Ferrari 250 GTE 1961
General description :
Truly Rare Factory RIght-Hand Drive Ferrari 250 GTE Series I Garage Find: One of only 55 Built Debuted as the vehicle assigned to the track marshall for the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 250 GTE was an immediate commercial success as Ferraris first series-produced 2+2 model. Despite its luxurious four-passenger Pininfarina coachwork, the 250 GTE was pure Ferrari, with near-perfect weight distribution and excellent handling. The GTEs thoroughbred Colombo-derived V-12 engine delivered 240 bhp at 7,000 rpm, mated to a full-synchromesh four-speed manual gearbox with Laycock overdrive on fourth. Race-bred Dunlop disc brakes were a Ferrari road-car first. Production of the 250 GTE spanned 1960-1963. Ferrari built 954 along three distinct series, beginning with 299 Series I cars, which can be distinguished by their grille-mounted driving lights, three-light taillamps, and original dashboard layout. Among this desirable series of 250 GTEs is this extremely rare RHD model, of which only 55 were ever built! Constructed in June 1961, this Series I GTE was ordered by Colonel Ronnie Hoare's Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. in Surrey, England and was originally finished in the very handsome color combination of Shell Grey with orange leather trim. During its early years in the UK, this Ferrari was used as a demonstrator for the dealer, and was most notably pictured in the popular British car magazine "Autosport" for an article titled "The Fascination of Ferrari:" A copy of the article, which describes this GTE as 'A masterpiece from Maranello,' is included with the car. The Ferrari's first owner was a Mr. B. Coleman in England and he had it serviced at Maranello in 1963. Around 1965, Major R.J. Bailey bought the 250 GTE and owned it through the late 1970s - during this time the car was listed in the FOC England Membership Directory. Recently discovered here in the US after sitting in a garage for over 35 years! The Ferrari retains its original matching numbers engine, the body has been repainted dark red, and the original leather trim has been dyed black. A rare early 275 GTB/GTS steering wheel was fitted, but otherwise the car is in good, complete and original condition. It would be a perfect Ferrari to restore to show quality especially in its original factory delivered colors. This is a very rare and exciting find and a special car for Ferrari collectors in RHD markets! -Rare RHD 250 GTE - One of Only 55 Built-Outstanding Original Colors of Shell Grey with Orange-Featured in Autosport Magazine in October 1961-Matching Numbers Engine-Offered with Marcel Massini History Report-A True Ferrari Garage Find - Parked Since 1983 $367,500 Firm
https://www.gullwingmotorcars.com/1961-ferrari-250gte-c-4095.htm
1961 Ferrari 250 GTE is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Astoria by Gullwing Motor for $367500.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Ferrari Model : 250 GTE Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1961 Location : Astoria
Sold
Seller Information
Sold
People who viewed this Ferrari 250 GTE also viewed similar Ferrari listed at ClassicDigest
Ferrari 250 GTE
469950 €
Waalwijk
Ferrari 250 GTE
Prés Seigneurs
Ferrari 250 GTE
472300 €
Ferrari 250 GTE
375000 €
Brummen
Ferrari 250 GTE
365000 €
Brummen
Other cars listed for sale by this dealer
Jaguar XK150
34500$
Astoria
Ferrari 250 Europa
589500$
Astoria
Austin-Healey 100
34500$
Astoria
Mercedes-Benz 300 W186 Adenauer
149500$
Astoria
BMW 315
129500$
Astoria
About Ferrari
The first Ferrari road car was the 125 S introduced in 1947 and powered by a 1.5 L V12 engine, right? Well it's not quite that simple, Ferrari did in fact produce e Tipo 815, in 1940. Tipo 815 was designed by ex-Alfa Romeo engineers Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani and by Enrico Nardi under Enzo's company but legal issues with the former associate Alfa Romeo prevented Ferrari from launching the Ferrari marque at that point.
Enzo did produce a series of fine road cars in the 50's and 60's but they were merely to finance his true passion racing, wheather GT/Sports car or Grand Prix. The 50's saw the birth of Ferrari's most memorable cars, 250 GTB (tour de France) 250 Testa Rossa, 250 GT swb just to name a few.
Under the surface tension was growing though. In November 1961 long-time sales manager Girolamo Gardini made an ultimatum to Enzo: if tensions continued, he would leave the company. As a result, Gardini was ousted, as well as Scuderia Ferrari manager Romolo Tavoni, chief engineer Carlo Chiti, experimental sports car development chief Giotto Bizzarrini, and a number of others who stood by them.
Without Chiti and Bizzarrini the development of what was to become the most quintessential Ferrari and today the world's most expensive car, 250 GTO, was at a pivoting point. 250 GTO project was saved by a young engineer Mauro Forghieri and long-time racing bodyman Sergio Scaglietti who stepped in and took over the program with known results.
In addition to 250 GTO, Ferrari launced such master pieces as 250 LM, 250P, 275 GTB, 365 GTB/4 "Daytona" during the the 60's
By the late 60's Ferrari's prototypes' success came to a sudden halt by a new competitor, GT40. Ford turned to Lola to produce a Ferrari beating long distance racer after Enzo had cut the deal off with Henry Ford II making the latter absolutely boil with fury. The collaboration between Ford and Lola created the mighty Ford GT40 that gave Ferrari some heavy hits in Le Mans 24 to come.
By the end of the 60's FIAT purchased 50% of the company, starting a development that has led to a new mass-produced era of Ferraris.
Whether you are selling or looking for a classic Ferrari www.classicdigest.com is the place to check out.