Ferrari 250 GTO Series II Berlinetta by Scaglietti
Car producer :  |
Ferrari |
---|---|
Model: |
250 GTO Series II Berlinetta by Scaglietti |
Year: |
1964 |
Type: |
Coupe |
The 250 GTO was produced from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. GTO stands for "Gran Turismo Homologate", Italian for "Homologated Grand Tourer". When new, the GTO sold for $18,000 in the United States, and buyers had to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and his dealer for North America, Luigi Chinetti.
Thirty-six cars were made in 1962 and 1963. In 1964 the Series II was introduced, which had a different body. Three such cars were made, and four older Series I cars were given a Series II body. It brought the total number of GTOs produced to 39.
Ferrari, of course, is the defending victor, having won the International Championship for GT Manufacturers in both 1962 and 1963 in the over-two-liter category, thanks to the stunning force of the GTO. But for the 1964 season, the FIA made further adjustments, such that the resulting classes amounted to “under two liters” and “over two liters,” the latter of which now included the powerful over-three-liter cars. This resulted in much stiffer competition for Ferrari as the GTOs were now officially in the same class as the larger capacity lightweight Jaguar E-Types, Aston Martin DB4 GT/Project cars, and the AC Cobras. Ferrari was also denied homologation status for its latest sports racing car, the 250 LM, so the 250 GTO was placed into service for one more year.
In fact, this bodywork upgrade was considered so desirable that three additional cars originally built with Series I coachwork were upgraded to this new design, two of which (including this car), featured an extended roofline in the style of the 250 LM. Aside from its aerodynamic intent, retrospectively it is considered an absolutely stunning addition to the car’s presence and renders the car’s profile not only supremely elegant, but extremely sporting and decidedly muscular.