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1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT

The Europa GT holds the distinction of being the first production 250 GT (Gran Turismo) model, making it a very significant model in the history of the Ferrari marque. It served as a template for all subsequent Ferrari 250 GT models with its elegant and understated Pinin Farina coachwork, a three-liter Colombo-derived V-12 engine, and independent coil-spring front suspension.

1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT photo
Coupe Speciale by Pininfarina
Chassis #: 0383GT
View info and history
The 250 Europa was introduced at the October 1953 Paris Auto Show and shared its basic chassis configuration with the 375 America. The body design was courtesy of Giovanni Michelotti and constructed by Pinin Farina and Vignale. Ferrari built twenty-two examples of 250 Europa including 17 with coupe coachwork by Pinin Farina, and 4 by Vignale. Pinin Farina and Vignale also built a cabriolet each.

While the 250 Europa used a Lampredi-designed engine, the Europa GT that followed was equipped with a compact Colombo-designed V12. It was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1954 and rested on a 2,600mm wheelbase on a conventional chassis. The preceding Europa used a 2,800mm wheelbase. This was the first time that Ferrari used the Gran Turismo (GT) moniker and its design would set the tone for many Ferrari vehicles that followed.

The Europa GT used a 2,953cc single overhead camshaft V12 engine with approximately 200 horsepower at 7,000 RPM with an 8.5:1 compression ratio. There were three Weber 36DCZ/3 carburetors or an optional 42DCZ setup. Lubrication was by a wet-sump oil system and the clutch was a twin-plate type. The ignition system used a single spark plug per cylinder, along with two coils and a horizontally mounted distributor. The transmission was a four-speed synchromesh unit and braking was handled by hydraulically operated drums all round.

1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT photo
Coupe by Pininfarina
Chassis #: 0407GT
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The Type 508 chassis were formed from tubular steel and built around two main longitudinal members with cross bracing and body supports. It was suspended in the front by an independent setup comprised of twin wishbones, hydraulic shock absorbers, and transverse leaf springs. The leaf springs were later replaced with a helical spring setup. In the back was a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and lever-type hydraulic shock absorbers.

Production of the Ferrari 250 GT Coupe began in 1955 and continued through 1960. Pinin Farina had built the majority of the preceding 250 Europa examples but it quickly became clear that they were not able to keep pace with the success of the evolving Ferrari model. Their facilities at Corso Trapani in Turin were not large enough, so Pinin Farina moved to a new plant located on the outskirts of Turin, coachwork duties were assigned to carrozzeria Boano.

Felice Mario Boano, his son Gian Paolo, and partner Luciano Pollo formed Carrozzeria Boano in 1954. Felice and Giorgio Alberti had acquired Carrozzeria Ghia in the 1940s following the death of Giacinto Ghia, so they had the experience to undertake the 250 Europa GT construction. Boano had a design studio located in Turin and a factory in Brescia capable of handling large orders. Production began following some aesthetic changes to the original design created by Pinin Farina on Speciale Coupe (chassis 0407GT). Among the updates were a lower roofline and a redesigned rear end.

1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT photo
Coupe by Pininfarina
Chassis #: 0397 GT
View info and history
A prototype 250 GT Coupe (0429GT) was displayed in 1956 at the Geneva Motor Show wearing coachwork by Pinin Farina. It rested alongside a 410 Superamerica and a Boano-bodied Speciale Cabriolet. Pinin Farina would create coachwork for nine prototypes of the series prior to Boano assuming production duties. The Pinin Farina examples had kick-ups behind the doors and a higher roofline.

Boano was later recruited by Fiat so production duties were entrusted to his son-in-law Ezio Ellena. Ellena revised the car's design by raising the roof and removing the vent windows from the doors. The 250 GTs produced by Boan are known as the 250 GT Bonao and those by Ellan are known as the 250 GT Ellena. Boano built 74 examples on the long-wheelbase chassis and Ellena created another 50 coupes. A single convertible, chassis number 0461 GT, was sold to Bob Lee of New York off the stand at the 1956 New York Auto Show.

A total of 35 examples of the 250 Europa GT were built.


by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2021

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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1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Vehicle Profiles

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$1,070-$13,895
1955 250 Europa GT
$13,895-$18,050
1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Base Price : $13,895

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250 Europa GT

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
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17
102.40 in., 110.20 in.
12 cyl., 181.00 CID., 220.00hp
$13,890 - $13,890
104.00 in.
12 cyl., 181.00 CID., 220.00hp
$13,895 - $13,895

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