Ferrari 250 GT Berlinette Competizione LWB by Pinin Farina
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Car producer : |
Ferrari |
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Model: |
250 GT Berlinette Competizione LWB by Pinin Farina |
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Year: |
1955 |
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Type: |
Coupe |
Developed as Ferrari phased out production of the popular 250 MM, the famous marque from Maranello would construct six prototype examples of the long-wheelbase 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione in 1955. This limited-run model would, in effect, serve as a forerunner to the revered 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ that went on to dominate the Tour de France Automobile from the mid-1950s through to the early 1960s. Constructed with bodywork by Pinin Farina, the Berlinetta Competizione would make use of the 250 Europa GT platform as Ferrari pushed forward the evolution of the 250 GT series into what would become their most legendary models. The 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione was constructed on a Tipo 508 chassis, with a wheelbase of 2,600 millimetres, and fitted with the Colombo-designed Tipo 112 engine, a small-block V-12 powerplant. As a successor to the 250 MM, the 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione would adapt and evolve much of the Ferrari engineering employed in the earlier car. While these early cars would still use the old Mille Miglia-type transverse leaf front suspension, the Berlinetta bodies introduced rounded shapes as period research improved aerodynamics in car design.
The 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; 237hp) but eventually rose to 260 PS (191 kW; 256hp). Pirelli Cinturato 165R400 tyres (CA67) were standard.
The last 250 MMs had been built by 1954 and work began on what would become the 250 GT Berlinetta “Tour de France”. A stronger, new tubular chassis was employed with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. The elliptic leaf spring suspension was replaced with wishbones, coil springs and shocks and the Colombo Tipo 112 short block V-12 engine was fitted. (Subsequently the engine would be developed and designated Tipo 128, 128B, C and D.)
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
