Ultimate guide to all Ferrari 250 models

Before we start:

• The '250' designation refers to the 250 cc size of one cylinder in the 3.0-liter V12 Colombo engine.
• All Ferrari 250 models used two wheelbases: 2,600 mm (short) and 2,800 mm (long).
• Most Ferrari 250 models featured the same V12 engine with modifications for road or race use.
• Ferrari used steel for road cars and aluminum for race cars during production.

1952 Ferrari 250 Sport

Photo: Ultimatecarpage.com

The first Ferrari 250 car, the 250 Sport by Vignale 0156ET, was an experimental prototype that won the 1952 Mille Miglia and 12 Hours of Pescara. This unique model also competed at Le Mans and in the Carrera Panamericana.

1952 Ferrari 250 MM Spyder by Vignale

At the 1952 Paris Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled an updated chassis for the new 250 engine. Vignale was tasked with building an open-top competition variant. They were introduced in three series with minor differences. In total, Vignale built only 14 examples of the 250 MM Spyder.

The first racing victory came at the Del Monte Trophy, Pebble Beach in the category for Sports over 1500 cc, where Phil Hill drove his Spyder to the first place overall.

1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta by Pinin Farina

Pinin Farina presented the Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta by Pinin Farina at the 1953 Paris Motor Show and built just 17 examples between 1953 and 1954. The Ferrari 250 MM continued to be competitive, scoring victories in the United States, South America and Europe. Its racing career lasted unusually long, till 1962. It was derived from the Ferrari 250 Sport.

1953 Ferrari 250 MM Vignale Coupé

Photo: Michael Kliebenstein

Vignale built a one-off bodywork chassis 0344MM with the underpinnings of the Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta. It was specially ordered by Swiss racing driver Karl Lanz and he entered it in the 1954 Liége-Rome-Liége Rally with Sägesser as his co-driver. After driving non-stop for over 3,500 km (2,175 miles) they managed to take an in-class victory.

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa

After the two race cars, Ferrari introduced the 250 Europa at the 1953 Paris Motor Show as the first road-going model to wear the 250 designation. Although this car wore the 250 name, it featured a Lampredi V12 engine as oppose to the regular Colombo V12 engine and it shared the wheelbase with the Ferrari 375 America, namely 2,800 mm. There were only 21 cars built, with bodywork from Pinin Farina (17 coupes) and Vignale (4 coupes).

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Cabriolet

Photo: Forza Magazine

Even rarer than its coupe counterpart, was the 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Cabriolet with only 2 examples built, 1 from Pinin Farina and one from Vignale.

1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Series I

This was a large turning point for Ferrari. Introduced at the 1954 Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari 250 Europa GT Series 1 became the first road-going 250. It was seen as a road-going version of the Ferrari 250 MM and it was the first Ferrari to feature the GT-moniker in their name. However, up to this point all of the previous grand-touring models produced by Ferrari were offered as semi-race cars that could also be driven on the road. The 250 Europa GT was the first Ferrari targeted at the elite clientele who were looking for a more comfortable ride.

Only 18 cars were built, with 15 by Pinin Farina and 3 by Vignale; just 2 were powered by the Colombo V12, while the remaining 16 were equipped with a Lampredi engine.

1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Series II

Photo: Stephan Bauer

The 250 Europa GT was slightly updated later in the year with a total of 44 cars produced, this time all powered by the Colombo V12-engine.

1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Berlinetta Speciale

Several lightweight aluminium cars were built by Ferrari between 1954 and 1955 for competition. Only four were reportedly built, with 0369GT, 0383GT and 0385GT receiving quite similar bodywork by Pinin Farina. Car 0393GT received a different and more streamlined body work and was set to race in the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans, but drivers Michel Dubonnet and Maurice Trintignant failed to arrive.

1954 Ferrari 250 Monza

Photo: Ultimatecarpage.com

The 1954 Ferrari 250 Monza was a unique model, combining the engine of the Ferrari 250 MM with the short chassis of the 750 Monza. Only four were produced, featuring bodywork by Pinin Farina and Scaglietti, but they unfortunately never achieved racing success.

1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Competizione

Ferrari produced just three 250 Europa GT Competizione models: 0403GT, 0415GT and 0425GT. The latter car was designed by Scaglietti and featured 14 louvres on both sides above the rear wheels. These are regarded as the prototype for the widely loved 250 GT Tour de France models.

1955 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé by Boano

Photo: Max Lammers

At this point in time Ferrari and Pinin Farina had a great relationship as the coach builder designed and produced most of the bodies. With the arrival of the Ferrari 250 GT Coupé, which would increase production numbers, Pinin Farina had to relocate to a larger facility. Carrozzeria Boano acted as subcontractor whilst the new factory of Pinin Farina was in construction.

Boano coupés can be recognized by having a single straight strip running through the length of the car. 64 examples were made by Boano.

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ Series I

Photo: Patrick Ernzen

Nicknamed the ‘Tour de France’ due to its successes at the Tour de France automobile race, the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Long Wheelbase Berlinetta’ was first introduced by Scaglietti at the 1956 Geneva Motor Show. This prototype was a ‘no-louvre’ car and 14 units were built.

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ Series II

The Series II can be distinguished by having 14-louvres and only 9 units were produced. Chassis 0585GT was featured in the Walt Disney Movie "The Love Bug” co-starring Herbie.

1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB ‘Tour de France’ by Zagato

Photo: Ultimatecarpage.com

With just 5 examples built, the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ by Zagato is one of the most desirable competition cars by Ferrari ever. Zagato used the 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ chassis as base and three of the cars received the famous ‘double-bubble’ roof design.

1956 Ferrari 250 GT b.Genève Cabriolet by Boano

Photo: Carrozzieri Italiani

Penned by Felice Mario Boano, known for his flamboyant Chrysler designs, the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT b.Genève Cabriolet featured unique (American) design features such as curved tail fins and large chrome bumpers. This car - 0461GT - was first shown at the 1956 Geneva Motor Show. Renowned car collector Robert M. Lee noticed the car at the New York Auto Show of that year. After much discussion with Luigi Chinetti, and approval from Enzo Ferrari himself, he eventually acquired the car, and it has remained in his family ever since.

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Speciale by Pinin Farina

Chassis’ 0725GT (sold new to Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands), 0751GT (sold new to Princess Lilian, Princess of Réthy of Belgium), 0463GT (sold new to John von Neumann), 0465GT (sold new to Ing. Emanuele Nasi, Fiat director at the time), 0467GT (sold new to Fernando Galvao from Lisbon) and 0469GT (sold new to King Mohammed V of Morocco) received a special one-off bodywork from Pinin Farina, each unique in their own way.

1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ Series III

The third generation of the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ featured three louvres and covered headlights with only 17 units produced.

1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé by Ellena

Photo: Hagerty

Founder of Boano, Felice Mario Boano, started working for Fiat Centro Sile in 1957 and eventually couldn’t combine this new job with his own company. His son in law, Ezio Ellena, founded his own coach building company with Boano’s old employees and produced the remaining 250 GT Coupé cars. Eight cars were similar to Boano cars in the beginning, but they later added subtle touches of their owns such as a raised roofline, the absence of indicators on the side screens, a normal gear shift pattern and larger brakes. In the end, there were 49 Ellena-built cars.

1957 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina Series I

Photo: Ferrari

The Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina, produced from July 1957 to the end of 1962, holds a special place with Ferrari’s as the first mass-produced cabriolet. Despite its "mass-produced" label, only 40 cars of the Series I cars were assembled. Ferrari marketed this car as comfortable, refined, and luxurious rather than sporty, agile and ‘spartan’.

Initially developed from the 250 GT Boano/Ellena, the 250 GT Cabriolet PF later shared its foundation with the 250 GT Berlinetta "TdF" and the 250 GT California Spyder. The 250 GT Cabriolet is easily recognisable by its distinctive design features. Early models showcased two prominent vertical bumpers flanking the grille and two long-range headlamps positioned in front of the grille. In 1958, these headlamps were relocated behind the grille, adding to its sleek appearance.

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is one of the most famous models in the Ferrari 250 lineup. In its various iterations, it achieved notable victories, including three wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and two wins at the 1000 km of Buenos Aires, as well as victories at the 1958 Targa Florio and the 1961 4 Hours of Pescara.

In addition to sharing characteristics with other Ferrari 250 models, the Testa Rossa is also related to the Ferrari 500 TR and 500 TRC. Only 33 examples of the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa were produced between 1957 and 1962, including the TR/59, TR/60, TRI/60, and TRI/61 versions.

1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Speciale

Photo: Ralph Colmar

Only four examples of the 250 GT Coupé Speciale were made: 0463GT, 0465GT, 0467GT, and 0469GT. Ferrari used a 410 Superamerica-style body, shortening the wheelbase from 2,800 mm to 2,600 mm. Due to the high level of customization, each car featured unique elements such as special gauges, a telescopic-adjusted steering wheel, and custom bolstered seats. Specifications could also include twin fuel tanks with twin fillers and a custom side window crank.

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupé

The Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Pinin Farina was built by Ferrari from 1958 to 1960 and features a brand new body, but virtually identical mechanical layout. The subcontract for Boano and Ellena ended in 1958 and Pinin Farina was back on track at their new production facility.

It was the first semi-series produced Ferrari model to date with 353 units produced. The car’s body was more simple to produce and less tailored than all of the Ferrari 250 models that went before.

As priced dropped on the second-hand market, it became more interesting for coach builders to experiment with this chassis and design their own bodies. Chassis 0977GT was rebodied by Drogo and resembles a Ferrari 275 GTB. Chassis 1717GT was also redone by Drogo after the car had a crash and now resembles a mix between a 275 GTB and 250 GTO. One of the craziest conversions was done by Tom Meade, who took chassis 1065GT, made it unrecognisable and dubbed it ‘Thomassima III’. Chassis 1393GT was rebodied by Fantuzzi to look like a 250 Testa Rossa.

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupé Speciale

Ferrari wouldn’t be Ferrari if some elite clients would get a special treatment. There were three Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupé Speciale cars; 0853GT, 1187GT and 1715GT. They all had unique details like different tail lights, more windows, covered headlamps, side fender vents and smaller bumpers.

1958 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider ‘LWB’ (steel)

You might assume that American Ferrari representatives like Jon von Neumann in California and Luigi Chinetti in New York would be satisfied with the 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina. However, that was far from the case. They believed there was a market for a more aggressive convertible, a niche not adequately filled by the luxurious 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina. Initially, Enzo Ferrari was reluctant to produce a sportier version of the car for the American market. However, he eventually conceded, leading to the creation of the 250 GT California Spider, specifically targeted at American customers.

This model was built on the long chassis of the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta "Tour de France," featuring a wheelbase of 2.60 meters. Produced between 1958 and 1959, a total of 41 long-wheelbase (LWB) California Spiders with a steel body were made before the short-wheelbase (SWB) version took over in 1960. This model bridged the gap between luxury and sportiness, fulfilling the demand for a more aggressive Ferrari convertible in the United States.

1958 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider ‘LWB’ (aluminum)

In addition to the regular production steel cars, Ferrari produced nine aluminum cars intended for racing. These proved very successful, with 1451GT finishing 3rd in class and 5th overall at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. These competition California Spiders were equipped with numerous racing features, including high-lift camshafts, competition carburetors, and larger fuel tanks.

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina Series II

First unveiled in July 1959, the Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina Series II was an updated version of its predecessor, initially introduced in 1957. Despite being the most expensive iteration of the Ferrari 250 GT at the time, Ferrari successfully sold about 212 units. 

This increase in production was facilitated by the relocation of Pinin Farina's production facilities to a new, larger, and more modern plant in Grugliasco, a province of Turin. Additionally, Ferrari installed a new elevated assembly line in their factory, streamlining the manufacturing process. 

Several design updates distinguished the Series II from the Series I. The low-beam headlamps of the earlier model were replaced with conventional headlights due to a change in Italian legislation. The windshield was redesigned to be higher and less sloping, and the side windows were made larger. These changes not only enhanced the car's aesthetics but also improved passenger comfort. The rear passenger area was given more space, and the boot volume, already generous, was further increased to accommodate more luggage for two passengers.

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta “Interim” LWB

Photo: Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

To build on the racing successes of the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ Series, Enzo Ferrari aimed to innovate with a shorter, sleeker, and more technologically advanced version of the car. The result was the creation of the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta “Interim” LWB, of which only seven units were made. The Interim name was added later, in order to differentiate it with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta that would be introduced later in the year. These rare models, identified by their chassis numbers (1377GT, 1461GT, 1465GT, 1509GT, 1519GT, 1521GT, and 1523GT), combined the long-wheelbase chassis with a Pinin Farina bodywork that would later develop into the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta. Distinctive features of the Interim models included an additional rear quarter window as well as simply being a longer car. Notably, chassis 1523GT clinched victory at the 1959 Tour de France Automobile, driven by Olivier Gendebien and Lucien Bianchi, continuing Ferrari's dominance at this prestigious event.

1959 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta

Photo: Joe Macari

Just three months after introducing the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta “Interim” LWB, the Prancing Horse unveiled the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta at the Paris Motor Show. This model became one of the most famous and collectible in the Ferrari 250 range, with only 176 examples built in either road or race trim. The first few road models featured an aluminum body, a material later reserved for the racing versions.

Ferrari won the Tour de France Automobile in 1960, 1961, and 1962 with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, continuing the successes of the 250 GT Berlinetta “Tour de France” and 250 GT Berlinetta “Interim”. Furthermore, this model won the Tourist Trophy at Goodwood in 1960 and 1961, the GT category at Le Mans in 1960 and 1961 and the Nürburgring 1000 km in 1961 and 1962. Throughout the production (1960-1962) minor changes were made to the design, like the shape of the door windows, the relocation of the fuel filler cap or improved cooling ducts.

In total, Ferrari produced 90 steel-body cars and 75 aluminum-body cars.

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ Series IV

Back to the ‘Tour de France’ models and more specifically the Series IV cars. These had a single vent louvre and were the highest production ‘Tour de France’ generation with 36 units produced.

1960 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder ‘SWB’

Photo: Gooding & Company

To enhance the 1957 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder ‘LWB’, Ferrari opted to replace its underpinnings with a chassis that was 20 cm shorter. Although this car was not initially intended for racing, it quickly proved its competitiveness, leading to a class win at Sebring in 1959 and a 5th overall finish at Le Mans a few months later.

Ferrari produced 51 steel-body cars and only 3 aluminum-body (competition) cars.

Notable owners included James Coburn, Brigitte Bardot, Johnny Hallyday, and the Aga Khan, among others. These highly sought-after Ferraris were often customized by the factory to meet the specific desires of their owners, featuring race-type engines, unique details, and lightweight materials.

1960 Ferrari 250 2+2 'GTE'

The 1960 Ferrari 250 2+2 also known at the 250 GTE, was the first four-seater Ferrari to be produced on a large scale, with 957 examples built. The last 50 cars built were fitted with the 4-litre V12 engine from the 330 America. The car made was shown for the first time at the 1960 Le Mans 24 hours, were it functioned as the course car. Pininfarina used the 2,600 mm wheel base with a large rear overhang to provide enough room for the rear passengers.

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB by Bertone

Photo: Steve Sexton

Bertone produced two different designs with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta underpinnings. The first one came in 1960 (chassis 1739GT, pictured) and another in 1961 (chassis 3269GT). They both featured sharper styling than the flowing lines of the Pininfarina-designed body.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Prototype Sperimentale

Two Ferrari 250 GT SWB Prototype Sperimentale examples were made using the SWB underpinnings: 2429GT and 2643GT. The latter saw competition time at the Le Mans 24 hours (1961 and 1962), Daytona Continental 3 hours and Sebring 12 hours with drivers like Stirling Moss and Ed Hugus behind the wheel.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Series I

Photo: Max Lammers

Introduced in 1962, the Ferrari 250 GTO is the most famous of all Ferrari 250 models. Built specifically for the FIA Group 3 Grand Touring Car category, it made its racing debut at the 1962 12 Hours of Sebring, finishing second overall behind a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. Ferrari went on to win the over 2000cc class of the FIA's International Championship for GT Manufacturers in 1962, 1963, and 1964, with the 250 GTO racing each of those years.

Chassis 0523GT - a 250 Europa GT chassis - was reportedly used as a prototype of the 250 GTO. In the end Enzo Ferrari ordered the car to be destroyed as a result of 'The Great Walkout' by the end of 1961.

Ferrari built 33 examples of the 250 GTO, of which three were fitted with with a 4.0-liter V12 engine from the 330. 

1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso

Photo: Ferrari

Shown for the very first time at the 1962 Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso replaced the outgoing 250 GT models. The car had a ‘fastback’ body with the roofline connected to the rear of the car. As the model was more comfortable than the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, but sportier than the 250 GT 2+2, Ferrari filled a void with the arrival of the Lusso. But, as is a recurring trend with the Ferrari 250 models, customers found the Lusso good enough to go racing. And that is exactly what they did at event like Targa Florio, Tour de France and Le Mans. The 250 GT Lusso would be the last produced of the Ferrari 250 models and was succeeded by the Ferrari 275 in 1964.

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan

Developed by Automobili Turismo e Sport (ATS), the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan is a must-mention on this list. In 1962, Giotto Bizzarrini was hired by Count Giovanni Volpi, owner of the Scuderia Serenissima racing team, to upgrade a Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB to compete with the Ferrari 250 GTO. Enzo Ferrari had refused to sell a 250 GTO to Volpi because he had hired former Ferrari employees at ATS, which was formed by Carlo Chiti and Bizzarrini after ‘The Great Walkout’ in 1961.

Volpi, unable to obtain a 250 GTO, acquired 250 GT Berlinetta SWB 2819GT from Olivier Gendebien, who had driven it to a second-place finish at the 1961 Tour de France Automobile with Lucien Bianchi. Ideas that Bizzarrini had during the building of the 250 GTO were applied, collaborating with body specialist Piero Drogo to create an aerodynamically advanced body, lower than the GTO’s, resulting in a shooting-brake appearance nicknamed "La Camionnette" (little truck) by the French and "Breadvan" by the British. He moved the engine and radiator further back and lowered the car by fitting a dry sump system, making it 65 kg (143.3 lb) lighter than the 250 GTO.

The Breadvan debuted at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, quickly passing all Ferrari 250 GTOs before a driveshaft failure caused its retirement while it was 7th overall. Despite this, it achieved success by winning the GT Class at the 1962 Guards Trophy at Brands Hatch and the 1962 Ollon-Villars Hillclimb.

1963 Ferrari 250 P 

Another highly successful Ferrari 250 race car was the 250 P, with "P" standing for Prototype. It was indeed a groundbreaking prototype, being the first Ferrari sports racing car to mount a V12 engine in the rear. The 250 P achieved immediate success, winning the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring, 1000 km Nürburgring, and the Canadian Grand Prix. Unfortunately, no original Ferrari 250 P models exist today, as all four produced were converted into 275 P or 330 P racing cars.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM

The Ferrari 250 LM (for Le Mans) was essentially a 250 P with a roof, intended to replace the outgoing 250 GTO as the top GT-class racer. However, too few were built to qualify for that class, so FIA concluded it had to compete in the Prototype class, achieving notable success, including a victory at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans. Initially, the 250 LM featured a 3.0 L V12 engine, but Ferrari soon upgraded it to a 3.3 L V12. To boost sales, Ferrari built a handful of 250 LM Stradale cars, with one currently on display at the Maranello Ferrari Museum.

1964 Ferrari 250 GTO Series II

As FIA refused to have the 250 LM compete in the GT-class, Mauro Forghieri and Mike Parkes were tasked with redesigning the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. This became known as the Series II 250 GTO, with three cars produced from ground up and four earlier Series I 250 GTOs retrofitted to it by the factory. It proved to be successful, as NART took the overall win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1964 with Phil Hill and Pedro Rodriguez behind the wheel.

1968 Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta Speciale

Photo: Ferrari

Ferrari last used the '250' designation in 1968. Pininfarina crafted a futuristic-looking, rear-engine car based on the Ferrari 212 E Montagna 0862 chassis. It was given this designation because it featured the same 3.0-liter V12 engine used in all Ferrari 250 models. The car boasted a sleek, curved front end with a narrow opening for the radiator, and a bank of headlights seamlessly integrated into the bonnet.

Enclosing the front wheels were pontoon-style covers whilst the upper body was dominated by a mostly transparent teardrop canopy with gullwing doors. Inside, the design was minimalistic, featuring only two seats and basic driving controls, with headrests incorporated into the firewall that separated the cockpit from the engine bay.

That wraps up our overview of all the Ferrari 250 models. If you could choose one road car and one competition car, which would you pick? Share your thoughts in the comments below!