250 Ferrari GTE

Launched in 1954, the 250 T featured a lighter and more compact Colombo-designed 3-liter V12 in place of its Europa predecessor’s Lampredi unit. The 250GT chassis followed Ferrari’s established practice, being a multi-tubular frame tied together by oval main tubes, however, the independent front suspension now employed coil springs instead of the transverse-leaf type. A four-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox transmitted power to the live rear axle, while braking was looked after by hydraulic drums all round. Late in 1959, disc brakes were added and a four-speed plus overdrive gearbox was added the following year.

The 250GT provided the basis for the first four-seater Ferrari, the 250GTE 2+2. The 250GTE was intended to extend Ferrari’s appeal to a sector of the market that was already contested by its rivals Aston Martin and Maserati. It debuted in the summer of 1960 and became the most commercially successful Ferrari of its...