• Less than 500km since construction
  
• More powerful 4 litre Tipo 509 engine
  
• Ideal for fast road/ track use or historic tours
  
• UK road registered and fresh MoT certificate
  

Ferrari's 250GT reached a level of true dual-purpose perfection with the Short Wheelbase Berlinetta. It coalesced three parallel and mutually-supporting paths of Ferrari development. Ferrari's continuing focus upon racing in both Grand Prix and long distance endurance sports cars and prototypes emphasized power and reliability. Production of high quality granturismo automobiles delivered comfort and exclusivity to a demanding clientele.

And Pininfarina had refined a distinctive Ferrari design that visually captured and expressed the marque's attributes.
Introduced in 1959, the 250GT Berlinetta was designed with three objectives: first, to be more aerodynamically efficient; second, to be as compact as possible; and third, to provide appropriate accommodation and luggage space for a true granturismo automobile. In the process, Pininfarina and Scaglietti created one of the most beautiful automobiles of all time, a succinct, straightforward and purposeful blending of form following function that is pleasing from all aspects.

Complementing the 250GT SWB's landmark design were a number of innovations and the kind of continuous improvement and evolution that characterized Ferrari. Perhaps most importantly, the 250GT SWB was the first production Ferrari delivered with disc brakes, a feature proudly displayed at the SWB's 1960 showings at Turin and Geneva where it was exhibited on jack stands with the wheels removed to show off its Dunlop disc brakes.

The 250GT SWB Berlinetta was immediately successful in racing, and remained so until its place at the head of the GT pack was gradually assumed by the GTO. Its list of competition successes is so long as to be pointless to recount in detail but included GT category wins at Le Mans in 1960 and 1961, Tour de France wins in 1960, 1961 and 1962 and of course Stirling Moss's pair of Goodwood Tourist Trophy wins in 1960 and 1961. Built in both steel and aluminium, only 165 were made from 1959-1962. The 250GT SWB Berlinetta is the last true dual-purpose granturismo built in quantity by Ferrari – or anyone else for that matter – and is in all respects a fitting milestone to mark the end of a legendary age.

The classic status of the SWB Berlinetta variant of the Ferrari 250GT model has, inevitably, led to an equally exalted market value: steel road cars start at €2+ million and aluminium Competizione versions can sell for considerably more than twice that depending on racing history. This, in turn, has left some potential owners disappointed and even induced some existing owners to commission facsimile versions, 'clones' if you like, for fast use on the track and road (Kidston SA sold one in 2007 from a major Swiss Ferrari collection- see 'Sold Cars' on our website). This is one such car, using the identity of a damaged Ferrari 250GT Pinin Farina coupé of 1959 vintage to create an effectively 'new' SWB Berlinetta. After all, the SWB used mechanical componentry which was shared by much of the Ferrari range of the period, and this particular conversion was executed by renowned Italian artisan Giovanni Giordanengo of Cuneo, south of Turin.

Rather than use a normal 3 litre, 250GT block, the Italian collector who commissioned this car in 1986 felt that more power combined with greatly increased torque and driveability could be better achieved by adopting a 4 litre unit: after all, Ferrari had done the same with the last Testa Rossas and GTOs, both of which received '330' power late in life. The 250GT SWB motor typically produced 220-280bhp depending on whether in road going or competition tune, whereas the 330GT boasted a reliable 300bhp. A Tipo 209 engine from a 330GT was sourced, rebuilt and fitted. It features 6.7mm lift camshafts and Weber 40DCZ6 carburettors and is mated to a four speed 250GT type gearbox with cast iron casing and a rear axle with 7x31 ratio to give acceleration which will out drag almost anything of the period.

Finished in a striking shade of Giallo Fly, the hand beaten bodywork is faithful to the classic SWB Berlinetta style with aluminium skin and Plexiglas side and rear windows. The latter features an air extractor vent with aluminium trim and on the bonnet a competition style bug deflector is affixed, together with leather retaining straps which match those on the boot lid. Wheels are the correct Borrani RW3801s (6.5" x 15"), painted and shod with Michelin XWX tyres for fast road use, whilst a set of Dunlop Racing tyres for track work are also supplied. Four 'Snap' exhaust extractors provide a sporty finishing touch and enhance the aural pleasure of the V12..

Inside the cabin, experts will notice that the correct type, black leather trimmed racing bucket seats are complimented by a crackle black finished metal dashboard which houses SWB type black faced instruments and switchgear. A spare black leather trimmed drivers seat in similar period style but with thinner padding and a raked back (to suit drivers over 6'/ 188cm) made by Luppi is included. A Nardi wood rimmed steering wheel and chrome knob topped gearlever complete the tactile but businesslike ambiance of the SWB cockpit. Black wool carpets and diamond stitched leatherette quilting covering the shelf behind the seats give a nod to comfort but one has no illusion as to this car's intended sporting purpose.

Completed in 1992 and delivered to the family of the commissioning owner who had in the meantime passed away, this beautiful Berlinetta has since remained virtually unused at the family seat, with less than 500km covered. Prior to being offered for sale it has been completely checked over, serviced and road tested by veteran Ferrari mechanic Gianni Reggiani of Modena with the coachwork detailed by Carrozzeria Autosport (Bacchelli & Villa), also of Modena.

Accompanying the car are copies of period Italian registration documents for '1345GT' (showing first delivery on 26th May 1959 to one Alfredo Honegger of Bergamo followed by Count Giuseppe Zanon of Biella in November of that year), rebuild invoices from Giordanengo and correspondence between the latter and the commissioning customer. Invoices for recent work by Autosport, Reggiani and Luppi (for trim alterations) are also supplied. The car is UK road registered with a period number and alternative UK cherished number 'MO 5500' (similar to the 'Modena' numbers used on works Ferraris of the period) is available by separate negotiation. It has a fresh MoT roadworthiness certificate and road tax.

No automobile in the world, even from Ferrari, better expresses the concept of a dual purpose granturismo than the 250GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta. This immaculate automobile will provide the visual, aural and driving enjoyment of a genuine SWB to its new owner without the associated financial commitment or risk.