Mention the three little digits ‘250’ next to a Ferrari and it is very likely that you are referring not only to a refined jewel, even among the rarefied atmosphere of the machines from Maranello, but to one that transcends the various automotive passions worldwide. The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta is a remarkable vehicle that exemplifies this distinction.
The perfect fusion of form and function
The Berlinetta SWB is among the best of the breed, the culmination point where form meets function for the stylists Pininfarina and the builder Scaglietti, resulting in one of the most seductive shapes ever mounted on four wheels. Designed for optimal performance in racing, 45% of the 167 cars built had aluminum bodies for weight reduction. This achievement highlights the uniqueness of the SWB Berlinetta.
The short wheelbase advantage
The SWB, or short wheelbase, is so called for its short wheelbase configuration, which saw 20 cm removed from the previous 250 Tour de France to give it an edge in sports car racing. This design is the key to the car’s success in racing.
While each car was specified according to individual tastes, all featured a 3.0-liter V12 engine with up to 280 hp. This grunt helped make it a highly effective competition car – it won the Tour de France Automobile three times in a row. The performance capabilities of this car were unrivaled.
A storied past: chassis 3695GT
This particular 1962 car, chassis 3695GT, which I photographed at the Concours of Elegance 2024, was the 82nd car built and featured a Monza external fuel tank placed on the left rear wing. It was first delivered to an ML Caccia, an Italian via Garage La Rotonda in Firenze.
The cannonball run adventure
At some point in the 1960s, it passed to James and Joan Mullen of Massachusetts, USA, who used it to compete in the 1979 Cannonball Run. The duo encountered police, who let them go without a ticket in exchange for homemade chocolate chip cookies. They finished in the time of 40 hours and 11 minutes. These events are an exciting part of the SWB Berlinetta’s history.
A new chapter in Japan and beyond
In 1979, ownership of the car passed to Yoshikuni Okamoto from Japan, but the car remained in the USA. Although the car was running, it had major rust damage and evidence of a hit on the right door post. This transition period was crucial for the car’s future.
After four years with one restorer, another completed it in time for the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Two years later, Cavallino Holdings acquired the car and reunited it with the original engine, which was rebuilt. It was then sold to Randy Reiss at a Christie’s auction in August 2000. The car then became a regular presence on the concours scene, winning the best show award at the Concorso Italiano in 2002. The restoration journey of this 250 GT SWB Berlinetta is remarkable.
The final touch: Motion Products restoration
More recently, the car underwent a complete restoration by Motion Products Inc in 2021, which was completed two years later. The car received Ferrari Classiche certification in November 2023. This marks the final restoration of this car to date.
Technical Specifications
ENGINE – 2,953 cc/V12/ naturally aspirated/SOHC
TRANSMISSION – Four-speed manual, RWD
POWER – 276 hp
TORQUE – N/A
TOP SPEED – 167 mph
0-60 mph – N/A
WEIGHT – 960kg (dry)
I would love to own and drive this car. What a beautiful automotive masterpiece. Very cool. What do you think of this car? This car really caught my attention and made it to my top 10 cars at the Concours of Elegance 2024. Check out the top 10 here.
