Launched in 1954, the 250 GT Europa spawned a line of exceptional Ferrari GT racers that could be driven to, and then excel, on the track. Power came from a 3 litre version of the Gioacchino Colombo short-block designed V12.
Continuously developed from then on, this engine would power many different racers and road cars, ranging from the most luxurious convertibles to the full blown Testa Rossa racers. The engine was fitted in a simple but strong steel tubular ladder-frame that was suspended by wishbones with a single leaf spring at the front and a live axle at the rear.
Not at all sophisticated, the GT car was designed to survive and win gruelling marathons on road and track. After the first series of cars were built in 1955, the Europa name was dropped and from then on the car was simply known as the 250 GT.
After a victory in the Tour de France rally in 1956, the name Tour de France (TdF) was unofficially adopted for all long wheelbase (LWB) cars built after the Europa GT. A very well deserved nickname, as the 250 GT went on to win the French race another eight years in a row.
No comments:
Post a Comment