The 1959-60 Ferrari 250 SWB Berlinetta
August 8, 2010 by Mark A Cella
Filed under Vehicle
Mark A Cella and His Favorite 60′s era Ferrari 250 SWB Berlinetta
Before the Berlinetta or Sport Coupe, is the Ferrari 250 GTO. What made the GTOs strong were the record braking V12 GT racing engines. GTO, or Gran Turismo Omologato, translated from Italian, meaning Grand Touring Homologated, and homologated is Official Agreement. 250 is the measurement of cubic centimeters inside each cylinder.
Mark A Cella’s Official Agreement is the Car is for Pure Racing
The car was built by Ferrari from 1953 to 1964 becoming Ferrari’s most successful line of cars to date. It was the first Ferrari to receive four disc brakes. Versions of it were the first four seater. Having a lightweight V12, 260-275bhp, 4 gear trans., competition engine launched its success at winning so many races recounting in detail would be endless, so here’s a few:
The first four places in its class at the 1960 Le Mans 24 hour race, leaving Chevy and Aston Martin far in its dust. With three consecutive Tour de France wins, taking the first three places at the 1960 Tour de France, 5500 km race. Later that season the SWB won outright, at Goodwood when Sterling Moss lapped the entire field in it, making it the second consecutive win. Then in England, Monza in Italy, Spa, Nurburgring, and Monthlery.
Weighing only 2,314 pounds gives the Ferraris 250 SWB Competizione a great power to weight ratio. Maximum speed was a little over 150 mph, and 0-60 was 6.2. Excellent numbers for 1960′s.
Mark A Cella Agrees it’s One of the Greatest Ferraris Ever Built
It is said that owners of this car had the luxury and thrill of being able to drive it to the race track, unload their luggage and be ready to race with minimal or no modifications. Just place their numbers on the sides and race. Although the competition models did have an extra 30-40 horsepower and other modifications like shorter wheel base, and aluminum vs. steal, not much could help most other manufacturers.
Motor Trend gave the 250 SWB the ranking of 5th out of ten of the Greatest Ferraris of all time. Sports Car International rated it 7th Top Sports Car of the 1960′s. Mark Cella rates it his first place 1960′s era Muscle Car, followed by the 1967 Corvette Sting Ray and 1968 Chevy Camaro.
Learn more about Mark A Cella. Stop by Mark Cella’s site where you can find out all about Mark A Cella and his work.
categories: ferrari 250 swb berlinetta,ferrari,exotic cars,sports cars,automobiles
