1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet

The Ferrari 250 GT provided the company with much needed financial stability and was Ferrari's first volume-produced model. Production began with the 250 Europa, constructed from 1953 to 1954 (with fewer than twenty cars), before being superseded by the 250GT in 1954, the latter featuring a lighter and more-compact Colombo-designed 3-liter V12 replacing the predecessors Lampredi unit. The single-overhead-camshaft all-aluminum engine produced 2200 bhp and was fitted into a shorter wheelbase featuring a multi-tube frame tied together by oval main tubes. The independent front suspension now employed coil springs instead of the previous transverse leaf type. A four-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox transmitted power to the live rear axle, while hydraulic drums all round looked after braking. Four wheel disc brakes arrived late in 1959 and a four-speed-plus-overdrive gearbox the following year.

Scaglietti and Pininfarina produced open-top Spider and Cabriolet models, with several other carrozzerie working their craft on the 250GT chassis. Exhibited at the 1957 Geneva Salon, the Pininfarina's first 250GT Cabriolet was purchased by Ferrari works driver Peter Collins, who later had the car converted to disc brakes. Several alternative versions followed before series production began in July 1957. Around 40 250GT Series 1 Pininfarina Cabriolets were completed before the introduction of the Series II in 1959.

The Series II Cabriolet was effectively an open-top version of the Pininfarina-built 250GT Coupe, sharing the same chassis and mechanical components. The Cabriolet was built alongside its closed cousin until 1962, with a total of 200 Series II Cabriolets producing during its production lifespan.

This example, chassis 1981GT, was assembled in Maranello and then send to Pinin Farina's works in Torino for the fitment of its Cabriolet body. It arrived in Torino on May 11th of 1960 and was completed in less than two months, on Jul 2nd. It left finished in Azzurro metallic over vinyl and leather Naturale Cabriolet. It was the 49th of 200 Series II Cabriolets built and was sold new to Contraves Italia S.p.A. in Rome, Italy.

The early history of this car is not fully known, but at some point later in its life the car was repainted in the current dark red over black hides and a tan convertible top. By the mid-1980s, the Cabriolet had found its way to Switzerland in the ownership of Kurt Bohrer. While in Mr. Bohrer's care, it was given a complete engine overhaul in 1986 at 51,802 km and another overhaul in August of 1987, a mere 6,448km later.

By 2006, the car was in German in the collection of Peter Groh. It appeared at the Techno Classica in Essen, Germany in April of 2010, and acquired by the current shortly thereafter.

Currently, the car has just over 62,600kms on its odometer. It has its matching numbers Colombo V12 engine, period-correct Michelin X tires with Borrani wire wheels, disc brakes, and a 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014