Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I Pininfarina Chassis no. 0913 GT

On auction for a price starting 6 million dollars! 

As Ferrari reached its furthest stride yet towards series production during the mid-1950s, the manufacturer conspicuously lacked an open 250 GT model. Though luxury cabriolets had been a staple of the 212 and 342 platforms, the 250 GT was initially produced exclusively in coupe body styles. In March 1956, however, the coachbuilder Boano introduced a new open Ferrari built on the 250 GT platform, a curious-looking cabriolet with tail fins. One year later Pinin Farina unveiled a more refined version with a completely stowable top, rounded fenders, covered headlamps, and a notched driver’s-side door, though it lacked roll-up windows. After experimenting with an altered café racer version, Pinin Farina used its initial design as the basis for a more formal series of luxurious cabriolets that featured wind-up windows and Borrani wire wheels. The coachwork remained essentially unchanged through the production of 37 examples, though the last few were built with uncovered headlamps. Comprising a total of 40 examples (including three prototypes), the first-series 250 GT cabriolet was one of the last models constructed in Pinin Farina’s boutique workshop prior to the coachbuilder relocating to a larger factory in Grugliasco. While the bodies were consistent from car to car, the interior details and trim were customized to order, and it is believed that no two were ever produced exactly alike. 

Mechanically, these cabriolets shared many elements of the concurrent 250 GT berlinetta ‘Tour de France’. The engine was 60° V12 SOHC. The bore and stroke were 73 and 58.8 mm respectively, and the displacement was 2953.21 cm³. The compression ratio was 8.5:1 (8.8:1 in the second series). The fuel was provided by three Weber carburetors model 36 DCL/3. The clutch was double disc. The maximum power output was 220 bhp @ 7000 rpm (240 bhp in the second series). The frame was tubular trellis. The front suspensions were independent, aquadrilaterals and helical springs; the rear ones instead of a rigid bridge and longitudinal leaf springs. Both had hydraulic shock absorbers. The brakes were drums, while the gearbox was 4-speed plus reverse (four-speed gearbox + overdrive in the second series). The steering was worm. The "250 GT Cabriolet" reached a top speed of 252 km/h. Exquisite in build quality and indubitably rare, the first-series Pinin Farina cabriolets were built through 1959, beautifully resuscitating the luxurious open touring Ferrari.