By the early 1960s, road-car production had ceased to be a sideline for Ferrari and was seen as vitally important to the company’s future stability. Thus the 250, Ferrari’s first volume-produced model, can be seen as critically important, though production of the first of the line – the 250 Europa, built from 1953 to 1954 — amounted to fewer than 20.
The early evolution of the 250 series coincided with an important stage in the development of the 3-liter Ferrari V12. A re-jigged (68-by-68-mm bore/stroke) version of the 340 America’s Lampredi-designed “long block” engine had been chosen for the 250 Europa, but with the introduction of the 250 Europa GT in 1954, a change was made to Colombo’s lighter and more-compact short-stroke (73-by-58.8-mm) unit. Power output of the single-overhead-camshaft all-aluminum engine was 220 horsepower at 7,000 rpm.
The 250 GT Competizione “Tour de France” evolved from the preceding 250 Europa GT and competition Mille Miglia models, using the same 2,600-mm wheelbase as the former and the Colombo V12 engine developing up to 280 hp. Its suspension arrangements remained essentially as before, although a front anti-roll bar was included, for the first time in a Ferrari. Maranello had yet to be convinced of the desirability of disc brakes, so the 250 GT Competizione’s performance was restrained by massive drums.
On October 17, 2018, “1401GT” was issued with its Ferrari Classiche Certificate of Authenticity — the famous “Red Book.” Since then, the car has been displayed at the 10th Annual Zoute Concours d’Elegance held at Knokke-le-Zoute, Belgium, in October 2019 and the “Ferrari 75 Years” exhibition held at the Autoworld Museum, Brussels, Belgium, in September 2002.
By winning those nine consecutive Tours de France, the Ferrari 250 GT berlinetta demonstrated peerless qualities as a Gran Turismo, proving equally at home on city streets, the open road and the racetrack. A fine long-wheelbase example of this legendary dynasty, “1401GT” offers a future owner the prospect of hugely enjoyable period performance motoring and entry into the most prestigious of historic motorsports events, including the Ferrari Challenge, Mille Miglia and, of course, the Tour Auto.
