"1959 Ferrari 250GT SWB Berlinetta : Classic Sports Car Suitable for Road and Track"

1959 250GT SWB Berlinetta

I do not understand why so many people called him one of the most beautiful Ferrari. 250GT SWB Berlinetta For me it was terrible that she the beautiful Ferrari that match from the late 60s. But from the standpoint of the SWB Berlinetta pilot was undoubtedly the best of his time. It was probably the last classic sports car suitable for road and track at the same time. From the perspective of the automobile historian SWB Berlinetta marked the end of a great time. Since then, street cars and race cars in two different ways.

1959 250GT SWB Berlinetta Cornering Manuver

Late 50, 250GT “Tour de France,” began to lose competitiveness in the race. Enzo Ferrari realized that the need for improved cornering agility of their cars. Therefore shorten the wheelbase of 2600 mm to 2400 mm and created the short wheelbase (SWB) version of the 250GT. Pininfarina design looked more muscular (and brutally) as a result. Most of the 165 cars were built, complete with a steel body, but 75 units, produced by the aluminum housing for better performance Scaglietta idea.

1959 250GT SWB Berlinetta Engine

The SWB coupe was equipped with the latest version of the Colombo V12 2953cc installed. But with one overhead camshaft per cylinder bank and 73 x 58.8 mm, bore x stroke dimensions, the engine was heavily revised with new heads and block the intake and exhaust manifolds, distributors, spiral valve springs, higher compression and larger Weber carburetors. The result was 280 horsepower at 7,000 revolutions per minute in the most powerful.

1959 250GT SWB Berlinetta Frame and Chassis

Benefited from the shorter chassis that weighed only 1050 kg of SWB, it is seen that with very high power to weight ratio. The top speed was about 152 kilometers per hour, while the 00-60 mph may occur in 6.2 seconds. Both figures were the best of his time. As for stopping the car was the first Ferrari to use disc brakes. This performance has improved in the way and was in the race results: the car swept the top four spots in the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans and claimed the GT World Cup next year and outperforming rivals Aston Martin DB4GT.

1959 250GT SWB Berlinetta Interior

The SWB Berlinetta won the best tradition of the 250GT series, that is, excellent handling and reliability. Its chassis was very well balanced, so that was skidding in curves, its basic instincts. Most riders took home at the racetrack, he enjoyed a weekend of success and victory at home. Quality versatile as it made it very attractive for collectors of vintage and classic car drivers.

White 1959 250GT SWB Berlinetta

The only weak point was the car’s aerodynamics. This has never been a critical issue for the 250GT earlier cars, but had picked up the BS as a top speed over 150 mph, was the impetus is a problem on fast roads. At high speed, the aerodynamic forces the nose up slightly and led to a moderate degree of understeer. Why not Ferrari on their laurels for long. In 1962 the SWB Berlinetta car has been even better, 250 GTO.

Red 1959 250GT SWB Berlinetta

Specification :

Model	250GT SWB Berlinetta
Year of production	1959-62
No. produced	165 units
Layout, Gearbox	Front-engined, Rwd, 4M
Engine	V12, sohc, 2v/cyl
Engine capacity	2953 cc
Power	280 hp
Torque	203 lbft
Weight	1050 kg
Top speed	152 mph (est)
0-60 mph	6.2 sec (est)