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First introduced in 1959, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB quickly built up a reputation on the world’s race circuits. In 1960, the car’s first full race season, it achieved class wins at Brands Hatch, Goodwood, Le Mans, Monza and Spa.
In 1961 Ferrari introduced some modifications to the 250 GT SWB in an effort to keep it competitive, giving the engine bigger valves and a higher compression ratio as well as high-lift cams and twin-choke carburettors.
The success of these modifications meant that the 1961 chassis 2689GT has an interesting history and story to tell.
The car was first owned by Pierre Noblet, an amateur racer, and was in fact a replacement for chassis 2021GT, one of the original 250 GT SWBs, which was badly damaged at Clermont-Ferrand by his friend Pierre Damay. Being a true gentleman, as they were back in those days, Damay ordered a new 250 GT SWB to replace the one he damaged. The new car was delivered in early 1961 but too late for the pre-Le Mans test. However, Noblet managed to have the car ready for the race itself. Along with fellow amateur racing driver Jean Guichet, the two drivers were undeterred and drove the 250 GT SWB to an impressive class-winning third place overall, only beaten by two factory-run Ferrari 250 TRI/61s.
The car’s racing career was a short one, but it did go on to win at Monza and on the old Brussels street circuit before being exported to America, where the car unfortunately fell into disrepair.
The car has however now been fully restored to its ’61 specification and is currently owned by much respected Californian car collector Bruce Meyer.
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB is certainly considered to be one of the all-time greatest Ferraris, and perhaps even the greatest of all sports cars ever produced. The 250 GT SWB handled superbly on the road and was near-invincible in the GT racing category, giving Ferrari the title for GT Manufacturers in 1960 and 1961, and is today, over half a century later, one of the most coveted cars ever produced in Maranello. This was a car that even by today’s standards was quick, being able to achieve the 0-60mph sprint in just 6.7 seconds and go onto a top speed of 158mph.
1994 Volkswagen Transporter 57 D SWB Auto-Sleeper Trophy camper.
No previous keepers. Supplied by Bowers Motor Caravans, Harpenden. One of those odd Auto-Sleeper conversions with an added overhanging section of rear bodywork.
Ferrari 250GT SWB (1960) Engine 2953cc V12 Production 176
# 68 Clive Joy + Kilian Konig
FERRARI SET
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623665054999...
Most 250 road cars share the same two wheelbases, 2,400 mm (94.5 in) for short wheelbase (SWB) and 2,600 mm (102.4 in) for long wheelbase (LWB). with most Convertibles built on the SWB chassis. They also share the same Colombo designed Tipo 125 V12 2953cc engine, a lightweight engine producing up to 296bhp in the Testarossa and GTO models.
The 250 GT Berlinetta SWB was introduced in 1959 as a GT racing car, using the shorter 2400mm wheelbase. With both steel and aluminium bodies, depending on road (lusso) or racing trim, with engine output ranging from 237 to 276bhp.
The developement of the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta was handled by Giotto Bizzarrini, Carlo Chiti, and young Mauro Forghieri, the same team that later produced the 250 GTO. Disc brakes were a first in a Ferrari GT, and the combination of low weight, high power, and well-sorted suspension made it a competitive offering. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October and quickly began selling and racing. The SWB Berlinetta claimed GT class of the Constructor's Championship for Ferrari in 1961.
Shot at Donington Historic Festival, 6th May 2012 Ref: 84-171
This short wheelbase version is the second chassis for the U437 project. All the hardpoints are the same as the long wheelbase.