Cars

The Ferrari 250 GTE was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1960. For Enzo Ferrari, this was a decisive step: until then, Maranello’s production had been aimed primarily at motorsport enthusiasts and customers attracted by two-seater coupés derived directly from racing. The Commendatore realized that to ensure the future of his company, he had to offer a more versatile car, capable of attracting a broader, more international clientele. The 250 GTE thus became the first Ferrari conceived from the outset as a true 2+2, an elegant, comfortable and high-performance grand tourer.

The bodywork, designed by Pininfarina, marks an important stylistic evolution. Longer and sleeker than the other models in the 250 range, it retains the purity of Italian lines while offering unprecedented interior space. The chassis, derived from the 250 GT, has been lengthened to allow the installation of two rear seats, making the GTE a Ferrari for everyday use, including travel with family and friends. Despite these adaptations, the aesthetic balance is perfectly maintained, and the car retains its sporty, racy look.

Under the hood is the legendary 3.0-liter Colombo V12, fed by three Weber carburetors. This engine, the beating heart of the 250 line, develops around 240 hp and is distinguished by its smoothness, length and sound. Combined with a four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive, it enables the GTE to reach speeds of up to 230 km/h. For a four-seater grand tourer of the early 1960s, this performance is quite simply exceptional.

Produced in 950 examples between 1960 and 1963, the 250 GTE was one of the most popular Ferraris of its era. It was produced in three successive series, each with its own set of technical and aesthetic details. The first series, introduced in 1960, laid the foundations for the model. The second, introduced in early 1962, modernized the whole with a redesigned dashboard, new taillights and a number of interior improvements that enhanced the elegance and comfort of the cabin. Finally, the third series, which appeared in the autumn of 1962, continued the same logic, with more discreet alterations that reflected Ferrari’s constant quest for perfection.

The 250 GTE occupies a singular place in the history of Maranello. It was the first mass-produced Ferrari to offer four real seats, paving the way for a prestigious line of 2+2 coupés that would continue with the 330 GT, 365 GT 2+2 and much later the contemporary Ferrari Lusso. It also made its mark with an unusual use: some examples were used by the Rome police force, proof that this Ferrari could be just as effective on the streets of a capital city as it was on the long Italian roads.

The example presented here is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE, belonging to Series II. It perfectly embodies the balance of this generation, with its subtly modernized Pininfarina elegance and more refined interior than that of the first series. It was produced in September 1961 and put on the road in 1962 in the USA, the month remaining unknown.

The car was repatriated to Italy in June 1990 and became the property of the Ferragamo family in Florence.

It has now been in the procession of its last Belgian owner for 25 years: it has been very well maintained over the last 30 years, first at Gipi Motors and then at Officina, with a total of over €150,000 in bills.

This 250 GT/E is in perfect condition: the bodywork has a few signs of use, but is still very beautiful. The interior is perfect, as is the engine compartment. The engine runs smoothly and the car behaves magnificently on the road. It has been regularly used by its owner since its purchase.

It no longer has its original “Grigio Fumo” color, and therefore no Ferrari Classiche certification.

Chassis number: 2801GT

Engine number: 570E typo 128/F

Box number: 228/E

Bridge number: 192/E