250 Ferrari GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta

The Paris Salon in 1959 saw the introduction of a Ferrari 250GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta, a direct development of the Long Wheel Base car known as the Tour de France. Built on the 94.5-inch wheel base chassis powered by the classic three-liter V12 engine, the new and exciting Gran Tourismo car was destined for many racing successes.

Perhaps more than any other Ferrari, before or since, here was a car equally at home on a race track or a boulevard. A quick change of plugs, racing tires and a roll bar and the Ferrari 250SWB could contest its class at Le Mans, Daytona or Sebring, win the Tourist Trophy at Goodwood, the Tour de France and 1000 km at Montlhery.

The 250GTs made between 1959 and 1964 were one of Ferrari’s most prolific cars of the period. They had multi-tube chassis frames, independently sprung at the front, but with a live axle on half-elliptic springs at the rear. It was equipped with a variety of bodies, by which Ferrari graduated...