Ferrari 250 GTO 1962 - 1964 History
Developed from Ferrari's first line of genuine production sports cars, the 250 series, the 250 GTO is probably the model that defined a whole new generation of sports racing cars. Some would say a beautiful car others would say striking. For me it is both beautiful and striking. Built in aluminum by Scagliette, it typified the long hood short rear of classic sports racers. It also introduced the famous 'Kamm Tail', the flat rear, to aid aerodynamic efficiency by reducing turbulence behind the car, to the Ferrari marque
The engine, derived from the Colombo 250 GT 60-degree three litre SOHC V12 up rated to Testa Rossa specification featured 6 downdraft twin barrel Weber Cars producing 300 bhp at 7500 rpm. An all syncromesh 5 speed gearbox was provided to make the best of the engines performance. Designed to win races, it featured disc brakes all round and a tried and tested tubular chassis with double wishbones and coils in front, with a live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the raer. The person responsible for all this was Sig. Giotto Bizzarrini, one of the all time great figures in automotive development.
Introduced in 1962, the 250 GTO continued in production until 1964. The final few GTO's were produced with a slightly different body style as per the Jouef/Creative Masters model Ferrari 250 GTO 1964. The price when new was $18,000. As only a total of 39 examples were produced of which it is believed only 37 remain, it is not surprising that prices now average $3,000,000 and have been known to reach $15,000,000 at auction in 1997.
Amongst its competition victories, the 250 GTO can number the 1963 Tour de France, 1st in class Le Mans 1962, Ist in class Nurburgring 1963, and the 1962 and 1963 Tourist Trophies.
In action , the racing version at Goodwood 1998 "Driven by Damen Hill"
Specification
Ferrari 250 GTO
Ferrari GTO
- Make Ferrari
- Model GTO
- Year 1964
Body and Dimensions
- Body Type 2S FHC (7)
- Number of doors 2
- Drag Coefficient N/A
- Frontal Area N/Am sq
- CdA N/A
- Wheel base N/A mm in
- Front Track N/A mm in
- Rear Track N/A mm in
- Length 4209 mm 165.7 in
- Width 1750 mm 68.9 in
- Height 1138 mm 44.8 in
- Ground Clearance N/A
- Weight 878 kg 1936 lb
- Weight distribution (Front) N/A %
- Fuel tank capacity N/A litres
Performance
- 0-50 mph N/A
- 0-60 mph 6.1
- 0-100 km/h N/A
- 0-100 mph 13.1
- 50-70 mph in top N/A
- Standing quarter-mile 13.5
- Standing kilometre N/A
- Maximum Speed 254 kmh
Engine Specifications
- Engine manufacturer Ferrari
- Engine Position F
- Engine alignment N/A
- Bore 73.0 mm
- Stroke 58.8 mm
- Cylinders 12-V
- Valve Gear SOHC
- Valves per Cylinder 2
- Volume 2953 cc
- Main crankshaft bearings N/A
- Coolant W
- Compression Ratio 9.8:1
- Fuel System 6 Weber carbs
- Maximum bhp 300 224 kW
- Power Peak 7700 rpm
- Output standard N/A
- Maximum Torque (Nm) N/A
- Torque Peak N/A rpm
- Catalytic converter N
- Aspiration Normal
- Compressor type N/A
- Intercooler None
- Power-weight ratio 255.13
- bhp/Litre 101.59
- bhp/ton 341.69