1958 Ferrari 250

Mille Miglia, Le Mans, Monza, Daytona hallowed grounds where legends were forged, and where through the dust, oil and grit, Ferrari earned the right to emblazon those names on its cars. Also counted among them is the Tour de France which may evoke images of elite cyclists sprinting through the Champs Elysees but which first began in 1899 as one of the earliest competitive tests of automobile endurance. It became a fixture on the racing calendar, evolving into a high-speed, open road race to rival the Mille Miglia or Targa Florio. Beginning in the early 1950s, Ferrari dominated the Tour, winning eight times between 1951 and 1962 with Scuderia stalwarts including Olivier Gendebien, Lucien Bianchi, and Alfonso de Portago taking top honors. From 1956, in honor of its success, Ferrari named the latest competition version of the 250 chassis Tour de France.

The direct predecessor to the 250 SWB and 250 GTO, the 250 LWB Tour de France Competition Berlinetta won the eponymous event in 1956. The 250 TdF evolved through four series over its brief but fruitful production span. Styling changes differentiate the various series, and the cars are commonly identified by the number of louvers on the sale panel from none to fourteen. Experts estimate that just 85 were built in total, and they are highly coveted by serious collectors worldwide.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then 1950s Ferraris certainly get their fair share of adulation. The exclusivity and eye-watering values of cars like the GTO, SWB, and California Spider created a market for accurate recreations using existing Ferrari production car components. The Tour de France falls in this category, as enthusiasts have sought to capture the magic of the highly successful and drop-dead-gorgeous TdF at a somewhat more attainable level. The 250 chassis versatility and universality make it an ideal basis for an authentic recreation.

Offered here is a striking tribute to the 250 LWB Tour de France Berlinetta. This car was built using components from various sources, primarily 250 GTE S/N 3457GT for the engine, and other 250 series Ferraris for the chassis elements. This car is modeled after the 3-louver TdF, first introduced in the spring of 1957. Aside from the new sail panel treatment, Scaglietti also revised the body with set-back covered headlamps, low-mounted full-width bumpers, and chrome deco strips along the sills features which are faithfully reproduced here. Finished in the classic Rosso Corsa, it is adorned with a broad black stripe a distinctive treatment honoring the liveries of many great successful TdFs. The all-aluminum coachwork is adorned with authentic period touches including full-width bumpers, a large Monza-style fuel filler, external bonnet pins, and exposed boot-lid latches. Proven 250 GTE chassis components underpin the body, and the car rides on Borrani RW3812 wheels, providing assured roadholding and ride quality.

The cockpit features purposeful, deeply sculpted bucket seats to hold you in place while carving up your favorite country roads. Quilted blue upholstery covers the seats, gearbox tunnel, and rear parcel shelf. The dash is reminiscent of the original TdF, with its low-glare black wrinkle finish, beautiful Nardi steering wheel, and array of Veglia instruments and switchgear.

Of course, the heart of any Ferrari lay under the hood. A jab of the throttle and twist of the key awakens the throaty roar of the 3-liter Columbo V12 engine. It has been suitably uprated with GTO-style six twin-choke downdraft carburetors with velocity stacks, in the spirit of the original TdFs competizione specification. The intake roar from the carbs combines with a free-flowing exhaust, emitting one of the most spine-tingling soundtracks in all of motoring. It makes for a glorious experience, indeed.

Original examples of the 250 TdF sit easily in the seven-figure value range or more with provenance, meaning many get quietly locked up in museum-like settings.The beauty of a faithful recreation such as this, is that the full Ferrari DNA remains front and center, so set aside worries of driving a priceless artifact and simply enjoy the smells, sounds, and performance that makes the Ferrari 250 series one of the greatest GT cars of all time.

Offers welcome and trades considered.