Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 (1962)

Launched at the Paris Auto Salon in 1960, the 250 GTE was the first production Ferrari 2+2. Borrowing its lengthy 2,600 mm chassis from that of the 250 GT PF Coupe and Cabriolet, there was enough room for two rear seats and a good-sized boot. The V12 moved 20cm closer to the nose of the car meant the car appealed to those looking for a grand tourer. The track was widened, improving both cabin space and roadholding abilities.
This recipe proved to be good enough for both Il Commendatore and Squadra Mobile; the Milan Flying Squad that ordered two cars new. With a prototype starring as the official course car at the 1960 Le Mans 24 hr, the GTE was officially launched four months later at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Still effortlessly fast, capable and practical, the Pininfarina clothed GTE was elegant and ideally suited to the more discerning Ferrari customer. 954 250 GTEs were built between 1960 and 1963 over three series, but just 46 were UK supplied RHD variants.
Sadly, owing to their mechanical similarities, many RHD GTEs have been lost forever being used as donor cars for their running gear and identities for replicas of other extremely valuable Ferraris of the era such as California Spiders, 250 SWBs, 250 GTOs and 250 TRs. Today it is thought fewer than 25 UK supplied examples remain as GTEs.