Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Gioacchino Colombo-designed short block engine had been brought up to develop 220 horsepower through its development in the competition-derived 250 model, the 250 Mille Miglia. Fitted into the shorter-wheelbase Europa GT models, these cars had a weight reduction by approximately 10% and gained nearly ten miles per hour to the top speed. Along with this performance boost, the Europa also benefitted from a fully revised suspension, now featuring independent coil-sprung suspension with double wishbones up front. The suspension changes made for a better handling car, excellent road holding and cornering abilities. The large Alfin brake drums were similar to those found on Ferrari's competition GT, the Tour de France.
This particular Europa GT is especially special, as it is one of just two examples bodied with lightweight aluminum alloy coachwork. It is presented with competition specifications generally unseen in the model. The car was originally prepared for the Mille Miglia, but it ultimately never ran the race, as it was not completed at Ferrari's workshops in time for the start.
The car's specifications combined elements of two different chassis types, the Type 508, which was the first of the ever-evolving 250 GT chassis, and the Type 513, which was only otherwise used on four 250 GT Speciale examples that were bodied in Super America-style coachwork. In comparison to the standard Europa GT chassis, the chassis frame tubes and cross members of this car were laid out quite differently, and feature a wider track front and rear, offering superior handling for road racing. The brakes on this car are identical to the ones fitted to the 375 MM Spider and Berlinetta sports racing car. The Type 112 motor no. 0389 GT (internal no. 333) was installed and tuned for competition. The weight was kept to a minimum by using a Type 102 magnesium gearbox casing, again in similar fashion to that of the 375 MM.
This left-hand drive example is finished in Blue Fiat 8V and upholstered with Plastico Naturale, much as it appears today. It was issued a certificate of origin on March 18th of 1955 and on April 27 the car was officially sold to Industrie Lampade Elettriche in Vicenza, Italy, on behalf of Luciano Cascalli. Over the next few years, the car remained in Romee before being purchased by Ferrari collector Edwin Niles of Los Angeles, California, in March of 1960. Mr. Niles imported the car to the United States, and soon thereafter sold it to a local Los Angeles dentist named Robert H. Peterson. Mr. Peterson commissioned Max Balchowsky to install a Corvette transmission and rear axle after a clutch failure; the original Ferrari V12 engine was retained.
The Europa GT then passed to several Hollywood executives, including two different employees of Columbia Pictures, eventually landing in the purview of Paul Forbes in 1981. A year later, the alloy-bodied Europa GT was purchased by Steve Tillack of Redondo Beach, California, and he treated it to a cosmetic refurbishment in the correct color scheme of blue paint over a tan interior. 0389 GT was then sold to Italian resident Marco Ferre, who repatriated the beautiful car back to its native Italy. His children inherited the car after Mr. Ferre's passing in 1991, and soon offered it for sale.
Michael Stollfuss of Bonn, Germany became the car's next caretaker, who then campaigned it at the Mille Miglia in May of 1999 wearing start number 298. After brief ownership by one additional German enthusiast, the car returned to the United States when purchased by Fantasy Junction's Bruce Trenery. A short time later, it was sold to Stephen Block of Moraga, California. Mr. Block unofficially brought the Europa GT to several major events without formally exhibiting it, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Concorso Italiano. Mr. Block also campaigned the car in the 2002 California Mille, where it received damage to its front fender. Hereafter, 0389 GT was repaired and treated to a proper repaint in 2002. During this time, the car's matching-numbers Colombo V-12 engine was rebuilt. The car then passed to Barry Konier, before being acquired by its current caretaker in 2009.
In addition to participating in the California Mille, the car has also successfully completed the Colorado Grand on four occasions. It received a Platinum Award at the FCA's May 2013 meet in Pasadena.
The Corvette transmission and rear axle installed by Max Balchowsky are long gone, and in place are correct, period Europa GT units. The original matching numbers engine block is currently fitted with cylinder heads from a Colombo Type 128C engine.
This Europa GT is one of approximately 27 examples bodied with Pinin Farina's Coupe coachwork.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015
This particular Europa GT is especially special, as it is one of just two examples bodied with lightweight aluminum alloy coachwork. It is presented with competition specifications generally unseen in the model. The car was originally prepared for the Mille Miglia, but it ultimately never ran the race, as it was not completed at Ferrari's workshops in time for the start.
The car's specifications combined elements of two different chassis types, the Type 508, which was the first of the ever-evolving 250 GT chassis, and the Type 513, which was only otherwise used on four 250 GT Speciale examples that were bodied in Super America-style coachwork. In comparison to the standard Europa GT chassis, the chassis frame tubes and cross members of this car were laid out quite differently, and feature a wider track front and rear, offering superior handling for road racing. The brakes on this car are identical to the ones fitted to the 375 MM Spider and Berlinetta sports racing car. The Type 112 motor no. 0389 GT (internal no. 333) was installed and tuned for competition. The weight was kept to a minimum by using a Type 102 magnesium gearbox casing, again in similar fashion to that of the 375 MM.
This left-hand drive example is finished in Blue Fiat 8V and upholstered with Plastico Naturale, much as it appears today. It was issued a certificate of origin on March 18th of 1955 and on April 27 the car was officially sold to Industrie Lampade Elettriche in Vicenza, Italy, on behalf of Luciano Cascalli. Over the next few years, the car remained in Romee before being purchased by Ferrari collector Edwin Niles of Los Angeles, California, in March of 1960. Mr. Niles imported the car to the United States, and soon thereafter sold it to a local Los Angeles dentist named Robert H. Peterson. Mr. Peterson commissioned Max Balchowsky to install a Corvette transmission and rear axle after a clutch failure; the original Ferrari V12 engine was retained.
The Europa GT then passed to several Hollywood executives, including two different employees of Columbia Pictures, eventually landing in the purview of Paul Forbes in 1981. A year later, the alloy-bodied Europa GT was purchased by Steve Tillack of Redondo Beach, California, and he treated it to a cosmetic refurbishment in the correct color scheme of blue paint over a tan interior. 0389 GT was then sold to Italian resident Marco Ferre, who repatriated the beautiful car back to its native Italy. His children inherited the car after Mr. Ferre's passing in 1991, and soon offered it for sale.
Michael Stollfuss of Bonn, Germany became the car's next caretaker, who then campaigned it at the Mille Miglia in May of 1999 wearing start number 298. After brief ownership by one additional German enthusiast, the car returned to the United States when purchased by Fantasy Junction's Bruce Trenery. A short time later, it was sold to Stephen Block of Moraga, California. Mr. Block unofficially brought the Europa GT to several major events without formally exhibiting it, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Concorso Italiano. Mr. Block also campaigned the car in the 2002 California Mille, where it received damage to its front fender. Hereafter, 0389 GT was repaired and treated to a proper repaint in 2002. During this time, the car's matching-numbers Colombo V-12 engine was rebuilt. The car then passed to Barry Konier, before being acquired by its current caretaker in 2009.
In addition to participating in the California Mille, the car has also successfully completed the Colorado Grand on four occasions. It received a Platinum Award at the FCA's May 2013 meet in Pasadena.
The Corvette transmission and rear axle installed by Max Balchowsky are long gone, and in place are correct, period Europa GT units. The original matching numbers engine block is currently fitted with cylinder heads from a Colombo Type 128C engine.
This Europa GT is one of approximately 27 examples bodied with Pinin Farina's Coupe coachwork.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015
2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,300,000-USD $2,600,000
Sale Price :
USD $2,227,500
2015 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,800,000-USD $3,400,000
Lot was not sold
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Ferrari 250 Europa GT
(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Chassis#: 0427 GT Sold for USD$2,095,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1955 FERRARI 250 EUROPA GT Chassis#: 0413 GT Sold for USD$2,222,000 2021 Gooding & Co : May : Geared Online | |
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Alloy Chassis#: 0389 GT Sold for USD$2,227,500 2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction | |
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Competizione Chassis#: 0387GT/0139EU Sold for USD$3,000,000 2015 Rick Cole Monterey | |
1956 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Chassis#: 0427 GT Sold for USD$2,310,000 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | |
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Chassis#: 0409 GT Sold for USD$2,530,000 2014 Gooding & Company - Amelia Island Sale | |
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupé by Carrozzeria Pinin Farina Chassis#: 0407GT Sold for USD$2,420,000 2013 RM Auction - Art of the Automobile | |
1955 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione Chassis#: 0415GT Sold for USD$7,150,000 2013 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach | |
1955 Ferrari 250 GT Europa by Carrozzeria Pinin Farina Chassis#: 0391 GT Sold for USD$752,406 2012 RM Auctions at Monaco | |
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Chassis#: 0405 GT Sold for USD$797,500 2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1956 Ferrari Europa GT Chassis#: 0405GT Sold for USD$715,000 2008 Gooding & Company |
Ferrari 250 Europa GTs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupe by Pinin Farina | 0405 GT | 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Alloy | 0389 GT | 2015 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | $2,800,000 | $3,400,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $2,383,582 range.
2011 Ferrari SP30 Berlinetta Chassis#:ZFF70RDT7B0188026 Sold for $2,296,000 2024 Bonhams : Miami | |
1933 HISPANO-SUIZA J12 CABRIOLET Chassis#:14004 Sold for $2,315,000 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | |
1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K SPECIAL ROADSTER Chassis#:154080 Sold for $2,420,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia Chassis#:106.000053 Sold for $2,425,000 2023 RM Sothebys : New York | |
1997 Porsche 911 GT2 Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZVS392077 Sold for $2,397,500 2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection | |
1990 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000086097 Sold for $2,429,110 2023 RM Sothebys : London | |
2007 MASERATI MC12 VERSIONE CORSA Chassis#:ZAMDF33B000029629 Sold for $2,480,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
2020 McLaren Speedtail Chassis#:SBM23GDGXLW403072 Sold for $2,315,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2007 Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 Chassis#:DBR9/106 Sold for $2,423,895 2023 RM Sothebys : Le Mans | |
1984 Lancia LC2 Chassis#:0005 Sold for $2,423,895 2023 RM Sothebys : Le Mans | |
1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti Chassis#:17055 Sold for $2,500,822 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
1989 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000080763 Sold for $2,287,799 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
2015 McLaren P1 Chassis#:SBM12ABA4FW000168 Sold for $2,425,000 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
1992 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000093942 Sold for $2,400,723 2023 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1929 Bugatti Type 35C Sold for $2,400,723 2023 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé 'Chambas' Chassis#:110105 Sold for $2,385,365 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
1988 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000077676 Sold for $2,385,365 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
1991 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000089385 Sold for $2,406,175 2022 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1957 BMW 507 Series II Roadster with Hardtop Chassis#:70059 Sold for $2,315,000 2022 Bonhams : The Audrain Concours Auction | |
1973 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA RS 2.7 LIGHTWEIGHT Chassis#:9113600476 Sold for $2,425,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach |
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Ferrari 250 Europa GT model years