Today we review the incredible history of the Ferrari 250 GTO, the Ferrari diamond and one of the most expensive cars sold at auction.
To think of Ferrari is to think of its cars created throughout its more than 70-year history. Many are the ones that will come to mind, such as the Ferrari F40 or the Ferrari Enzo (which is why it bears the name of the founder of the company), but if you stop to reflect a little on which is the most iconic model of the Italian brand, surely you think of the Ferrari 250 GTO.
Today we are going to make a brief review throughout the incredible history of the Ferrari 250 GTO, a car born for racing, created by Enzo with the sole objective of showing the world that it was and would continue to be the most important car manufacturer in the world. . The 250 GTO arrived in 1962 and ceased to be manufactured in 1964, with a very limited production and an unbeatable sporting record.
The incredible story of the Ferrari 250 GTO: the Ferrari diamond
Between 1953 and 1961, Ferrari dominated the championship endurance races, winning 7 of the 9 seasons. This caused that the FIA was not entirely satisfied with the interest that its races aroused in the public, so it decided to give the championship more show by creating a new category, that of the GT.
In order for manufacturers to enter their cars in this GT category, they had to be able to market 100 street cars on which the racing model would be based. This made things difficult for Ferrari, but ‘Il Commendatore’ made use of his ingenuity to try to turn around such an unfavorable scenario.
Enzo commissioned the development of a new car for the GT category with the aim of continuing to dominate the Constructors’ Championship. He put Giotto Bizzarrini at the head of the project and they took the short-wheelbase Ferrari 250 GT as a base, a model with which they could meet the requirement of 100 street units.
The 1791 GT chassis was the basis on which they began to work to create a light, powerful and dynamic sports car. Pininfarina was the one who had to design the bodywork, a bodywork that had to be much better aerodynamically.
The first design, which was very similar to that of the Ferrari 400 SuperAmerica, did not convince Bizzarrini. For this reason, the decision was made to adopt a Zagato design, characterized by a cut rear and a small spoiler that gave greater downforce on the rear wheels, something that was key for the long straights of Le Mans.
Considered an evolution of the Ferrari 250 SWB, the Ferrari 250 GTO was already ready at the level of design and aerodynamics. For the engine, engineers opted for the 3.0-litre Colombo V12 used in the 250 Testa Rossa, which featured six Weber carburettors and an output of 300bhp sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.
Competition dominance and exclusive collector’s item
The final product was presented in 1962 and the FIA accepted the 250 GT SWB as the road version of the 250 GTO, so it was homologated for racing. And the results in the GT category were immediate.
At the 1962 Sebring 12 Hours, the 250 GTO won its class and took second place overall. He also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1962 and 1963, the 1,000km Nürburgring in 1963 and 1964, the Tour de France in 196 and 1964, and the Targa Florio in 1962, 1963 and 1964.
With this overwhelming dominance, Ferrari managed to win the FIA Constructors’ World Championship, a blow of authority that once again made it the best car manufacturer in the world. It would not be until the arrival of Henry Ford II and the Ford GT40 that the Italian firm was dethroned at Le Mans between 1966 and 1969, before Porsche appeared and became the new winner.
In total, 39 units of the Ferrari 250 GTO were assembled between the first and second phases (plus some conversion). It is currently one of the most expensive cars sold at auction, with a record price of €45 million achieved in 2018. It is second only to the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé which sold for €135 million.
