That Other Ride (Ferrari 250 GT)

OK, no need for a spoiler alert, because it was a ride around the long road-test block (about 3 miles) in a commercial-residential neighborhood.  And it was a customer car that had just had an oil change and minor tune.  So it wasn't pushed hard in the 4 street corners and one sweeper.  We didn't see over 100, and most of the time were around 60-70.

The 250 GT Coupe could be thought of as Ferrari's first production car, in the sense that Enzo asked PininFarina to design and build over 335 identical steel bodies in series from 1958 through 1960.  By Ferrari standards of the time, that was a long run.  Another way to think of it is the "entry-level" Ferrari, at $12,000.  Using Pilote's customary 10:1 inflation rate (for sodas from a vending machine, postage stamps, and basic transportation cars), a 250 GT Coupe would cost about $120,000 today.  Not again until 1975-1985, with the 208/308/328 series of V-8 rear-engine cars, would a Ferrari model be made in these (and greater) numbers.

The PininFarina steel-bodied, long wheelbase, 250 GT Coupe.  The one Pilote rode in was white, but an owner previous to the current one had painted the top metalflake gold.  This was a notably unsuccessful attempt to customize Italian Minimalism.

Rear view:  this is the much rarer 250 GT California Spider, even prettier (with faired-in headlights), but the back is the same.

The Office, almost: this is the cockpit of a 1962 SWB (short wheelbase), more compact, but otherwise nearly identical.

The engine: 3.0 liter V-12, SOHC, six carb throats, 260 horsepower.  This one lacks  an air cleaner, which street 250 GTs had. 

The power was smoothly and effortlessly delivered.  Although a V-12 is "two sixes," it feels (and sounds) smoother than a V-8.  I don't remember Ferrari's famous V-12 wail through the muffled exhausts, just revs.  The car was quiet.  With a 4-speed box and a tall final drive, we were easily doing 90+ inside of 3/8's of a mile, shifting up into third.  Braking was fine; the 1960 model I rode in had discs.  It was (of course) stable through the 80 m.p.h. sweeper.

Not long after my ride, the owner exchanged the 250 GT for a brand new '63 Corvette split-window coupe (in Arrest Me Red).  I believe the 'Vette had the 300 h.p. / 327 cubic-inch carbureted engine, and it probably had factory air, unheard of in early 1960's imported cars, including Ferraris.  I didn't get a ride in the 'Vette.  I'd guess that, although its power-to-weight ratio was higher than the Ferrari's, the 'Vette was quicker off the line.  And as much or more fun around town, even on those narrow whitewall cross-ply tires.  Both were big by sports car standards.  The Ferrari was more a highway car: extremely long legged, with a higher top end.  Not that you could use its potential much on speed-limited roads.  It was a classy, civilized, easy-to-drive, high-speed GT; and didn't feel racecar-y at all.