1959EngineeringVERIFIED

The 250 GT Short Wheelbase Defines a New Road-Racer Formula

October 1959 — Paris Motor Show

Ferrari presents the 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto at the Paris Motor Show, combining a 2.4-metre wheelbase, Colombo V12 power and Pinin Farina design in a car developed for both road and competition use.

A Ferrari 250 GT SWB in competition at the Trieste–Opicina hill climb.

Unknown photographer — Wikimedia Commons — Public domain

Ferrari 250 GT SWB in competition, illustrating the short-wheelbase road-racer introduced in 1959. · Unknown photographer — Wikimedia Commons — Public domain

Automotive significance

The short-wheelbase 250 GT reduced the wheelbase of the earlier long-wheelbase berlinetta by 200 mm and incorporated a more developed chassis and competition-focused engineering. Ferrari’s own specification lists a 2,953.21 cc V12 and 2400 mm wheelbase. The model became an important bridge between the 1950s 250 GT programme and the more specialised competition GT development of the early 1960s.

Heritage meets live inventory

See the Ferrari story in the cars that survive today.

Heritage explains why a car matters. Project Apex inventory shows what is actually available now. Only live, non-demo inventory is shown here.

No live Ferrari inventory is published on Project Apex right now.

The historical collection remains useful even when current stock is empty. Buyer Demand can monitor for the car you actually want.

Buyer Demand

Looking for a specific Ferrari model or generation?

Start with the marque, add the exact model and specification, and let Project Apex monitor real inventory.

Back to Ferrari Heritage