1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe, Coachwork by Carrozzeria Ellena
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Ellena
Chassis no. 0861GT
Engine no. 0861GT
2,953cc SOHC V12 Engine
Triple Weber Carburetors
240bhp at 7,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*40th of 50 Ellena coupes built
*Numbers-matching example
*Colorado Grand participant
*Successful vintage racing pedigree
THE BOANO - ELLENA 250
By the end of the 1950s, road car production had ceased to be a sideline for Ferrari and was seen as vitally important to the company's future stability. Thus the 250, Ferrari's first volume-produced model, can be seen as critically important, though production of the first of the line - the 250 Europa, built from 1953 to '54 - amounted to fewer than twenty. Before the advent of the Europa, Ferrari had built road-going coupes and convertibles in small numbers, usually to special customer order using a sports-racing chassis as the basis. Ghia and Vignale of Turin, and Touring of Milan were responsible for bodying many of these, but there was no attempt at standardization for series production and no two cars were alike.
The introduction of the 250 Europa heralded a significant change in Ferrari's preferred coachbuilder; whereas previously Vignale had been the most popular carrozzeria among Maranello's customers, from now on Pinin Farina (later Pininfarina) would be Ferrari's number one choice, bodying no fewer than 48 out of the 53 Europa/Europa GTs built. Pinin Farina's experiments eventually crystallized in a new Ferrari 250GT road-car that was first displayed publicly at the Geneva Salon in March 1956. However, the Torinese carrozzeria was not yet in a position to cope with the increased workload, resulting in production being entrusted to Carrozzeria Boano after Pinin Farina had completed a handful of prototypes.
Ex-Farina and Ghia designer Mario Felice Boano had founded Carrozzeria Boano in 1954 together with his son Gian Paolo and partner Luciano Pollo. When father and son left for FIAT, Pollo was joined by Boano's son-in-law, Ezio Ellena and the company changed its name to Carrozzeria Ellena. 130-or-so Boano and Boano/Ellena 250GTs (all left-hand drive) were made between 1956 and 1958.
These cars represented a significant departure for Ferrari. Driver and passenger comfort were taken seriously for the first time; the interior was more luxurious, seats were broader and there was less noise intrusion. By this time there was also synchromesh in the gearbox, which, combined with a softer ride and light steering, was exactly what was expected by the increasingly important North American market.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Initiated on January 7th, 1958, this beautiful Ferrari Ellena coupe is the 40th of 50 cars bodied by Carrozzeria Ellena. Originally sold to Sig. Antonio Fiorani in Modena, shortly thereafter 0861 GT was imported to the United States by Luigi Chinetti Motors in 1959. In 1970, after several years spent in Evanston, Illinois, this black Ellena was purchased by a collector in Texas, who would own the car for 32 years.
After over three decades in Texas, this Ferrari coupe changed hands and the new owner immediately focused on the mechanical fortitude of the car, commissioning a mechanical restoration by Andy Greene Sports and Vintage Race Cars in Savannah, Georgia. Upon completion, 0861GT was entered in the 2003 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, unfortunately it was never displayed because of the severe weather. Over the next several years, this 250GT was enjoyed competitively in vintage racing events, including at least 6 First in Class finishes at Lime Rock Park.
This car was used as a true weekend racer, it would be driven to the track, win its class, then be driven home, a testament to its reliability. Further, this Ellena participated in the 2008 Colorado Grand, a 1,000-mile drive through the Rocky Mountains over the course of 5 days, where it performed admirably. Today, This car is very well presented throughout, cosmetically and mechanically. The Carrozzeria Ellena bodywork is straight and the lustrous black paint suits the sinuous body.
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1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Ellena
Chassis no. 0861GT
Engine no. 0861GT
2,953cc SOHC V12 Engine
Triple Weber Carburetors
240bhp at 7,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*40th of 50 Ellena coupes built
*Numbers-matching example
*Colorado Grand participant
*Successful vintage racing pedigree
THE BOANO - ELLENA 250
By the end of the 1950s, road car production had ceased to be a sideline for Ferrari and was seen as vitally important to the company's future stability. Thus the 250, Ferrari's first volume-produced model, can be seen as critically important, though production of the first of the line - the 250 Europa, built from 1953 to '54 - amounted to fewer than twenty. Before the advent of the Europa, Ferrari had built road-going coupes and convertibles in small numbers, usually to special customer order using a sports-racing chassis as the basis. Ghia and Vignale of Turin, and Touring of Milan were responsible for bodying many of these, but there was no attempt at standardization for series production and no two cars were alike.
The introduction of the 250 Europa heralded a significant change in Ferrari's preferred coachbuilder; whereas previously Vignale had been the most popular carrozzeria among Maranello's customers, from now on Pinin Farina (later Pininfarina) would be Ferrari's number one choice, bodying no fewer than 48 out of the 53 Europa/Europa GTs built. Pinin Farina's experiments eventually crystallized in a new Ferrari 250GT road-car that was first displayed publicly at the Geneva Salon in March 1956. However, the Torinese carrozzeria was not yet in a position to cope with the increased workload, resulting in production being entrusted to Carrozzeria Boano after Pinin Farina had completed a handful of prototypes.
Ex-Farina and Ghia designer Mario Felice Boano had founded Carrozzeria Boano in 1954 together with his son Gian Paolo and partner Luciano Pollo. When father and son left for FIAT, Pollo was joined by Boano's son-in-law, Ezio Ellena and the company changed its name to Carrozzeria Ellena. 130-or-so Boano and Boano/Ellena 250GTs (all left-hand drive) were made between 1956 and 1958.
These cars represented a significant departure for Ferrari. Driver and passenger comfort were taken seriously for the first time; the interior was more luxurious, seats were broader and there was less noise intrusion. By this time there was also synchromesh in the gearbox, which, combined with a softer ride and light steering, was exactly what was expected by the increasingly important North American market.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Initiated on January 7th, 1958, this beautiful Ferrari Ellena coupe is the 40th of 50 cars bodied by Carrozzeria Ellena. Originally sold to Sig. Antonio Fiorani in Modena, shortly thereafter 0861 GT was imported to the United States by Luigi Chinetti Motors in 1959. In 1970, after several years spent in Evanston, Illinois, this black Ellena was purchased by a collector in Texas, who would own the car for 32 years.
After over three decades in Texas, this Ferrari coupe changed hands and the new owner immediately focused on the mechanical fortitude of the car, commissioning a mechanical restoration by Andy Greene Sports and Vintage Race Cars in Savannah, Georgia. Upon completion, 0861GT was entered in the 2003 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, unfortunately it was never displayed because of the severe weather. Over the next several years, this 250GT was enjoyed competitively in vintage racing events, including at least 6 First in Class finishes at Lime Rock Park.
This car was used as a true weekend racer, it would be driven to the track, win its class, then be driven home, a testament to its reliability. Further, this Ellena participated in the 2008 Colorado Grand, a 1,000-mile drive through the Rocky Mountains over the course of 5 days, where it performed admirably. Today, This car is very well presented throughout, cosmetically and mechanically. The Carrozzeria Ellena bodywork is straight and the lustrous black paint suits the sinuous body.
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