Ferrari 250 Europa GT

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 250 Europa GT was introduced in late 1954 as a continuation of Ferrari’s 250 series and represented a transition from the earlier 250 Europa. It retained the designation of a high-performance grand touring car and was presented publicly at the 1954 Paris Motor Show. While bearing visual resemblance to its predecessor, the 250 Europa GT featured several mechanical and dimensional changes. The most notable revision was the adoption of a short-block 3.0-litre Colombo-designed V12 engine, replacing the long-block Lampredi unit used in the 250 Europa. This engine had previously been employed in Ferrari’s racing applications and became the foundation of the 250 GT series that followed. The chassis employed was designated as type 508 and had a wheelbase of 2,600 mm, shorter than the Europa. This permitted a more compact body layout while maintaining interior proportions. Pinin Farina was responsible for the majority of the bodywork, although a small number of chassis were bodied by alternative coachbuilders. Approximately 34 units were produced between 1954 and 1956. Several chassis are individually documented. Chassis 0357GT, the first Europa GT, appeared at the 1954 Paris Salon and featured aluminium construction. Chassis 0377GT was delivered in early 1955 through Luigi Chinetti Motors to Jan de Vroom. Chassis 0405GT was completed in August 1955, shown at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, and later exported to the United States where it passed through multiple collectors. Chassis 0419GT was used in competition, including events involving Olivier Gendebien and Olivier Swaters, and was later restored and certified. Chassis 0427GT marked the end of production and was retained in largely original condition by subsequent owners. The Europa GT was built in both steel and aluminium and retained a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Braking was handled by drums at all four wheels. A single open-top version is believed to have been produced as a one-off. The model is regarded as the link between Ferrari’s early custom-bodied touring cars and the more standardized 250 GT production series that followed. Its mechanical layout and styling influenced all subsequent developments within the 250 series.