Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta LWB

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Ferrari
Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta 2nd series (Pininfarina)
Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta 2nd series (Pininfarina)
250 GT Berlinetta LWB
Production period: 1955-1959
Class : Sports car
Body versions : Coupe
Engines:
Otto engine : 3.0 liters (206–221 kW)
Length: 4400 mm
Width: 1650 mm
Height: 1280 mm
Wheelbase : 2600 mm
Empty weight : 1000-1050 kg
Previous model Ferrari 250MM
successor Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB

The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta LWB is a sports car from the Italian car manufacturer Ferrari , which was produced in small numbers from 1955 to 1959. The vehicle is also known as the 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France or Passo Lungo . It belongs to the Ferrari 250 model family and was the sporty addition to the 250 GT Boano / Ellena and 250 GT Coupé touring cars . The roadworthy Berlinetta was also successful at international motorsport events. Most of the bodies came from Pininfarina , some vehicles were superstructures from Zagato . The latter are sometimes referred to in the literature as the 250 GTZ Berlinetta .

background

After the end of the Second World War , the Modenese company Ferrari, whose beginnings lie in racing, expanded its activities to include the manufacture of street sports cars. At first only single pieces were created. In 1953 the model family 250, equipped with 3.0 liter twelve-cylinder engines, appeared. After the 250 Europa (1953) and the 250 GT Europa (1954) had only been produced in two-digit numbers, Ferrari reached Boano / Ellena for the first time with the 250 GT presented in 1955 (low) three-digit numbers, and Ferrari sold its successor 250 GT Coupé 350 times from 1958. Parallel to these pure street sports cars, Ferrari had, among other things, the competitive 250 MM in its program, whose chassis, like the very early Ferraris, had a front transverse leaf spring . After Ferrari had switched to front coil springs in road sports cars in 1954 with the introduction of the 250 GT Europa , the company followed this step in 1955 with the models suitable for competition: the 250 MM was discontinued and replaced by the 250 GT Berlinetta LWB, whose chassis corresponds to the the current street sports car was borrowed. Like its predecessor, it was a "universal Ferrari" that could be driven in traffic and in car races.

The 250 GT Berlinetta LWB stayed in the range for five years. During this time, four series were produced, which differed from one another optically and technically in details; there were also some special models with a Zagato body. In 1960 Ferrari replaced the 250 GT Berlinetta LWB with the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, which had a significantly shorter wheelbase. Between the 250 GT Berlinetta LWB and the later SWB lies a small series of interim models that served as development vehicles.

nomenclature

The official name of the vehicle is "Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta". The three-digit number identifies the model as belonging to the 250 series. This model designation refers to the engine's displacement, specifically to the volume of a single cylinder, which is around 250 cm³.

In retrospect, the company name is often followed by the letter combination LWB ( Long Wheelbase , German: long wheel base) to distinguish this model from its successor with a shorter wheel base. In the case of the successor, the model name is accordingly often supplemented by the combination SWB ( Short Wheelbase ). This coding was not official. In Italian, Passo Lungo and Passo Corto were sometimes used . The English-language terms have long been established in the international classic scene; Ferrari now also uses them.

Another additional designation is "Tour de France", with which the model produced until 1959 - but not the successor Berlinetta SWB - is often associated. It ties in with the Tour de France for automobiles and refers to its 1956 edition , which Alfonso de Portago and Edmont Nelson won in a 250 GT Berlinetta of the first series.

description

chassis

The chassis of the 250 GT Berlinetta bears the factory designation Tipo 508 . The basis is a frame made of oval steel tubes. As with the regular 250 GT, the wheelbase is 2600 mm. The front wheels are individually suspended on double wishbones , with coil springs, hydraulic Houdaille lever shock absorbers and a stabilizer . At the rear, the 250 GT has a rigid axle with two longitudinally arranged leaf springs, plus two trailing arms and Houdaille shock absorbers. Hydraulically operated drum brakes are installed on all four wheels .

Engine and drive

The drive is a variant of the short-block twelve-cylinder, which goes back to a design by Gioacchino Colombo from 1947 and which is also found in a similar form in the other models of the Ferrari 250 family. The version with the designation Tipo 128 is installed in the 250 GT Berlinetta , whereby the engines of the individual series differ from one another in details. In any case, the twelve-cylinder engine has a displacement of 2953 cm³ (bore × stroke: 73 × 58.8 mm). The cylinder bank angle is 60 degrees. Each bank of cylinders has an overhead camshaft driven by a chain. There is an inlet and an outlet valve for each cylinder. One of the special features of this type of engine is the positioning of the spark plugs inside the V that forms the two rows of cylinders. At 9.5: 1, the compression is slightly higher than that of the regular GT models (8.8: 1). The mixture preparation is done by three Weber twin carburettors of the 36DCL type. The engine has wet sump lubrication . The engine output ranged from 260 hp (191 kW) to 280 hp (206 kW) depending on the version. The four-speed transmission is fully synchronized. This is also where the 250 GT Berlinetta LWB differs from its predecessor, the 250 MM.

body

The superstructures of the 250 GT Berlinetta LWB are designed for the lowest possible total weight. The body of both the Pininfarina versions and Zagato's cars is made of sheet aluminum. The rear window is made of Perspex ; on some copies this also applies to the side glazing. In some cases, interior paneling of the doors and noise insulation in the interior were dispensed with. The weight of the Pininfarina versions is around 1050 kg dry or 1160 kg with a full tank; the versions of the Carrozzeria Zagato, which used thinner aluminum sheets, are again about 50 kg lighter.

Performance

In 1958, Motor Revue magazine determined the following performance with a Pininfarina Berlinetta of the third series with 250 hp (184 kW) and a rear axle reduction ratio of 4: 1:

Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta LWB Pininfarina (Series 3)
0-60 km / h 4.1 s (1st gear)
0-80 km / h 5.6 s (1st gear)
0-100 km / h 7.6 s (1st and 2nd gear)
0-120 km / h 9.4 s (1st and 2nd gear)
0-140 km / h 11.7 s (1st and 2nd gear)
0-160 km / h 15.0 s (1st to 3rd gear)
0-180 km / h 19.3 s (1st to 3rd gear)
0-200 km / h 26.3 s (1st to 4th gear)
Top speed 245 km / h

The Pininfarina models

From 1955 to 1959, around 77 copies of the 250 GT Berlinetta LWB were built with a body designed by Pininfarina. The cars were not assembled at Pininfarina, but at Carrozzeria Scaglietti . All versions have a distinctly long bonnet with curved fenders, each of which has a round headlight set into its front end. The positioning of the headlights varies. The cooler opening is oval. Some vehicles have additional headlights embedded there. There is a large barred ventilation opening on both sides between the wheel opening and the door. Behind the door, the roof slopes down to the trunk lid; there is no side window in the C-pillar. The rear fenders are profiled. Its upper edge runs horizontally up to the vertical rear lights. The basic shape of the body remained unchanged over the production period; However, there were repeated detailed modifications in the area of ​​the C-pillar and the headlights.

Series 1

Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Series 1

The first series of the Pininfarina models was created from 1955 to 1956. It comprises eight vehicles with chassis numbers 0503GT to 0619GT. In the cars of this series engines of the type 128B were installed. External distinguishing features are the forward sloping front fenders into which the round headlights are embedded, a rear panoramic window and a smoothly clad, narrow C-pillar without air outlets.

Series 2

The second series was made in 1956. It differs from the first series mainly in the redesign of the C-pillar. There is no longer a rear panoramic window. The C-pillar is fully clad and has 14 parallel openings of different sizes that are used to ventilate the interior. The hood now has an air scoop. The hood is completely removable. Instead of bumpers, only scarce chrome-plated horns are installed. The first vehicles of the second series are equipped with the Tipo 128B engine like their predecessors , but later vehicles have the Tipo 128C , which is more torque. Nine pieces were created from this series.

Series 3

Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Series 3

The third series was built in 1957. It initially differs from the previous models in the newly designed front fenders: the headlights are now set back and are located behind a cover made of Plexiglas. The C-pillar has also been redesigned: It only has three ventilation openings. Many, but not all, have narrow front bumpers that are attached to the body. The Tipo 128C twelve-cylinder was still used. However, a single-disc clutch was new. From the third series, 18 vehicles were built.

Series 4

The fourth series, the production of which is split between 1958 and 1959, is the most extensive. Scaglietti produced a total of 36 vehicles (chassis numbers 0897GT to 1401GT). Externally, they differ from their predecessors in that the C-pillar has been modified again: Now there is only one ventilation opening. The positioning of the headlights is unchanged, but the plexiglass cover is missing. The engine was again slightly revised; it is now called Tipo 128D .

The Zagato models

Vladimiro Galuzzi's Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Zagato (No. 0515GT)

The Milan design studio Zagato dressed a total of five 250 GT Berlinettas between 1956 and 1959. They are sometimes referred to as the 250 GTZ Berlinetta. GTZ had a very small customer base: two customers each ordered two cars.

From a technical point of view, the Zagato Berlinettas are identical to the Pininfarina versions, but have completely independent bodies. The first four structures are similar, but not completely identical; the last copy from 1959 is individual. The design of all the superstructures goes back to Elio Zagato . All Zagato Berlinettas are notchback coupés. The first four have very light-looking passenger cells with thin pillars and a Z-shaped kink in the C-pillar. Three of them also have the double bulges on the roof that are typical of Zagato, known as the Double Bubble .

  • The first model (chassis number 0515GT) was taken over by the racing driver Vladimiro Galuzzi , who brought the car to the start for some competitions.
  • The second vehicle (0537GT) was stylistically based on Galluzzi's car, but was even lighter. It was delivered to the former fighter pilot Camillo Luglio , who won the Italian sports car championship with him in 1956.
  • The third car (0665GT) also went to Luglio, who again took part in races with it in 1957. He was again Italian sports car champion that year and finished second in his class at the 1957 Mille Miglia.
  • The fourth car (0689GT) looked like the second, but did not have a “double bubble”.
  • The fifth and last GTZ (1367GT) was built in 1959. It went again to Vladimiro Galuzzi, who had already taken over the first car. This version was not intended for competitions, but for everyday use. It has an independent body with a rear panoramic window and eye-catching rear wings; the "double bubbles" are missing.

250 GT Berlinetta Interim

Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Interim

In 1959 the 250 GT Berlinetta Interim was created as a link between the previous “Tour de France” and its successor, the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB. Scaglietti built seven vehicles, which essentially served as test vehicles. You still have the long wheelbase of the “Tour de France”, but already have a Pininfarina body in the style of the new Berlinetta SWB. Outwardly, they differ from the SWB in that they have an additional side window in the doors, which the later series SWB lacks. The Tipo 128D motor also comes from the previous model . The compression varies between 9.2: 1 and 9.7: 1.

Review

The Belgian racing driver and journalist Paul Frère tested a third series Pininfarina berlinetta for Motor Revue magazine in 1958. He confirmed the factory information on the extraordinarily high performance and attested "the most painstaking care in the construction of the smallest details." The car is very sporty and has an "incredible attraction". It offers no comfort on bad roads, but the chassis can withstand the rigors of the toughest driving even on miserable roads.

Racing successes

After Alfonso de Portago and Edmont Nelson won the Tour de France for automobiles in 1956, the victories in 1957 , 1958 and 1959 went to Berlinetta drivers Olivier Gendebien and Lucien Bianchi . In 1957 and 1958 Gendebien and Paul Frère won the 12-hour races in Reims , and in the 1957 Mille Miglia Gendebien finished third in the Berlinetta, eight minutes behind the winner Piero Taruffi in the more powerful Ferrari 335S .

literature

  • Leonardo Acerbi: Ferrari: A Complete Guide to All Models. MBI Publishing Company LLC, 2006, ISBN 978-0-7603-2550-6 .
  • Georg Amtmann, Halwart Schrader: Italian sports cars. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1999, ISBN 3-613-01988-4
  • Matthias Braun, Ernst Fischer, Manfred Steinert, Alexander Franc Storz: Ferrari road and racing cars since 1946. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 978-3-613-02651-3 .
  • Peter Braun, Gregor Schulz: The great Ferrari manual. All series and racing vehicles from 1947 to the present day. Heel Verlag, Königswinter 2006, ISBN 3-89880-501-8 .
  • Godfrey Eaton: The Complete Ferrari. Edited by Geoff Willoughby. Cadogan Books, London 1985, ISBN 0-947754-10-5 .
  • Brian Laban: Ferrari. Translated from the English by Frauke Watson. Parragon Books, Bath 2006, ISBN 978-1-4054-1409-8 .
  • The car models 1966/67 and 1968/69 (dates and price).

Web links

Commons : Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Matthias Braun, Ernst Fischer, Manfred Steinert, Alexander Franc Storz: Ferrari road and racing cars since 1946. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 978-3-613-02651-3 , p. 50.
  2. ^ Brian Laban: Ferrari. Translated from the English by Frauke Watson. Parragon Books, Bath 2006, ISBN 978-1-4054-1409-8 , p. 39.
  3. ↑ Matthias Braun, Ernst Fischer, Manfred Steinert, Alexander Franc Storz: Ferrari road and racing cars since 1946. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 978-3-613-02651-3 , p. 200.
  4. ↑ The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta LWB on the auto.ferrari.com website (accessed on August 29, 2018).
  5. ↑ a b c Matthias Braun, Ernst Fischer, Manfred Steinert, Alexander Franc Storz: Ferrari road and racing cars since 1946. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 978-3-613-02651-3 , p. 200.
  6. ↑ a b c Peter Braun, Gregor Schulz: The great Ferrari manual. All series and racing vehicles from 1947 to the present day. Heel Verlag, Königswinter 2006, ISBN 3-89880-501-8 , p. 43.
  7. ^ Frank Oleski, Hartmut Lehbrink: Series sports car . Könemann, Cologne 1993, ISBN 3-89508-000-4 , p. 126.
  8. ↑ a b c d Paul Frère: Gran Purismo . Test report Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta third series. in auto motor und sport, issue 27/1958.
  9. ↑ Overview of the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta LWB 2nd series on the website barchetta.cc (accessed on August 29, 2018).
  10. ^ Peter Braun, Gregor Schulz: The large Ferrari manual. All series and racing vehicles from 1947 to the present day. Heel Verlag, Königswinter 2006, ISBN 3-89880-501-8 , p. 47.
  11. ^ A b Peter Braun, Gregor Schulz: The large Ferrari manual. All series and racing vehicles from 1947 to the present day. Heel Verlag, Königswinter 2006, ISBN 3-89880-501-8 , p. 52.
  12. ^ A b Larry Edsall: Ferrari. First Gear , Motorbooks 2011, ISBN 978-0-7603-4058-5 , p. 52.
  13. ↑ Overview of the five 250 GT Berlinetta Zagato on the website www.supercars.net (accessed on August 29, 2018).
  14. ↑ Matthias Braun, Ernst Fischer, Manfred Steinert, Alexander Franc Storz: Ferrari road and racing cars since 1946. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 978-3-613-02651-3 , p. 199.
  15. ↑ Overview of the seven interim models on the website www.barchetta.cc (accessed on August 29, 2018)