Classic Car: Ferrari 250 GTE

The 250 series is one of the most important in Ferrari history. It is a sports car built by Ferrari from 1953 to 1964 and there were several racing and street-legal versions of the Ferrari 250. Racing version include the 250 S, 250 MM, 250 TR, 250 Monza, 250 LM and the iconic 250 GTO. Street versions include 250 GT Europa, 250 GTB, 250 GTB SWB, 250 GT California Spider LWB, 250 GT Cabriolet, 250 GT Lusso, and the Ferrari 250 GTE. Ferruccio Lamborghini had a few Ferrari 250s. He was frustrated by frequent clutch problems and brought his complaints to Enzo Ferrari. Enzo told him "How dare a tractor maker tell me how to make a car." Lamborghini hired ex-Ferrari engineers and created the Lamborghini 350GT. The Ferrari 250 GT/E is the first mass produced Ferrari with four seats. The rear seats were better suited for small children than large adults.1,000 250 GTEs were built from 1959 to 1963.


I recently saw a Ferrari 250 GT/E at the 2011 Houston Ferrari Festival. This was the only model of the Ferrari 250 at the event and it is a beautiful classic Ferrari. The 250 GT/E does not have the aggressive styling that the 250 LM, 250 GT Buano, or the 250 GTO.


The 250 GT/E is powered by a 3.0L V12, paired with a four-speed manual transmission, that produces 237 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds an reaches a top speed of 143 mph. This is quick and fast by 1950's standards. The original MSRP for the 250 GTE was $11,500. That was a lot for a car in the 1950s.


The 250 GTE has been featured in Poliziotto, The Wrong Arm on the Law, Rain Man, and The Saint.


The 250 GTE is an important car in Ferrari's history as it is the first mass produced 2+2 car with the Ferrari badge. However, there are more desirable 250s out there, including the 250 Lusso, 250 GT California, and the Ferrari 250 GTO. Still, if you like 2+2 Ferraris in your collection, then the Ferrari 250 GTE would be a good addition. The 250 GTE can be found online for around $130,00-$150,000.


CarJunkie
Photo taken from a digital camera.

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