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250 GT Berlinetta Category: Vehicle Model Wikipedia: Ferrari 250 Description: A sports car produced by Ferrari from 1956 to 1964. Page Sections: History • Images |
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Ferrari 250 page on 10 September 2026, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
250 GT Berlinetta "Tour de France"
The original 250 GT Berlinetta, nicknamed the "Long Wheelbase Berlinetta", was also called the "Tour de France" after competing in the 10-day Tour de France automobile race. Seventy-seven Tour de France cars were built, of which a number were sold for GT races from 1956 through 1959. Construction was handled by Carrozzeria Scaglietti based on a Pinin Farina design. The engine began at 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) but eventually rose to 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp).
At the 1956 Geneva Motor Show, Scaglietti displayed their own 250 GT prototype, which became known as the limited-production, Series I, "no-louvre" 250 GT Berlinetta. The first customer car was built in May 1956, with production now the responsibility of Scaglietti in Modena. Fourteen "no-louvre" and nine "14-louvre" Series I and II Berlinettas were made.
There were four series of 250 GT Berlinettas. In mid-1957 the Series III cars were introduced, with three louvres and covered headlights. Eighteen were produced. The 36 Series IV cars retained the covered headlights and had a single vent louvre. Zagato also made five "no-louvre" superlight cars to Ugo Zagato's design.
A 250 GT Berlinetta won Tour de France Automobile three times in 1956, 1957 and 1958. Ferrari's winning streak in this race would be continued with later 'Interim' and SWB Berlinettas.
250 GT Berlinetta "Interim"
In 1959, seven 250 GT "Interim" LWB Berlinettas were made. They utilised the old long-wheelbase chassis and had the new Pinin Farina bodywork of the upcoming SWB Berlinettas. The bodies are all-aluminium. Interim vehicles have an additional rear quarter window, absent from the succeeding "Passo Corto" Berlinettas. The Interim vehicles are serial numbers 1377GT, 1461GT, 1465GT, 1509GT, 1519GT, 1521GT and 1523GT. 'Interim' Berlinetta won 1959 Tour de France Automobile, thus continuing Ferrari's dominance.
250 GT Berlinetta SWB
One of the most notable GT racers of its time, the 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB used a short (2,400 mm (94.5 in)) wheelbase for better handling. It was this car type that on 17 June 1960 received FIA homologation Nr. 22 for Group GT just in time for the 25 June 1960 Le Mans.
Of the 176 examples built, both steel and aluminium bodies were used in various road ("lusso") and racing trims. Engine output ranged from 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) to 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp).
Development of the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta was handled by Giotto Bizzarrini, Carlo Chiti, and young Mauro Forghieri, the same team that later produced the 250 GTO. Disc brakes were a first on a Ferrari GT, and the combination of low weight, high power, and well-sorted suspension made it competitive. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October and quickly began selling and racing. The SWB Berlinetta won Ferrari the GT class of the 1961 Constructor's Championship. Also won 1960, 1961 and 1962 Tour de France Automobile before giving ground to the GTO's.
In 2004, Sports Car International placed the 250 GT SWB seventh on a list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, and Motor Trend Classic placed it fifth on a list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".
250 GT Berlinetta Lusso
Pininfarina updated the 250 GT with the GT Lusso or GTL. Introduced at the 1962 Paris Motor Show, the car had flowing lines and a fastback shape typical of the GT cars of the mid-1960s. The engine was the 250 GTO's Tipo 168 with 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) and three Weber 36DCS carburettors.
Built by Scaglietti, the Lusso continued through 1964 with few modifications.
Rock star Eric Clapton owned one, and an example that had been owned by Steve McQueen sold at auction for $2.3 million on 16 August 2007.
In 2004, Sports Car International placed the 250 GT Lusso tenth on a list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s. Steve Boone, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the group Lovin' Spoonful owned chassis number #4237, which was stolen from a repair shop in Queens, New York and never found.
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Subject: 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB
Photographer: Oleg Yunakov Event: 2025 New York International Auto Show 
Date: 20 April 2025 License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International View photo of 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB • 5.1MB |
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Subject: 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB
Photographer: Oleg Yunakov Event: 2025 New York International Auto Show
Date: 20 April 2025 License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International View photo of 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB • 5.6MB |
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Subject: “The Art of Italy”
Artist: Ken Eberts Featured Car: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Prints: 
View "The Art of Italy" - 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Art - 94KB |
