbred & Classic Cars 6/97 – Do not have, but have a reference to it.
Autoweek 8/2/99 – Bill McGuire praising the 250 GTE
The 11/84 issue of R&T had an article on the Used Car Classic series about "Cheap Ferraris". It had the run down on just about everything for both the 250 GTE & 330 2+2
-Car Collector and Car Classic, April 82, Ferrari 250 GTE, "The First Family Ferrari" - 4 pages


Posted by Tom Wilson on October 23, 2001 at 16:14:53:

from Alan Boe:
I wrote articles on the 250 GTE for the April 1982 issue of Car Collector magazine (s/n 2297 GT was pictured) and for issues 27 and 127 (featuring GTEs 3339 and 4289) of Cavallino magazine. I also did a story for issue 85 of the Prancing Horse. Yes, I do get the GTE Newsletter from Bill Preston. I look forward to seeing your story on the GTE models.
from me:
Car and Driver, articles in Brooklands Books Compendium, Brooklands Ferrari 1955-62 Car + Driver on. Track - $15.30

A 250 GTE 2+2 appeared in the late 1960's action thriller "The Hawk of Ferrari."

 

That blows me away. I thought it looked like a nice car, but almost $200k for a cut Daytona coupe???

(Yes, I know it was one of the last prototypes and all that, but still...)

 

This Daytona was at the Barrett-Jackson auction on April 2003 where it went unsold for $150K. SCM judged it a cond 3 car and had this to say:

"Reportedly an official factory prototype, given by Enzo to Brazilian driver Arturo Mezzario, who had it cut into a Spyder. A/C, Nardi wood steering wheel, Borrani wires, pop-up headlights, no radio. Good paint and chrome. Gasket issues, seats show wear.

Way more information needed here, please. Very early serial number seems plausible, but let's see some factory documentation or photos before raising the paddle. Is it 2+2 becomes Daytona becomes gift becomes Spyder? Whew!"

-steve