Ferrari 250 Berlinetta SWB

The iconic Ferrari 250 GT SWB, is a true work of automotive art and deserves pride of place in the motorcar hall of fame. The “SWB” or “Passo Corto” was the result of a collaboration between the two great “Carrozzeria” who up until this point had shared claim to Ferraris greatest constructions, in the case of the “Passo Corto” it was to be designed by Pininfarina and constructed by Scaglietti – the result was stunning bodywork regarded as many as simply the ultimate example of “Form Follows Function”. Unlike the 250 GT Lusso, the “SWB” was very much intended for racing and 45% of the cars were thus bodied in lighter aluminium, the remainder in steel. As a result, this model is regarded as the Epitome of the gentlemen driver’s racing scene – a car that could be driven to the circuit raced extremely competitively and then driven home. Whilst it would be remiss to talk of the “SWB” and not mention the huge success that this celebrated model had in the greatest International Sports Races of its day, it must also be noted that several other cars never set so much as a tread of their tyre onto a Motor circuit.

Only 167 cars were manufactured between the years of 1959 and 1962; they all featured a 3-litre V12 engine (the Type 128 engine of the TDF was developed into the Type 168 that was used in the SWB), which produced up to 280bhp. The actual term “short wheelbase” derives from the 200mm cut from the TDF and earlier models, taking the measurement down to 2400mm. Ferrari would supply the 250 SWB bespoke to the customer’s specification and could build the car so it was favoured for either track or road use. The road going versions usually had steel bodies, whilst the competition cars were alloy-bodied and all 250 SWBs were fitted as standard with Dunlop disc brakes all-round.

Just 14 Right Hand Drive SWBs were built in total and of the 90 “street” SWBs built with a steel body, only 11 were produced in RHD. As this was one of the later cars built, it features many of more desirable features such as the fuel filler cap being on the left rear wing, quarter lights on the side windows, a flatter shape to the top of the side windows, teardrop-shaped front sidelights and a rear air vent in the roof. This car was completed in late 1962 and was a factory-supplied RHD example painted in a very and attractive shade of green. Supplied new to the USA, this example found its home through Chinetti Motors of Greenwich. The car spent the first 20 years of its life in the USA before export to Switzerland in the early 1980s.

This car was totally restored by DK during the 1990s to the highest possible standard. Since its restoration, the car has been continually maintained by DK Engineering and in 2011 the Classiche Certification process was undertaken and successfully awarded (with a red book) crucially showing the engine, gearbox and axle to be the original items that the car was supplied with.

Sold by DK Engineering to its three most recent custodians, this example has since featured in numerous magazine articles and has been shown with success at some of the world’s most prestigious Concours D’Elegance; at Salon Prive in 2012 the car was awarded as “The Most Elegant Car” by the judging panel. Since its restoration, this SWB has been maintained with no expense spared in house and the car’s expansive history file supports this. During 2013, the car received a full engine and a rear axle rebuild ensuring that this example is undoubtedly one of the best driving SWB’s, the perfect complement to its great cosmetic condition. The car is resplendent once more in its original colour - Verde Tevere, a colour originally borrowed from the Maserati palette and today the car is back in this fantastic and striking colour complimented by a tan leather interior and complete with a tool kit.

Most recently this very car was raced at the 2019 Goodwood Revival, piloted by three-time Le Mans champion André Lotterer with DK's James Cottingham throughout the sunset race. A mid-race puncture meant the podium was out of sight this time around. It is accompanied by a variety of spares for racing use, including a spare, race-prepped engine currently fitted to the car for (the original is presently removed and offered alongside).

A rare opportunity to acquire a RHD SWB all the more so for the car to be in such a stunning, yet exciting original colour, Classiche Certified, UK registered and ready to be enjoyed by its next owner on road or track alike.