1961, 250 GT SWB Berlinetta (CMC, diecast)
Presented in Paris in October 1959, the short-wheelbase 250 GT Berlinetta epitomised the ideal road racer. With just a few minor touches (colder spark plugs, racing tyres and a roll-bar), the car could take to any circuit and battle it out for a class win.
Designed by Pininfarina and built in collaboration with Scaglietti, the first cars were bodied in aluminium, although later this material was only used for the racing versions. With numerous victories to its credit, this remains one of the best-loved Ferraris ever.
The 1960 version of the 250 GT Berlinetta was designed by Pininfarina and built at the Scaglietti works in Modena. It was first presented to the public at the 1959 Paris Salon, and bore a body style very similar to that of the late series (now termed ’Interim’ to differentiate them) berlinettas produced during that year, apart from the omission of the quarter window in the sail panel behind the door glass. The new model was built on a 2400 mm wheelbase chassis, with factory type reference 539, later 539/61.
The designations ‘passo lungo’ or ’LWB’ for the long-wheelbase 2600 mm chassis and ‘passo corto’ or ‘SWB’ for the short-wheelbase 2400 mm chassis, were later adopted to distinguish between the two series. The chassis construction followed the familiar practice of twin, large oval section longitudinal members, with substantial cross bracing and a rectangular section front cross member.
Suspension was independent coil spring and wishbone at the front, with a rigid rear end featuring semi-elliptic leaf springs and radius arms to locate the axle, and hydraulic shock absorbers all round. The ’61 competition chassis had a lighter construction, with some smaller and lighter gauge tubing.
auto.ferrari.com
