2,953cc SOHC All-alloy V12 Engine
3 Weber 36 DCZ/3 Carburetors
Approximately 220bhp at 6,600rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Coil Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Alfin Drum Brakes

*Exhibited at the 1956 Brussels Motor Show, campaigned in period at Spa Francorchamps
*Superb, factory-correct restoration by Ferrari specialists Ottis and Hoyt
*Ferrari Classiche Certified, matching-numbers engine & original bodywork
*Eligible for the most exclusive driving and Concours events worldwide
*2022 Mille Miglia veteran and Mille Miglia Registro entrant
*The very last 250 Europa GT built, with the desirable GT chassis upgrades


THE FERRARI 250 EUROPA GT

The 250 was Ferrari's first true Gran Turismo, and it was dressed in the Pinin Farina design that would become synonymous with how a Ferrari looked, forever intertwining the 250 with the passionate men of Maranello and Turin. The sobriety of shape and refined elegance of line exuded by the Europa were fully confirmed by Pinin Farina in later Ferrari GTs, and design cues created by the Ferrari-Pinin Farina partnership during this time, like the long, low hood and oval radiator, continue to appear on Ferrari models of the present day. It was this design that has, for decades, embodied the spirit of cruising through the French Riviera, cocooning occupants and luggage in luxury while effortlessly eating up miles.

First seen at the Paris Auto Salon the following year, in 1954, the new second series Europa GT looked quite similar to the original Europa, but in reality, the GT was a car with a wealth of new features. The original Colombo-designed short block engine had been brought up to 220bhp at a screaming 6,600rpm through development in the competition-derived 250 Mille Miglia. Used in the new Europa GT it allowed for a shorter wheelbase, which in turn brought down weight by approximately 10%, and added nearly ten miles per hour to the top speed.

Perhaps the most desirable upgrade to the Europa GT was the reworked suspension of the GT, now featuring independent coil-sprung suspension with double wishbones up front, and only fitted to the final few production cars. This made for superb handling, with excellent road holding, cornering ability and ride quality. Fewer than 15 of the Europa GTs were fitted with this advanced suspension. Huge Alfin brake drums were similar to the ones later fitted to Ferrari's competition 250 Tour de France, and offered very capable stopping power. The Europa GT was indeed the total package.


THE CAR OFFERED

As one of the rare, desirable, stunningly beautiful Europa GTs by Pinin Farina, chassis no. 0427 GT claims exceptional pedigree with both period racing history and as a motor show car when new. According to the extensive history report compiled by renowned Ferrari historian Marcel Massini and the Ferrari Classiche department, 0427 GT began its life as a coachbuilt Ferrari with the chassis delivered to the Pinin Farina coachworks on September 26th, 1955, to receive the beautiful Europa Coupe bodywork as seen on the car today. 0427 GT is distinguished as the last Europa GT completed, featuring the fully evolved and further advanced GT upgrades, using coil spring suspension as opposed to leaf springs. It featured the type 508 chassis, and was fitted with engine internal no. 367, as fitted in the car today. The car was painted Grigio Metallizato LC40, with a Verde LC17 (green) roof, and trimmed in Pelle Connolly VM3108. 0427 GT was delivered new to famed Ferrari racing team and importer, Jacques Swaters' Garage Francorchamps in January of 1956, and then displayed at the 1956 Brussels Motor Show, as the hottest new model from Maranello. Copies of original factory invoice, delivery paperwork and Certificate of Origin are on file, and Swaters was charged 3,000,000 Lire. Chassis 0427 GT remained with Swaters until 1957, when fellow Belgian Mr. W. Nilens purchased the car. On May 12, 1957, 0427 GT was then raced by Nilens at the famous Belgian circuit, Spa Francorchamps, with race #30 in the Grand Prix de Spa, and lovely archival photos are offered with the car, showing 0427 GT on track and in the paddock with the crew supporting it.

Chassis 0427 GT remained in Belgium under Swaters's watch until 1966, when he exported it to the US, where Jude Holcombe & Richard F. Merritt of Bethesda, Maryland became the next owners. 0427 GT later went to another US collector, before going back to Europe in the 1990s, where it was offered for sale by Albrecht G. Guggisberg's Oldtimer Garage in Toffen, Switzerland in 1998. By the early 2000s, the Ferrari was back stateside, owned by noted collector of significant European sportscars, Mr. Bruce Milner of Los Angeles, California. The car later went through the hands of Ferrari broker Tom Shaughnessy, before it was acquired by noted collector Mr. Scott Kreins of Saratoga, California, and then entrusted to award winning painter Brian Hoyt and his esteemed shop Perfect Reflections for a cosmetic restoration. The white color chosen as seen on the car today, was discovered as the base layer when the body was stripped to bare metal. During this time, the car's matching-numbers Colombo V12 engine was rebuilt by Ferrari specialist Patrick Ottis, while Ken Nemanic's Vintage Automotive Upholstery trimmed the interior using the well-preserved original interior as a foundation for authentic color, pattern and detail.

Once the restoration was completed, 0427 GT would be displayed at various concours events for the following years, including the Quail Motorsports Gathering event and the Cavallino Classic Ferrari event in Palm Beach, Florida. 0427 GT was later owned by a noted East Coast based collector, before being acquired by the most recent owner, a noted Swiss collector, who has since maintained the car in excellent order, while using it on many classic car driving events, including the California Mille.

Accompanying documentation supporting 0427 GTs incredible provenance includes of course Marcel Massini's history report, period paperwork from the Italian authorities, copy of the original factory invoice and shipping paperwork from Ferrari, and the lovey photos taken of the car at Spa in 1957, and later in the early 1960s in Belgium. Photos are also available of the car before restoration, showing a very original, unmolested car. A very rare, original Ferrari 250 Europa sales brochure and an original Ferrari 250 GT owner's manual are also offered with the car, in addition to a full toolkit in a proper leather roll. It is certified by Ferrari Classiche, and is offered with its red book, confirming that the car retains its original chassis, engine, body, suspension, brakes and other major components, while the gearbox is certified as having been replaced with an original period complying unit, and has been recently rebuilt under current ownership.

Today 0427 GT presents incredibly well inside and out and has that superb feel of a true GT car, equally at home on the road or racetrack. As raced at Spa Francorchamps in 1957, the car had its original Belgian license plates fitted during the race, so Nilens surely drove the car to and from the race! Inside the cockpit, the lovely wood rimmed steering wheel adorns the elegant dashboard, and leather luggage straps in the rear package tray area are ready to hold a weekend bag. The proper F.I.S.P.A. accessory bottles and ancillaries are in place in the engine compartment, with correct hose clamps and Pirelli stickers and markings. Original specification Marchal lights adorn the fenders, and the correct Borrani wire wheels are fitted with appropriate Pirelli Cinturato tires. True to its potential, 0427 GT competed in the 2022 Mille Miglia Storica, and is included in the Registro Mille Miglia.

This rare and coveted Ferrari GT boasts exciting provenance and is equally well suited for vintage touring or display on the finest Concours lawns. Subsequently restored and maintained in breathtaking condition, documented with original factory paperwork, and tended by some of the finest Ferrari craftsmen in the United States, it begs serious consideration by any dedicated collector of vintage Maranello automobiles, and would be the ideal machine, with its epic performance and spacious, comfortable cabin, to enter in the Mille Miglia Storica, or any other driving event such as the Copperstate 1000, California Mille or Colorado Grand.