conceptcarz.com

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB

The short-wheelbase Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta was developed by three young engineers named Giotto Bizzarrini, Carlo Chiti, and Mauro Forghieri. While its predecessor rested on a 2600mm (LWB) wheelbase, the short-wheelbase (SWB) measured just 2400mm and feature disc brakes. It wore coachwork designed by Pinin Farina in Torino and built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti in Modena. They were available in road-going 'Lusso' form with a steel body or in competition specification with lightweight aluminum coachwork. There was a good deal of overlap between the two basic specifications, as Ferrari catered to specific clients' wishes. Thus, some road cars received full aluminum bodies, and/or the higher-tuned version of the engine.

The Ferrari 250 GT SWB (short wheelbase) was introduced to the public at the 1959 Paris Salon with a body design that bore similarities to that of the late series Berlinettas, which are now termed 'Interim' for differentiation purposes. Among the minor visual differences was the omission of the quarter window in the sail panel behind the door glass. It was built atop a 2400mm chassis, with factory type reference 539, and later 539/61. Adopted terminology two distinguish between the two series of cars includes the 'Passo corto' for the 'SWB' and 'passo lungo' was for 'LWB,' or long-wheelbase 2600mm chassis.

The 250 GT SWB received the conventional chassis configuration of twin large oval section longitudinal members reinforced with cross bracing and a rectangular section front cross member. In the front was an independent suspension setup with coil springs and wishbones while the rear employed a rigid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and radius arms to locate the axle. Hydraulic shock absorbers were placed in both the front and rear.

Unlike the preceding 250 GT Berlinetta 'LWB' series, which was offered solely with left-hand drive, the 250 GT SWB was available in either left or right-hand drive configurations. Additionally, it was the first Ferrari production road car to be fitted with disc brakes as standard equipment.

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB photo
Berlinetta Coupe by Scaglietti
Chassis #: 1759GT
Engine #: 1759 GT
View info and history
Auction entries : 2
Power was supplied by the Colombo-designs single overhead camshaft per bank V12 engine that dates back to the inception of the company. In the 250 GT SWB, it had a capacity of 2,953cc via a bore and stroke of 73mm and 58.8mm, wet-sump lubrication, and factory-type references of 168B, 168, and 168 Comp/61. The spark plugs were located outside the vee of the block, with a twin coil and rear of engine mounted distributors ignition system. It used a bank of three twin-choke Weber 38 DCN or 40 DCL/6 carburetors, and Weber 46 DCF/3 carburetors were a further homologated option and used on the special 1961 competition engines, along with larger valves, tuned exhaust manifolds, and other modifications. Depending on specification, the engine produced 220 to 280 bhp.

The engine used a four-speed gearbox plus reverse with all gears having synchromesh, and drove through a propeller shaft to the rear axle. Since the 250 GT SWB served several purposes, from road-going to racing guises, Ferrari offered a range of axle ratios. Competition cars had gearboxes with ribbed alloy castings, and the road cars typically had plain-faced cast iron casings with a ribbed base.

Production of the 250 GT SWB lasted for three years, from 1960 to 1962, with 72 alloy-bodied competition examples among the overall output of just 164 SWB cars. Only minor design changes were implemented during that time, including the addition of front and rear wing vents, the location of the fuel filler, the size and shape of the radiator grille, and the shape of the door window glass.

Competition
The 250 GT SWB successfully carried the Ferrari banner in numerous competition events and continued the lineage of success of the preceding 'LWB' models. Between 1960 to 1962, it earned three consecutive victories in the Tour de France Auto, won the Touring Trophy at Goodwood in 1960 and 1961, a GT class victory at Le Mans in 1960 and 1961, and in the Nurburgring 1000km in 1961 and 1962.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2019

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....
Continue Reading >>

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

250 GT SWB

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
102.30 in.
12 cyl., 180.00 CID., 240.00hp
94.50 in.
12 cyl., 180.20 CID., 280.00hp
94.50 in.
12 cyl., 180.20 CID., 280.00hp
$12,950 - $12,950
94.50 in.
12 cyl., 180.20 CID., 240.00hp
94.50 in.
12 cyl., 180.20 CID., 280.00hp
94.50 in.
12 cyl., 180.00 CID., 240.00hp

Related Automotive News

Pebble Beach Auctions Online Catalogue Now Live; Historic, Unrestored 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Unveiled as Headlining Car

Pebble Beach Auctions Online Catalogue Now Live; Historic, Unrestored 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Unveiled as Headlining Car

Gooding %26 Company launches its entire online catalogue for the Pebble Beach Auctions, announces a remarkably original 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta along major Italian star cars. Gooding %26 Company, the official auction house of the Pebble...
Where it all started: Enzo's first production model heads up incomparable set of Maranello greats as Salon Privé celebrates Ferrari's 75th anniversary

Where it all started: Enzo's first production model heads up incomparable set of Maranello greats as Salon Privé celebrates Ferrari's 75th anniversary

Salon Privé Concours dElégance presented by Aviva assembles rare and hallowed Ferrari models, the like of which has never been seen before at a UK Concours Notables include 1947 125 S (first production Ferrari ever built, on loan from factory),...
Driven by the Greats: 1956 Ferrari 290 MM Leads RM Sotheby's Los Angeles Auction

Driven by the Greats: 1956 Ferrari 290 MM Leads RM Sotheby's Los Angeles Auction

FERRARI HEADLINES 40 ECLECTIC CARS OFFERED AT THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM RM Sothebys announces headline Ferrari entry for Petersen Automotive Museum Auction on 8 December Ferrari 290 MM was campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari for 1956 and...
H&H CLASSICS TO SELL TWO MULTI-MILLION FERRARIS IN GENEROUS LEGACY TO THE RNLI

H&H CLASSICS TO SELL TWO MULTI-MILLION FERRARIS IN GENEROUS LEGACY TO THE RNLI

H%26H Classics to offer a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB and 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB4 from the estate of the late Richard Colton, a pre-eminent British V12 Ferrari collector Proceeds from the sale to benefit the Royal National Lifeboat Institution 1960 Ferra...
1959 12 Hours of Sebring: 12 Hours to Success

1959 12 Hours of Sebring: 12 Hours to Success

In 1961, Richie Ginther would join Giancarlo Baghetti, Willy Mairesse and Wolfgang von Trips to come away with a 2nd place overall finish in the 12 Hours of Sebring. Completing 208 laps, the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa would finish two laps behind eventual...