Lot 115: 1961 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2 Coupe

�Pininfarina and Enzo Ferrari have collaborated to make a most desirable motor car: expensive, fast and luxuriously comfortable, with a large luggage compartment. All this adds up to a Gran Turismo, with the accent on the �Gran�, par excellence. If you want to go road racing look to the Berlinetta, but for touring in the grand style, �Two plus Two� equals near perfection.� - Sports Cars Illustrated.

Intended to extend Ferrari�s appeal to a sector of the market already contested by rivals Aston Martin and Maserati, the 250GTE 2+2 debuted in the summer of 1960. Ferrari�s first four-seater, the 250GTE 2+2 was directly descended from the most commercially successful Ferrari of its day, the 250GT. Launched in 1954, the latter featured a lighter and more-compact Colombo-designed 3-litre V12 in place of its Europa predecessor�s Lampredi unit. The 250GT chassis followed Ferrari�s established practice, being a multi-tubular frame tied together by oval main tubes, though the independent front suspension now employed coil springs instead of the transverse-leaf type. A four-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox transmitted power to the live rear axle, while hydraulic drums looked after braking all round. Disc brakes arrived late in 1959 and a four-speeds-plus-overdrive gearbox the following year, and both were features the 250GTE enjoyed from the start of production in 1960.

Pininfarina�s brief had been to produce a 2+2 without sacrificing the 250�s elegant good looks or sporting demeanour and the master carrozzier succeeded brilliantly with the GTE. By moving the engine, gearbox and steering gear forward and the fuel tank back, sufficient room was created for two occasional rear seats within the 250GT�s 2,600mm wheelbase. The Tipo 128E outside-plug engine�s 240bhp ensured that there was no reduction in performance despite the inevitable gain in weight. A popular and highly profitable car for Ferrari, the 250GTE remained in production until 1963.

Manufactured on 28th February 1961 and delivered new to Paris, France, 250GTE chassis number �2303� remains in good original condition, featuring grey metallic paintwork, nicely patinated original beige leather interior and competition-type bonnet complete with air scoop. The car is likewise mechanically to factory specification and retains its original engine, which benefits from cylinder heads rebuilt and converted to accept unleaded fuel in 2006. The paintwork was refreshed and the carpets renewed at the same time. �2303� was acquired by the vendor - only its third owner from new - in 2000 and has covered a genuine 97,000 kilometres from new. In 1973 the car took part in the Club Ferrari France�s Parc de Saran hill climb, where previous owner Alain Koehlhoeffer drove it to 11th place, a highly respectable result in a field dominated by Daytonas! Koehlhoeffer�s was the third-fastest 250GT. Reported as running perfectly with no evidence of smoke, the car is offered with history, old (previous owner) and current Carte Grise, and Parc de Saran results sheet.




Achev�e le 28 f�vrier 1961 et livr�e neuve � Paris, la 250 GTE ch�ssis n� 2303 est rest�e en bon �tat d�origine avec sa peinture gris m�tallis�, son int�rieur en cuir beige patin� et son capot type comp�tition avec sa prise d�air. La voiture est aussi conforme aux sp�cifications d�usine avec son moteur d�origine dont les culasses ont �t� refaites et adapt�es au sans-plomb en 2006. La peinture a �t� rafra�chie et les tapis refaits. � 2303 � a �t� acquise par le vendeur � son troisi�me propri�taire � en 2000. Elle n�a couvert en tout que 97 000 km. En 1973, elle a particip� � la course de c�te du Parc de Saran avec le Club Ferrari France (11e place face aux Daytona !). Pr�sentant un fonctionnement impeccable (sans �mission de fum�e), elle est offerte avec son historique, l�ancienne et la nouvelle carte grise et la feuille de r�sultats du Parc de Saran.