1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB

The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France (TdF) won the classic French road rally for which it was nicknamed for two consecutive years. Its bodywork was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, presaging a shift that the 250 GT model line would soon adopt. Devoid of the finned rear fenders and vented sail panels of the TdF, the new Berlinetta had integrated fenders, a sloping windscreen, short front overhang, small quarter-panel panes behind the doors, and extensive use of glass on the fastback tail. Following seven examples (known as the Interim Berlinettas) with this design, more permanent changes were undertaken.

The new 250 GT Berlinetta was introduced in 1959 at the Paris Salon resting on a 2,600-millimeter wheelbase which had been shortened by 200 millimeters. The shortened coachwork eliminated the rear quarter-panel and for the first time, Dunlop disc brakes were installed as standard equipment to all four wheels, initially concealed behind 185VR15 Pirelli Cinturato tires. Tubular Miletto or Koni shock absorbers were utilized at the front corners. The Tipo 168 Colombo V12 engine featured the outside-plug, non-siamesed ported head that had proven effective on the Testa Rossas and California Spiders. The SOHC engine had a 2,953cc displacement, three Weber 40 DCL6 carburetors and delivered 235 horsepower. It was backed by a four-speed manual competition transmission. Both steel and aluminum bodies were used in various road 'lusso' and racing trims wearing a design courtesy of Giotto Bizzarrini, Carlo Chiti, and Mauro Forghieri.

In competition, the SWB Berlinetta won Ferrari the GT class of the 1961 Constructor's Championship, along with the 1960, 1961 and 1962 Tour de France Automobile.

165 examples of all configurations of the 250 GT short-wheelbase Berlinetta were built through 1962, including approximately 89 examples specified for street use.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2021