1961 Ferrari 250GT Cabriolet Series II

Probably the most comprehensive range of any Ferrari type was the 250 series, with every derivation imaginable, from racing cars such as the LM, GTO and Testa Rossa to the civilized 2+2 Coupe. All of these models, though diverse in application, shared a basically similar engine, the magnificent 3-liter single-overhead-cam V12 designed by Gioachino Colombo. Cars fitted with versions of this engine probably won more races for Ferrari than any other type.

The 250GT Cabriolet was launched in 1959 and was intended to provide an open-topped production Ferrari that was clearly more road car than racecar. Up until that time the 250 California Spyder represented the only choice customers had for such a car, but that car was directly descended from the Tour de France competition berlinetta and was not genteel enough.

A year earlier the 250GT Pininfarina Coupe had been shown and it was this design that was adopted for the new cabriolet. Ferrari deliberately...