1956 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France
The 250 GT Berlinetta, nicknamed the "Long
Wheelbase Berlinetta", was also called the "Tour de France"
after competing in the 10-day Tour de France automobile race. Seventy-seven
Tour de France cars were built, of which a number were sold for GT races
from 1956 through 1959. Construction was handled by Carrozzeria Scaglietti
based on a Pinin Farina design. The engine began at 240 PS but
eventually rose to 260 PS.
At the 1956 Geneva Motor Show, Scaglietti displayed
their own 250 GT prototype, which became known as the limited-production,
Series I, "no-louvre" 250 GT Berlinetta. The first customer car was
built in May 1956, with production now the responsibility of Scaglietti in
Modena. Fourteen "no-louvre" and nine "14-louvre" Series I
and II Berliettas were made.
There were four series of 250 GT Berlinettas. In
mid-1957 the Series III cars were introduced, with three louvres and covered
headlights. Eighteen were produced. The 36 Series IV cars; retained the covered
headlights and had a single vent louvre. Zagato also made five
"no-louvre" superlight cars to Ugo Zagato's design.
