250 PF Coupe versus 250 GTE

Erik,

I think most of the PF Coupe drum brake cars have inside plug engines. Also, they drive like much older cars than the drum brake cars (many chasis improvements).

For hands-on insite, post on Tom Yang's site - there are a number of PF coupe and GTE owners there.

Regards,

Art S.

 

If you'd like something to read while F-Books are in storage, pick & choose amongst these 250 Street Car Essays:
http://qv500.com/indexferrari3.htm

 

I came within an eyelash of getting a PF Coupe over the Queen Mum about 5 years ago. And having seen a gorgeous silver Coupe at the Reading Concours last weekend, it still kills me. I need both!

About 350 or 353 were built. I personally break these into series I and II. Without looking at my file at home, I believe that the first 200 fall into my series I category which means drum brakes and inside plug. The first several of these 200 had the 128C motor and the rest had the 128D motor.

My S.II category means disc brakes and outside plug (tipo 128F) motors. The dividing line between my s.I and s.II categories is hazy because, while the last drum brake car was s/n 1493, there are a few 128F cars before 1493 and a few 128D cars after 1493.

I have heard that the differential on the Coupes was a piece of junk and was often switched out in favor of a much hardier Ford rear end. A lot of folks over the years have also removed the drum brakes for discs.

 

as far as the older vs. newer cars goes, I'll tell you what some owners of the older drum-braked, inside plug cars have told me. While the romantic appeal is w/ the older cars, if you actually want to stop in a straight line and sooner than later, then the drum brakes will not please you. Also, a spark-plug change on the inside plug car will take 3 times longer than on the ouside plug car. You must make sure you tighten your fuel hose connections to the Webers on the inside plug car on a very regular basis, since a drip from there goes right on the cluster of spark plugs below . . . I hate when that happens.

 

I never could get past the nickname "Farinabird".

 

Erik,

Been there had the dilemma....ended up with a 250 GTE. Having a baby daughter last year helped me make the final decision as I like the idea of having her in the back when I go cruising. Aside from the 2 seater versus 2 plus 2 comparison I think most of the otehr replies here have it right - almost all of the Drum brake 250 PF Coupes I drove were shockers when it came to braking. Huge pulls left and right...some were downright scary. I am not a great believer in converting Drum brakes to Disc so you either live with it or look elsewhere.

The Coupes however are such beautiful cars and have appreciated significantly over the last 12 months. If you look at www.ferraribuy.com you will see some silly numbers being asked. I believe you get more value for money (in terms of actual usability) from Disc braked GTE's.

I attach a document that gives you every chassis number you would ever want for 250PF Coupes as well as exterior and interior colours as they left the factory.

Cheers,

Darren.

 

GTE all the way. You will drive it more. Drum brakes are scary in modern traffic and the extra seats and parts availability are a bonus.
I am a little biased, of course.

 

About 4 years ago, I came this close to buying a PF coupe from Garry Roberts. It was supposedly the first one imported into Japan. As I recall, it was a 1960 series II, outside plug, disk brakes (maybe). The original owner, who was in the Army and ended up in Colorado, painted it white.

Garry got out of the F-car bidness and sold it. I'm curious. Does anybody know where it ended up?

Thx, Dale