Almost 55 years since it was built, an exceptional car with an outstanding track record is about to be auctioned. Its anticipated price tag matches its distinguished history.
A 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France Berlinetta is soon to go up for auction in London this month. Whilst the car is an impeccable jewel in the history of this exemplary marque, it is a particularly stellar example.
The car was always destined to be a rare beauty. One of only 36 flawlessly crafted by Ferrari, it is blessed with a rich scarlet and black two-tone livery on top of alloy coachwork designed by Pininfarina embellished by the hands of Scaglietti. An early air inlet on the bonnet, side gills, and fins at the rear endorse the bloodline. It looks every bit as if it would be equally at home in a Bond movie of the Sean Connery era, or delivering divas of the screen to glittering premières, as on the race tracks of San Marino or Silverstone.
However chassis number 0557GT is more than just a splendid pearl in the eye of the beholder. The marvel of its immaculate body is eclipsed only by its racing history. The car won the first ever Tour de France extreme motor rally.
The 250 GT long-wheelbase Berlinetta started life on the drawing board as a dual-purpose race and road car, when both rules of the road and track allowed such latitude. This laid the foundation for the agility of the 250 GT SWB to be created and of course the legendary 250 GT to be born which went on to dominate the European racing scene of the era. The car features an early edition of the inexhaustible Colombo-designed 3.0 litre V12 engine. Built to Tipo 128D specifications, this means that it was bred for the circuit with competition levels of increased compression, Weber carburettors, and Borgo pistons. As a result it produced 247 metric hp, and 260 lb-ft of torque, which was practically unheard of in its day. The upshot of such breeding shone through in the track record it accumulated.
The model earned its TdF badge after recurring podium finishes at the Tour de France. Long before extreme sports became well known for their endurance and almost before rallies crossed continents, the Tour de France pitted car and driver against other teams in an event which included a drag race, two hill-climbs and six circuit races. The car in question however won the event in its first attempt, and followed on with three more and successive victories. It repeated its prowess across Europe in its day, taking the laurels in many races.
Given the recent upsurge in vintage Ferraris with more than the usual pedigree in their history, this car is expected to go under the hammer for around £2m.
Like this one, Ferrari certainly has bred many cars which have won on the race track and rally circuits. Conversely they have integrated what they have learnt from these victories into their cars. One such car, which can yield an insight into the racing heritage of the 250 GT is the 458 Italia Coupé, available on self-drive hire. Apart from the 7-speed Formula 1 dual-clutch gearbox, the car’s design was enhanced by Pininfarina, with input from Michael Schumacher. With such experts involved, it is likely that your short-term hire is nothing less than flawless.