Le Mans, 1963. The Ferrari 250 GTEthe personal request of Enzo Ferrari prepares to shoot as safety car in the French circuit. Perfectly brought from the factory with its color blu sera and a leather interior grigio It was adapted in the workshop of the skilled Henri Chapron to include all the necessary elements to run as the official safety car in the endurance test.
The car, which was put up for auction in early June, still has its original colour, engine, gearbox and rear axle.
Before we get into it, let’s mention some quick facts about this vehicle.
- As we said, it was a personal request from Enzo Ferrari. He wanted a more practical vehicle than a two-seater without giving up a single iota of the Ferrari essence. It would later become the first produced Ferrari 2+2 in history.
- Pininfarina signed off on the design and construction of the body based on chassis 4155 of a long wheelbase Ferrari 250 GT and managed to adapt it to include the 2+2 seating arrangement.
- It included an atmospheric Colombo V12 type 125 engine with a displacement of 2,953 cm3.
- After his appearance at Le Mans he participated in the French film Pouic-pouic.
Practicality and design
Thanks to Enzo Ferrari’s request, a curious melon was opened for Ferrari, since the almost 1,000 units that were sold greatly helped the manufacturer’s finances in the 1960s. Without a doubt, the option of the 2+2 model was a small discovery that was born in the 250 GTE, passed through the 330 America, the 456 GT of 1992… and reaches the present day GTC4 Lusso. Models that add sportiness and practicality. At least not to take two walks in case you have to take the family and the dog, as in the case of Enzo.
Regarding the design, as we said, Pininfarina art. They started with the same wheelbase as the 250 GT (2,600 mm) and then fitted the 3.0-liter Colombo V12 engine, moving it about 200 mm to the front and thus having more space in the cabin and being able to provide those two extra seats to the front. Ferrari’s first saloon.
Although the model that arrived at the layout was a pre-production unit, it had a very similar design to the one that was marketed afterwards. The presence at Le Mans was a perfect argument for promoting the model in its future sales. A rare avis, since Ferrari models usually debuted in the main halls and public events and not on a circuit as a safety car.
marquetinianamente Speaking we can say that Enzo added to what is known as story doing or the art of involving the public in the experience. Firstly because of Enzo’s need and secondly for demonstrating how a car designed ad hoc for a family it can become a safety car and then an actor.
The Ferrari 250 GTE at the 24 hours of Le Mans
It was running in June at Le Mans, the 10th round of the World Sports Car Championship, and Ferrari dominated by far, occupying the first six positions in the race. As a curious fact, the Ferrari 250P of Ludovico Scarfiotti and Lorenzo Bandini (is it Rigoberta’s family?) shared the same engine with the 250 GTE.
We can say that part of the imprint of this pre-production vehicle adapted and dressed for the occasion will remain in the record of the test.
Among the aesthetic elements that were mounted in the unit, the supports for the flags, adapted lighting, shields of the event and certain adjustments to keep up with the competition stand out. All these modifications would be maintained for the French film in which he starred that same year. Once it reached the hands of its first collector, in 1970 it remained intact for more than 50 years.
The auction of the Ferrari 250 GTE Le Mans
From its journey through racing and movies, the Ferrari 250 GTE “Le Mans” passed from hand to hand until 1970. Its longest-serving owner, Chris Fifis, acquired it with nearly 57,000 km and owned it for 50 years, until who passed away and transferred it with just over 63,000 km.
On June 9, at the RM Sotheby’s auction house, this unit reached the value of €545,000. Undoubtedly a tremendously important Ferrari with a significant place in racing history and engineering history thanks to the development of the 4155 chassis.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
Photo gallery (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s):
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