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1961 Ferrari 250 GTE

As the 1950s peaked and the 1960s came into view, Ferrari vehicles continued to offer two-passenger seating while archrivals Maserati and Aston Martin were selling 2+2 GTs in significant numbers. Recognizing a new opportunity to fund his motor racing program, Enzo Ferrari decided to offer a factory tourer of his own.

1961 Ferrari 250 GTE photo
Coupe
Chassis #: 2531GT
First seen at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans as the course marshal's car and officially unveiled six months later at the Paris Salon, Ferrari's first large-production four-seater, the 250 GTE, shared its 2,600mm wheelbase chassis and engine with the 250 GT Berlinetta (LWB Tour de France). Ferrari had produced four-seater vehicles in the past but in very small quantities.

The road-going 250 GT was launched in 1954 and used a compact and lightweight Colombo-designed 3.0-liter V12, replacing its Europa predecessor's bulkier Lampredi-designed V12 engine. The Colombo V12 dates back to 1946, and when Enzo Ferrari had begun planning his new car during the war, he commissioned Colombo to design a small-capacity V12 engine to provide the power. The original 1.5-liter Tipo 125 unit took its designation from the capacity of an individual cylinder (125cc), a nomenclature that would characterize Ferraris for many years to come.

The 250 GT continued the traditional Ferrari practice of using a multi-tubular frame connected by oval main tubes, though the independent front suspension now employed coil springs instead of the transverse-leaf type. A four-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox transmitted power to the live rear axle while hydraulic drums all round provided stopping power. Disc brakes replaced the drums late in 1959 and a four-speed with an overdrive gearbox arrived the following year, and both of these features were incorporated into the 250 GTE from the start of production in 1960.

1961 Ferrari 250 GTE photo
Coupe
Chassis #: 2531GT
The single overhead camshaft, Tipo 128E outside-plug V-12 engine powering the 250 GTE had a 2,953cc displacement, three Weber carburetors, and delivered 240 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox. Late in the production run, a Laycock Overdrive was added to the transmission. The Colombo V-12 engine was positioned slightly farther forward by 20cm, the track was widened, and the top was more slender, resulting in the increased interior room while retaining excellent handling characteristics. The independent front suspension with coil springs, rigid rear axle with parallel trailing arms and semi-elliptical leaf springs, all-round Dunlop disc brakes, and Borrani wire wheels were also courtesy of its 250 GT sibling. The elegant and svelte fastback styling by Carrozzeria Pininfarina allowed for a spacious cabin and a plethora of cargo capacity, and over its production lifespan, ending in 1963 and over three series, the model was little changed. It was a commercial success for Ferrari with 954 examples constructed including 299 Series I cars. They were among the most expensive vehicles on the road, with an MSRP of approximately $13,000. Despite the comfort and luxury, performance was impressive, with zero-to-sixty mph accomplished in around seven seconds and top speed achieved at 143 mph.

The body was steel with lightweight aluminum doors, boot lid, and bonnet. The interior was comfortable and luxurious with a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel, leather-trimmed seats and interior, and chrome-rimmed Veglia instruments. Pirelli Cinturato 185VR15 tires (CA67) were original equipment. Series 1 cars rode on Borrani RW3591 tires, while Series 2 and Series 3 received Borrani RW3690 tires. Series II production began in mid-1962 with the most visual change being an updated interior and dashboard. Series III cars entered production in 1963 and received additional coils to the rear leaf springs, an increased compression ratio from 8.8:1 to 9.2:1, three separate rear lights combined in one housing, and the driving lights were moved from the front grille to under the headlights. These series designations are not official factory designations, rather they are used to segregate the major changes implemented during production.

The 250 GT/E was a popular and highly profitable car for Ferrari and delivered exceptional performance despite the inevitable gain in weight. It wore distinctive Pininfarina styling, offered 2+2 seating, grand touring power, comfort, and ample cabin room. It was replaced by the visually similar 330 America, which used the 250 GT/E's chassis but a larger 4.0-liter engine from the 330 Series.


by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2021

Related Reading : Ferrari 250 GTE History

Theres a lot of history behind Ferraris current 22, the 612 Scaglietti. For as long as Ferrari has been a household name, the company has offered a 22 car with a luxurious and inviting interior to complement its awesome performance, and the 612 is but the latest in a long line of great GTs. The car credited with beginning this grand tradition of grand touring is the 250GTE of the early 1960s. Since....
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Related Reading : Ferrari 250 GT History

Production of the 250 Series began in 1954 and continued on through the early part of the 1960s. There were numerous variations of the 250 and would ultimately become Ferraris most successful line of vehicles to date. The 250 is also recognized as the first Ferrari to ever receive disc brakes. This did not take place until the end of the 1950s. Also, the 250 was the first four-seater. Ferraris....
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1961 Ferrari 250 GTE Vehicle Profiles

1961 Ferrari 250 GTE vehicle information
Coupe

Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis #: 2889
Engine #: 2889
1961 Ferrari 250 GTE vehicle information
NART Spider Speciale

Coachwork: Fantuzzi
Chassis #: 2235 GT
Engine #: 2235 GT
1961 Ferrari 250 GTE vehicle information
Coupe

Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis #: 2919 GT
Engine #: 128 F
1961 Ferrari 250 GTE vehicle information
Coupe

Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis #: 2369 GT
Engine #: 2369 GT
1961 Ferrari 250 GTE vehicle information
Coupe

Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis #: 2713 GT

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$1,050-$12,600
1961 250 GTE
$12,600-$22,755
1961 Ferrari 250 GTE Base Price : $12,600

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Other 1961 Ferrari Models

250 GTE

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
102.30 in.
12 cyl., 180.00 CID., 240.00hp
102.30 in.
12 cyl., 180.00 CID., 240.00hp
$12,600 - $12,600
102.30 in.
12 cyl., 180.00 CID., 240.00hp
$12,600 - $12,600
102.30 in.
12 cyl., 180.00 CID., 240.00hp
$12,600 - $12,600

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