Motoring: Ferrari 250 - 1952

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

The 250 Series was one of the most significant cars in the history of Ferrari. The first car built in large (for Ferrari) numbers, it included in its numerous variants the first production Ferrari with disc brakes, the first four-seat Ferrari, the first commercially available mid-engined Ferrari, numerous race and championship winners and of course, the classic 250 GTO.

Apart from a few of the more exotic competition variants (such as the mid-engined 250P) all the cars used the same basic layout with a longitudinal V12 at the front driving the rear wheels. The front suspension was independent with double wishbones and coil springs, whilst at the rear there was a live axle. All the cars had drum brakes at the beginning, with discs being introduced gradually later.

Unless otherwise noted the engine was a 2953cc V12 with two valves per cylinder, a single overhead camshaft for each bank of cylinders and dimensions of 73mm x 58.8mm (bore x stroke). The first cars with the designation '250' appeared in 1952, the last were produced in 1964.

Ferrari 250 GTO

The GT Omologato first appeared in 1962. Developed by Giotto Bizzarini and a small team of engineers during 1961 they built a single prototype which used parts from a variety of then current production cars, as well as a 500TR engine. Some limitations were imposed by the need to homologate the car as a variant of the SWB. A total of 39 were built, including three which were fitted with the 4-litre engine. In 1963 three 'second series' cars were built with an all new body (plus four first series cars which were converted).

The normal engine was a 2953cc V12 unit with a single cam in each bank, two valves per cylinder, an alloy block and heads and is fed by six Weber 38DCN twin carburettors. It produced 290bhp @ 7,400rpm, although various levels of race trim gave various results. It was positioned lower, thanks to a dry sump, and further back than in the SWB, a fact which enabled the GTO to have a lower and considerably more aerodynamic nose. The suspension, supposedly for homologation reasons, retained the live rear axle of the SWB whilst the front used an independent wishbone setup.

With the GTO, Ferrari won the World Championship in 1962, 63 and 64, with most famous races falling prey to the GTO including the Sebring 12 hours in all three years, the Le Mans 24 hours in 62 and 63, the Tour de France in 1964, the Targa Florio in all three years, the Nurburgring 1000km in 63 and 64 and so on.

Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta

Of all the models in Ferrari's legendary 250 Series, the last incarnation of it - The 250 GT Pininfarina Berlinetta Lusso, is seen by many as the ultimate classic grand touring car Ferrari has ever made. The Lusso Berlinetta is widely regarded as Ferrari's most beautiful car. Some would go as far as describing in at the most beautiful sports car ever made. Its long fluid flowing lines were wonderfully designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti. The chrome work is subtle with a small front bumper and nudge bars just below the sidelights. The Lusso was described by Car & Driver in May 1964 "...its proportions approach perfection."

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