Mention the three little digits ‘250’ next to a Ferrari and it’s highly likely you’re referring to not only an exquisite jewel even among the rarefied atmosphere of Maranello machines, but one that transcends varied worldwide automotive passions. The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta is one such remarkable vehicle that exemplifies this distinction.
The Perfect Fusion of Form and Function
The Berlinetta SWB is among the finest of the breed, the apex point where form met function for stylists Pininfarina and builder Scaglietti, resulting in one of the most seductive shapes ever to ride on four wheels. Designed for optimum racing dominance, 45 per cent of the 167 cars constructed were bodied in weight-saving aluminium. This achievement highlights the uniqueness of the SWB Berlinetta.
The Short-Wheelbase Advantage
The SWB, or passo corto, is so-called for its short-wheelbase configuration, which saw 20cm excised from the preceding 250 Tour de France to give it the edge in sports car racing. This design is key to the racing success of the car.
Though each car was specified to individual tastes, all featured a 3.0-litre V12 engine with as much as 280bhp. This grunt helped it become a highly effective competition car – it won the Tour de France Automobile three times in a row. The performance capabilities of this car were unmatched.
A Storied Past: Chassis 3695GT
This particular car from 1962, chassis 3695GT, which I pictured at Concours of Elegance 2024, was the 82nd car built and featured a Monza outside fuel filler set in the left rear wing. It was first delivered to an ML Caccia, an Italian via Garage La Rotonda in Firenze.
The Cannonball Run Adventure
Some time in the 1960s it passed to James and Joan Mullen of Massachusetts, USA, who used it to compete in the 1979 Cannonball Run. The duo encountered law enforcement officers, who let them go without a ticket in return for home-made chocolate chip cookies. They finished in a time of 40 hours and 11 minutes. These events are a thrilling part of The Berlinetta SWB’s history.
A New Chapter in Japan and Beyond
In 1979, stewardship of the car passed to Yoshikuni Okamoto of Japan, but the car stayed in the USA. Though the car was running, it had extensive rust damage and evidence of a crash in the right door post. This transition period was crucial for the future of car.
After four years with one restorer, another completed it in time for the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Two years later, Cavallino Holdings acquired the car and reunited it with its original engine, which was rebuilt. It was then sold to Randy Reiss at a Christie’s auction in August 2000. The car then became a regular on the concours scene, winning best of show at Concorso Italiano in 2002. The restoration journey of this 250 GT SWB Berlinetta is remarkable.
The Final Touch: Motion Products Restoration
More recently, the car was submitted for a full restoration by Motion Products Inc in 2021, which was completed two years later. The car was awarded Ferrari Classiche certification in November 2023. This marks the final restoration to date for this car.
Technical Specifications
ENGINE – 2953cc/V12/ naturally aspirated/SOHC
TRANSMISSION – Four-speed manual, RWD
POWER – 276bhp
TORQUE – N/A
TOP SPEED – 167mph
0-60MPH – N/A
WEIGHT – 960kg (dry)
I would so love to own and drive this car. What a beautiful work of automotive art. Super cool. What do you think of this car? This car really caught my attention and made it into my top 10 cars at the 2024 Concours of Elegance. Check out that top 10 here.
