Ferrari 250 GT Competizione

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione, bodied by Scaglietti, is a seminal example of Ferrari’s dual-purpose gran turismo architecture developed during the late 1950s. Originating as an evolution of the 250 GT line, it was designed to meet the growing demand for a competition-capable car that remained road-legal and adaptable across a variety of endurance events. Built upon a tubular chassis designated tipo 508 C, it was fitted with the Colombo-derived 3.0-liter V12 engine, with triple Weber carburetors and dry sump lubrication in racing examples. This configuration offered both mechanical simplicity and high-revving durability, producing in excess of 240 horsepower depending on state of tune and individual setup. The series was bodied by Carrozzeria Scaglietti in lightweight aluminum, with the forms derived in part from Pinin Farina’s earlier Berlinetta design but executed with a purposeful minimalism suited to competition use. The bodies were hand-formed and individually fitted, resulting in subtle variations from car to car. Early examples—often referred to as “Tour de France” Berlinettas—featured distinctive side vents and a rearward cabin profile, optimizing stability and rear visibility for long-distance racing. Chassis 0707 GT, completed in 1957, is among the final fourteen-louver examples and was equipped with a 140-liter tank, optimized for endurance applications. It was delivered new to Marquis de Portago, one of Ferrari’s factory-affiliated privateers. Chassis 1773 GT, constructed in 1959, was entered at the 12 Hours of Sebring by Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team, driven by George Arents and Alan Connell to a class podium finish. Chassis 2159 GT, delivered in 1961 to Gérard Spinedi of Geneva, competed across the Continent, earning numerous class victories in hill climbs and circuit races, including successful appearances in multiple Tour de France Automobile editions. The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione remains a cornerstone of the marque’s history, representing the fusion of engineering refinement and competitive intent. Its configuration, aesthetic economy, and proven race record rendered it a template for subsequent GT developments. Retained by discerning collectors, many of these chassis continue to appear in historic racing events, serving as enduring artifacts of Ferrari’s mid-century competitive philosophy.