Ferrari 250 GTO

This article is about the 1962–1964 GT racing car. For the 1984–1987 Group B racing car, see Ferrari 288 GTO.
Ferrari 250 GTO
1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT)
Overview
ManufacturerFerrari
Production1962–1964
(36 produced)
Designer
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style2-door berlinetta
LayoutFR layout
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Power output
  • 300 PS (296 hp; 221 kW) @ 7500 rpm
  • 294 N⋅m; 217 lbf⋅ft (30 kg⋅m) @ 5500 rpm
Transmission5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length4,325 mm (170.3 in)
Width1,600 mm (63.0 in)
Height1,210 mm (47.6 in)
Curb weight880–950 kg (1,940–2,094 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFerrari 250 GT SWB
Successor
Rear view of 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis 3451GT)

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a grand tourer produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. It was powered by Ferrari's Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine. The "250" in its name denotes the displacement in cubic centimeters of each of its cylinders; "GTO" stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for "Grand Touring Homologated".[4][5][6]

Just 36 of the 250 GTOs were manufactured between 1962 and 1964. This includes 33 cars with 1962–63 bodywork (Series I) and three with 1964 (Series II) bodywork similar to the Ferrari 250 LM. Four of the older 1962–1963 (Series I) cars were updated in 1964 with Series II bodies.

When new, the 250 GTO cost $18,000 in the United States, with buyers personally approved by Enzo Ferrari[7][8] and his dealer for North America, Luigi Chinetti.[citation needed] This model has since become highly desired by automobile collectors and sales have repeatedly set price records.[9][10][11][12] The current record for world's most expensive Ferrari was set in June 2018 when a 1963 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) was sold in a private sale for $70 million.[13]

In 2004, Sports Car International placed the 250 GTO eighth on a list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, and nominated it the top sports car of all time. Similarly, Motor Trend Classic placed the 250 GTO first on a list of the "Greatest Ferraris of All Time".[14] Popular Mechanics named it the "Hottest Car of All Time".[15]

  1. ^ "1962 - 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO specifications". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  2. ^ "1962 Ferrari 250 GTO specifications". carfolio.com. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  3. ^ "1962 Ferrari 250 GTO detailed specifications". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  4. ^ Bluemel, Keith. (1998). Ferrari 250 GTO. Pourret, Jess G. Bideford, Devon: Bay View Books Ltd. ISBN 1-901432-15-7. OCLC 41014319.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pourret1987 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Jenkinson, Denis (March 1963). "The development of the 250GT Ferrari". Motorsport Magazine. 39: 36.
  7. ^ Petrány, Máté (2018-06-27). "The Road & Track Guide to Buying a $45 Million Ferrari 250 GTO". Road & Track. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  8. ^ Solomon, Michael. "Luxury Lineage: A Brief History of the Ferrari 250 GTO". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  9. ^ "Ferrari GTO Becomes Most Expensive Car at $35 Million". bloomberg.com. June 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Reyburn, Scott (3 October 2013). "Ferrari GTO Becomes Most Expensive Car at $52 Million". bloomberg.com. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  13. ^ Strohl, Daniel (June 5, 2018). "Ferrari 250 GTO sells for $70 million, becomes world's most expensive car". Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  14. ^ "The Greatest Ferraris of All Time - Coupe - Motor Trend Classic". Motortrend.com. 2010-12-13. Retrieved 2011-08-19.
  15. ^ Tate, James. "The 100 Hottest Cars of All Time". Popular Mechanics Magazine. Hearst Men's Group. Retrieved 26 September 2015.