THE SHORT-WHEELBASE

As was the case with Ferrari throughout the company’s early life, rolling changes would occur through a given model’s production cycle, rather than unveiling something “all-new” at every opportunity. Such was the case with the highly successful 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France (TdF), culminating in 1959 with a short series of seven cars with all-new bodywork penned by Pinin Farina and built by Scaglietti. Gone were the rear fenders and vented sail panels, which were now replaced with fenders integrated into the bodywork, a shorter front overhang and sloping windscreen, and a fastback tail.

Only seven TdFs were built to this style before Ferrari chose to formally differentiate and unveil a new 250 GT Berlinetta. First shown at the Paris Salon in October of 1959, this new car rode on a 2,400-mm wheelbase, 200-mm shorter than that of its predecessor. The bodywork and design of the aforementioned seven cars was appropriately shortened to fit neatly on the new chassis (leaving these seven cars to be retroactively referred to as the Interim Berlinettas).

However, the changes to this new car were far more than just a shortening in wheelbase and a slight redesign. Dunlop disc brakes were fitted to all four wheels, along with tubular shock absorbers from Miletto or Koni at the front. At its heart was Ferrari’s Tipo 168 engine, which featured the outside-plug, non-siamesed ported head that had proven effective on the Testa Rossas and California Spiders.

Configurable to the client’s requests and intended usage, as with the preceding TdFs, these new short-wheelbase berlinettas could be had in either street (lusso for luxury) or competition (competizione) specification, with the latter receiving all-aluminum coachwork and engines topped with competition-spec carburetors and revised camshaft profiles. Needless to say, it is no surprise that those cars destined for competition from the factory warrant a considerable premium over their more pedestrian brethren, thanks in part to the car’s success in racing in period. Race-prepared 250 GT SWBs clinched victories at the Tour de France from 1960–1962, as well as at the RAC Tourist Trophy races at Goodwood in 1960 and 1961.

CHASSIS NUMBER 2163 GT

Benefiting from recent cosmetic measures that have bolstered a prior engine rebuild, this beautifully presented 250 GT is an outstanding example of the rare and celebrated “Short-Wheelbase.” Chassis 2163 GT is one of 42 alloy-bodied examples built in 1960. Undergoing much of its build process during October 1960, the 250 GT was clothed in aluminum alloy coachwork by Scaglietti and finished in rosso chiaro, while the interior was trimmed with nero leather (a color combination the car retains today).

After a certificate of origin was issued on 8 August 1961, the SWB was sold on 22 August to its first owner, Vincenzo Malago, an official marque dealer in Rome who kept the berlinetta as a personal car for six months. In February 1962, the Ferrari was purchased by Bruno Zanetti of Casavatore, and he sold the car to Aldo Camnasio of Lissone (outside of Monza). In February 1963, the 250 GT was acquired by English enthusiast Robert McIntyre, commencing a chain of British ownership that continued in 1969 with Oliver Harris of Surrey.

During the 1970s the berlinetta was fitted with a fresh Tipo 168 engine originally from an extremely rare and more powerful 250 GT LWB California Spider Alloy Competizione. Notably, though the same type engine, 1615 GT was originally fitted with a competition camshaft and had a higher 9.5 compression. This engine was originally rated at 259 hp at 7,400 rpm.

Passing through the collections of David Walker and Roy Pearse in 1983, the car was fully restored by Hall & Fowler Engineering in Lincolnshire. The restored SWB was then featured in the January 1985 issue of Thoroughbred & Classic Cars before being sold later that year to Dan Margulies of London.

Later in 1985, this SWB berlinetta was sold to Stefano Durelli of Padova, Italy, and the car participated in a handful of vintage events over the following few years, including the AvD-Oldtimer-Grand Prixes at the Nürburgring in 1988, 1989, and 1991. The 250 GT also participated in the International Historic Race Festivals at Silverstone in July 1992 and 1993 (the latter of which included display at the British Ferrari Owners’ Club 25th Anniversary exhibition).

In March 1996 the SWB was purchased by Andrew Pisker of London, and he continued to enter the car in vintage events, including the International Historic Race Festival at Silverstone in July 1997 and the Tour Auto Historic in France in April 1999. Pisker also commissioned a full engine rebuild by the esteemed UK-based specialists, Hall & Hall. Additionally, the interior was refurbished with correct nero leather with complementary carpets.

Acquired by the consignor in July 2014, the 250 GT has since been fastidiously maintained and consistently corrected toward original standards. In 2016, the exterior was refinished in proper rosso chiaro paint and the dashboard was removed and refurbished with correct wrinkle finish, while the chassis was mechanically sorted as needed, including a full rebuild of the brakes.

Currently in a beautiful state of presentation that includes a meticulously detailed undercarriage and engine compartment, the SWB is notable for its high state of chassis and body originality, having experienced no accident damage or serious racing in period, in contrast to most Competizione examples, which have at some point incurred damage during racing.

An excellent show car that is mechanically poised to enjoy premium touring and track events, the SWB would require only a handful of corrections to approach platinum-level standards for club exhibition. The car is now equipped with a roll cage for safety during event use and is a perfect candidate for events like the Tour Auto or Le Mans Classic, should its next owner wish to take the car to the track rather than the concours lawn. Regardless of application, the rare alloy-bodied berlinetta would make an essential acquisition for any Ferrari enthusiast.