1956 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Berlinetta

The Tour de France title was awarded to Ferrari for winning the famous French event. From 1956 through 1959, less than one-hundred 250 GT's would be given the prestigious title. Most of the interiors were handled by the famous Italian coachbuilder Scaglietti and a few by Zagato. Throughout its life span, the exterior was modified to include front wings, covered headlights, three vent side panels, single ventilation ducts, and various other enhancements. Under the hood, the horsepower ranged from 230 to 240. The engine was mostly fitted with three twin-choke Weber 36 DCL downdraught carburetors. The engine was placed under the front bonnet and powered the rear transaxle. The Colombo 60-degree V-12 powerplant had a displacement of 2953 cc. The top speed, under the most modified circumstance, was around 145 mph with could go from zero to sixty in less than seven seconds. Ferrari used their all-synchromesh four-speed gearbox.

Scaglietti was commissioned to build ten of the Tour de France's in 1956. Scaglietti fabricated alloy bodywork for eight that featured the familiar egg-crate grilles and rounded wings. The fashion was similar to PininFarina's 375 Mille Miglia and 250. Both sliding plastic and wind-up glass were used for the side windows. The rear window was a wraparound windscreen. The Milan coachbuilder Zagato outfitted two examples in 1956 mainly for competition purposes. The roof was their trademark double-bubble design. To reduce the overall weight, a lightweight alloy shell was outfitted on the exterior.

In 1957, 27 more vehicles were produced. Scaglietti modified the bodywork using front wings with a portion of the vehicles receiving covered headlights and three-vent sail-panels.

In 1958, 29 examples were produced. Single ventilation ducts replaced the sail panels. In 1959, 11 more examples were produced.

The interior was modest with only the essential amenities offered. Most of the bucket seats were leather, a few were vinyl.

This 250 GT TdF, with chassis number 0507 GT, is part of the first series of nine TdFs built (it is the 2nd example). It was built prior to the Tour de France victory,

The car was delivered new to Dr. Ottavio Randaccio of Milan on 23 April 1956. Five days later, the car was entered in the Mille Miglia, wearing race number 510. By the close of 1956, the car had been given different headlights and taillights, perhaps due to race damage.

Dr. Randaccio raced the car over the 1957 and 1958 seasons in several hill climb events, mostly in Italy.

At the end of the 1958 season, the car was sold to Angelo Roma, also of Milan, who continued to expand upon its racing pedigree. The owner selected French rally driver Rene Trautmann to pilot the TdF. Trautmann drove the car to a 1st in Class finish in his first three events with the car during the 1959 season.

The car returned to Scaglietti coachworks in early 1959 where its styling was again modernized, with a lowered nose, smaller grille, covered headlamps, and a rear spoiler. In this guise, it would race in its final race in period, the Tour de France, but failed to finish.

In 1962, Roma sold the car to Maria Felicita Gattori of Milan. Two years later, it left her care and was imported to Switzerland. By 1968, the car was in the care of Rob de la Rive Box of Vilmergen, Switzerland, before being sold again that same year to Claus Ahlefeld of Kvaerndrup, Denmark. At the time, the car had 52,000 kilometers. The car would remain in Mr. Ahlefeld's ownership for 32 years.

In 2000, the car was purchased by Sam and Emily Mann, who had the car fully restored back to its original condition, as it had appeared during its second season. The body was refinished in its original silver grey with a blue leather interior.

In 2006, it was shown at the Cavallino Classic where it was awarded Platinum honors and the Gran Turismo Cup for Best of Show GT. It was also shown at the Pebble Beach Concours that year where it was awarded 3rd in Class.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016