Lot 66: 1954 FERRARI 250 EUROPA 1ST SERIES TWO SEATER COUPE

1965 Pebble Beach Class Winning

COACHWORK BY PININFARINA


Cream with red leather interior

Engine : V12, 2,953cc, single overhead camshaft per bank, triple Weber 36DCF carburetors, 220bhp at 7,000rpm; Gearbox; four speed manual; Suspension: four-wheel independent by A-arms in the front, transverse leaf spring and live rear axle; Brakes; four wheel hydraulic drum. Left hand drive.

In the early 1950s Ferrari production concentrated on factory competition cars and similar models for a handful of lucky privateers rather than producing road cars. It was the Europa model that is often considered as the first real step towards an initial form of series production, if only in very limited numbers.

The model was introduced alongside the more powerful, heavier and larger engined 4,522cc, 375 America at the Paris Salon of October 1953 with a price tag of $11,000 USD; Both models shared the same long wheelbase chassis of 280cm and an Aurelio Lampredi designed 60 degree V12 with 3.0 litre displacement, replacing the previous 2.6 litre engine that powered the 212 series. In fact in keeping with Ferrari's policy of testing cars on racetracks prior to offering them to his clients, this new engine was descended directly from the 250S 'experimental' with which Giovanni Bracco won the 1952 Mille Miglia. In the Europa's case the 250 variant featured a completely square bore/stroke configuration of 68mmx68mm, breathing through triple Weber 36DCZ carburetors and producing a healthy 220bhp at 7,000rpm. Even by today's standards the performance is admirable with a dry weight of a mere 1,050 kg this produced an excellent power to weight ratio and the subsequent performance figures enabled the model to be capable of reaching 60mph in less than 8 seconds.

Coachbuilding was entrusted to Pininfarina and the elegant coupé designs boasted high waistlines arguably showing a high degree of elegance and fluidity to the eye. Unlike the Commendatore's previously crude road cars, which were in fact no more than thinly disguised competition cars, this was a serious attempt at attracting a new and somewhat more refined clientele. First series Europa production was short lived with a mere 20 cars produced all which were bodied by Pininfarina.

0351 EU was the last example produced and was supplied with matching chassis and engine numbers, amazingly so, when recently profiled and viewed for the August September 2004 issue of Cavallino (where it adorned the front cover) another number was found; 0319 AU. Whether or not this was therefore a reverted order to appease a client remains a mystery but the fact that this was the last built makes that a plausible explanation. The factory build sheets note that the chassis and mechanical work had been completed by February 1954 but it did not reach Pininfarina until May where it was job number 12548. The Pininfarina job number is found on the trim throughout the car. Once finished, 0351 EU was liveried in two-tone silver and dark gray with attractively contrasting red leather interior and first owner Clarence Brown of Los Angeles used the car briefly in Europe and it was even pictured in the 1954 Ferrari factory year book, before being exported to the USA. Brown kept the car until the end of January 1958, by which time the car had covered just over 26,000kms, Brown then sold the Europa to Lorne Garden, a resident of Seattle. Garden was meticulous in his maintenance of the car and kept detailed records of the work he had undertaken, the first and most notable task being that of a complete documented engine rebuild. After three years, Garden succumbed to the pressure put upon him by his family and sold the car to his friend Stan Baker.

Gun shop owner Baker, famous in the firearms community for his shotgun barrels, balanced the trials and tribulations of running his business in an interesting manner by which in times of good fortune he would treat himself to an extravagance and fairly so he would also buy something for his wife. At the time, Baker's wife Kathleen had given hints that a white Ford Thunderbird would be well received but Stan took the plunge and scooped the silver Europa. Whilst he couldn't afford it instantly, he and Garden worked out a repayment schedule by installments which even included merchandise from his store! Sales contract, insurance cards and incremental payment receipts are still intact and are offered with the car. The Bakers were instantly smitten by the Europa and between them spent years tinkering with the car whether it be stripping the paint back for the respray it desperately needed or polishing the Borrani's much time was lavished on 0351 EU. When repainted, the color was changed to light cream, to appease Mrs.Baker's white T Bird requirement, and this same paint displays particularly well over forty years on. It is worth noting that under an inner the door jam panels one can still see the reminisce of the silver original colors. Over the years, the Bakers took their prized Ferrari to many shows and even took first place at the 1965 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, when they returned in 1990 the car was very well received but this time took a third place in class.

The current, and only fourth, owner has cherished the car over the past couple of years since purchase from Kathleen Baker following Stan's passing, and to date the car has only covered just over 65,000kms, making for an average of just over 800 miles per year. The car was shown at Cavallino Classics 2004 where it achieved a first in class award, Platinum Level. It has been additionally shown at several Ferrari local and national concours where the Europa continually has scored well and always noted for its originality. What can only be classed as an ancient repaint presents astonishingly well throughout with all panels showing no damage and boasting extremely good fit. The engine bay is simply too good to be completely original and the inner wings certainly appear to have been repainted at some stage to compete at show level, but the engine is just well detailed and cleaned, with belly pans installed. The interior though is where one really is subjected to a timewarp-like treat, for its fifty one years of age it has been exceptionally well conserved; the seats are supple and gently creased but save for recent refurbishment to the stitch repair on the passenger seat and a localized repair to the drivers seat. The headlining has clearly darkened slightly and the drawstring overhead storage pockets have sagged to a minimal level, particularly considering age and use. On the road the Europa behaves well and when sufficiently warm revs cleanly throughout the rev range.

Presented in unrepeatably charming original condition throughout this Europa should not be overlooked. During the cherished life the car has led the most striking fact is that it has been regularly shown for the last forty years. Highly eligible not only for the concours field but an array of touring events across the globe this is a wonderful opportunity. Cars classified loosely as having patina are prevalent regardless of how they have been treated by the course of time but this is very different; quite simply it is immaculately old.