Fiat 250
Berlinetta
Ferrari 250 GT
FR-layout
3.0L V12
The Ferrari 250 GTO is a sports car made by Italian car manufacturer Ferrari. The car was designed in the early 60s and was intended to take part in several races. The number in the name stand for the contents of each cylindercc, GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato.
When the 250 GTO hit the market in 1962, it cost $ 18,000 in the United States. Personal consent of Enzo Ferrari, founder and director, was also required before acquiring could be passed over. In 1962/1963 36 cars were produced. In 1964, a second series was revealed, it was only in its appearance has been slightly modified compared to the original. This second edition, only three examples were built, in addition, four original copies converted to the newer model.
In 2004 the American magazine Sports Car International placed the 250 GTO at the top of the list of "Best sports cars of the sixties." Motor Trend Classic, also an American magazine named the 250 GTO "Best Ferrari ever."
The 250 GTO was originally designed to take part in GT races. Noteworthy is that the Ferrari car seems to have the usual way. Intended In the sixties it was common for Ferrari racing cars to give as a chassis number and "normal" cars odd numbers. The 250 GTO’s got an odd chassis number. The car was based on the 250 GT SWB. Head of the technical department, Giotto Bizzarrini, placed the 3.0L V12 engine from the 250 Testa Rossa the chassis of the 250 GT SWB and worked with designer Sergio Scaglietti to design. bodywork After Bizzarrini was fired Mauro Forghieri worked on with Scaglietti. Unlike most Ferrari 250 GTO is not designed by a specific individual or design.
The rest of the car was typical of a Ferrari from the early 60s: hand-welded tube frame, A-shaped front suspension, active rear disc brakes and Borrani wire wheels. The five-speed gearbox was new to Ferrari racing cars, the metal plate that the shift pattern showed in the car to this day used in production models. The interior was very limited, even a speedometer was missing. Many buttons and levers came from a Fiat 500 and it is rumored that the car rushed into production has gone and the original seats are made of overalls of the workers.
The rules imposed by the FIA ​​state that a car must be able to participate in the GT championship. Produced at least 100 times There are only 39 250 GTOs were constructed. Nevertheless, due to unknown reasons, the car was still allowed in the championship. Enzo Ferrari does seem to have registered with the FIA ​​as an evolved 250 GT SWB (same chassis), so that the production volume of 100 copies has been reached for the 250 GTO homologation.
The car made its debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1962 and was driven by American Phil Hill, reigning Formula 1 world champion, and the Belgian driver Olivier Gendebien. Although they were initially annoyed that she drove a car in the GT class instead of a racing version of the Testarossa in the Prototype class she surprised herself and finishing. Audience through second overall
The 250 GTO was the last car with front engine which is able to maintain the top of the GT racing. This format would quickly disappear and emerge only at historic car races.
In the seventies and 80 many classic cars rose in value and the Ferrari 250 GTO, named as the Ferrari that most shows the heart of the brand, was the most expensive of all.
According to an anonymous source in the Times brought confiscated by the FBI a GTO in 1988 at an auction at $ 2,000,000. In 1989, a peak in the sale of classic cars, a man from Japan bought a 250 GTO for $ 14.6 million. In 1991 the market was cooled and a 250 GTO was sold for $ 5.5 million in Las Vegas. In 2008, the English presenter bought a 250 GTO of the chairman of Samsung Electronics, a record amount of 15.7 million pounds or $28.500.000.
In recent years, prices for much needed Ferraris continue to rise. For example, an American billionaire at auction deposited $ 35 million for the Ferrari 250 GTO on May 31, 2012. The racing car was sold by Dutchman Eric Heerema. Who bought the car 10 years ago for $ 8.5 million. Heerema became wealthy with investments and currently has a vineyard in Britain, where he also woont.Recentelijk appeared in the press reported a 250GTO sold to 38 million, which amount would have set the record straight.
The Ferrari still has ridden in ’62 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That was like the last race in which the racing car came into action.
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