1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Passo Corto
At the 1960 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari introduced a touring version of their potent SWB race car and many owners could then buy near-copies of the cars they saw on the tracks for weekend drives. Ferrari underlined performance potential of these cars by giving them all odd-numbered chassis numbers which were typically reserved for competition cars.
The SWB was the first Berlinetta body that was suitable for production on the 2400mm short-wheel-base chassis. Sergio Pininfarina called it “the first of our three quantum leaps in design with Ferrari.”
Ferrari offered the SWB in distinct specification which would be suited for for the demands of the racetrack, highway or sometimes both. Cars varied to suit individual customers’ requirements. Some of the very fastest models were called competitzione and used lightweight aluminum-alloy bodies, while the lusso road-going version had a fully trimmed interior, softer springing and steel body.
The engine was a version of the Ferrari V12 used on earlier 250 GTs, but for 1959 it used the ‘outside plug’ cylinder head with 12 intake ports. Generally this produced 250 to 280 bhp depending on state of tune.
Early versions had drum brakes while Dunlop discs were used to the model in 1960.
Like these early 250 GTs, the SWB enjoyed a string of success on the track which led to continual development that culminated with the 250 GTO. Right before the GTO was released, Ferrari was preparing SWBs with very light-gauge aluminum and near 300-horsepower engines for exclusive factory use. Known as the SEFAC hotrods, these were the ultimate derivative of the SWB before being replaced by the much more aerodynamically efficient GTO.
Ferrari Official: [ Ссылка ]
