Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan

Last updated
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan (2819GT)
1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB 'Breadvan'.jpg
Category GT coupe
Designer(s) Giotto Bizzarrini and Giovanni Volpi
Technical specifications [1] [2]
Chassis Ferrari type 539 (250 GT SWB 1961) chassis
Wheelbase 2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Engine Ferrari 250 Tipo 168 Comp./61 3 litre V12 NA Front mid-mounted
Transmission 250 SWB four-speed
Weight935 kg (2,061.3 lb) (at 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans)
Tyres Dunlop Racing 600 L 15 & 650 L 15
Competition history
Notable entrants Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Serenissima
Notable drivers Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Olivier Gendebien
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Lucien Bianchi
Flag of France.svg Maurice Trintignant
Flag of Italy.svg Nino Vaccarella
Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Maria Abate
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Davis
Flag of Italy.svg Ludovico Scarfiotti
Edgardo Mungo
Debut1961 Tour de France Automobile with original berlinetta body
RacesWins Poles F/Laps
62 GT ClassN/AN/A

The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan is a one-off Ferrari made in 1962 from a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, chassis number 2819 GT. It was built to compete against the new 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other FIA World Sportscar Championship races.

Contents

Development

The Breadvan at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB Breadvan.jpg
The Breadvan at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed

In 1962, the engineer Giotto Bizzarrini was hired by Count Giovanni Volpi, owner of the Scuderia Serenissima racing team, to upgrade a Ferrari 250 GT SWB so it would be competitive with the then-new Ferrari 250 GTO. Enzo Ferrari had refused to sell any GTOs to Count Volpi, due to Volpi's hiring of former Ferrari employees at ATS. [3] [1]

The donor car for this project was a 250 GT SWB Competition, serial number 2819 GT. This car had previously competed in the 1961 Tour de France, where it took 2nd place overall driven by Olivier Gendebien and Lucien Bianchi. [4] The car was sold by Gendebien to Volpi shortly afterward for use with Scuderia Serenissima. As with other competition-spec SWBs, this car had a lightweight body and chassis, minimal trim, and a more powerful 286 bhp Tipo 168 engine with Testarossa-type heads. [2] [1]

Bizzarrini applied all the ideas he had developed working on the GTO and together with the car body specialist Piero Drogo developed an aerodynamically advanced body, even lower than the GTO's, with the roof line dramatically extended to the rear end following Kamm aerodynamic theory. The resulting shooting-brake appearance led to the French press nicknaming it "La Camionnette" (little truck), while the English-speaking journalists called it the "Breadvan." [3] [1]

Bizzarrini moved the engine and radiator further back to the center of the chassis than the GTO, and lowered it by fitting a dry sump system. The original three 46 DCN Weber carburetors were replaced with six twin choke 38 DCN Webers. The original 4-speed gearbox was retained. Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini of Modena were contracted to perform all the mechanical modifications and race preparation. The resulting car was significantly lighter than the GTO, at 935 kg (2,061.3 lb) compared to the typical GTO weight of 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb). [1]

Competition history

The rebodied Breadvan made its competition debut at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans. It quickly passed all Ferrari GTOs and was 7th overall during the 4th hour when a driveshaft failure caused its retirement. Results at other races proved the design's effectiveness, as the car won the GT class in two races during the 1962 season. The car's last race in period was at the Coppa Gallenga Hillclimb in 1965, however since 1973 it has appeared regularly at historic races worldwide, including events such as the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Tour Auto. [1] [5]

Complete race results 1961–1965 [1] [4] [6]
DateRaceCircuitTeamDriver(s)ResultNotes
September
14-23
1961
Tour de France Tour de France Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Ecurie Francorchamps Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Olivier Gendebien
Flag of Italy.svg Lucien Bianchi
2nd GT
2nd OA
with original 250 GT SWB body
October 22
1961
1000 km de Paris Montlhéry Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Serenissima Flag of France.svg Maurice Trintignant
Flag of Italy.svg Nino Vaccarella
3rd GT
3rd OA
with original 250 GT SWB body
June 23–24
1962
24 Hours of Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Serenissima Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Maria Abate
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Davis
DNFFirst race as Breadvan, was running 7th overall when drive shaft failed in 4th hour
August 6
1962
Guards Trophy Brands Hatch Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Serenissima Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Maria Abate
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Davis
1st GT
4th OA
August 26
1962
Ollon-Villars Hillclimb Ollon-Villars Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Serenissima Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Maria Abate 1st GT
4th OA
Set new GT course record of 4m 47.3s at 100.243 km/h
October 21
1962
1000 km de Paris Montlhéry Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Serenissima Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Davis
Flag of Italy.svg Ludovico Scarfiotti
3rd GT
3rd OA
November 11
1962
Puerto Rican GP Caguas, Puerto Rico Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Serenissima Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Manuel Bordeu DNSEntry withdrawn after death of Ricardo Rodríguez at the Mexican GP
March 28
1965
Coppa Gallenga Hillclimb Castel Gandolfo UnknownEdgardo Mungo9th OACar painted silver

Influence

The 250 GT SWB Breadvan's unusual but effective aerodynamics proved the Kamm tail design that would be used on many other racing cars, including the Ford J-car and the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ. [7]

Following the success of the Breadvan, two additional 250 GT SWB cars (S/N 2053 GT and 2735 GT) were modified for privateer drivers by Bizzarrini, Drogo, Neri and Bonacini, distinctively bodied with similar shapes. A third modified Ferrari was planned but not completed. [8] [9] [10] An Iso Rivolta, chassis number IR460368, was also rebodied by Drogo in a similar style to 2819 GT. [11]

Similar shooting brake designs were used on later Ferrari concept cars and production cars such as the 456 GT Venice and the Ferrari FF.

In 2018, Niels van Roij, car designer and coachbuilder, was commissioned to create an homage vehicle. A Ferrari 550 Maranello was the base vehicle. The design and realisation of the vehicle was documented and regularly released for public viewing by van Roij. [12] [13] [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dino (marque)</span> Motor vehicle

Dino was a marque best known for mid-engined, rear-drive sports cars produced by Ferrari from 1957 to 1976. The marque came into existence in late 1956 with a front-engined Formula Two racer powered by a brand new Dino V6 engine. The name Dino was used for some models with engines smaller than 12 cylinders, it was an attempt by the company to offer a relatively low-cost sports car. The Ferrari name remained reserved for its premium V12 and flat-12 models until 1976, when "Dino" was retired in favour of full Ferrari branding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand tourer</span> High-performance luxury car

A grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement. Grand tourers are most often the coupé derivative of luxury saloons or sedans. Many iconic car models, such as the Ferrari 250 GT, Jaguar E-Type, and Aston Martin DB5, are considered classic examples of gran turismo cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASA (automobile)</span> Motor vehicle

ASA was an Italian automobile manufacturer active from 1961 to 1969, who is known for manufacturing the ASA 1000 GT. This car was developed by Ferrari engineers in the late 1950s as a less expensive, compact alternative to existing Ferrari GT cars. ASA used inline-four and straight-six engines derived from the "250" 3-litre V12 designed by Gioacchino Colombo. The chassis was developed by Giotto Bizzarrini and was derived from the tubular frame chassis of the 250 GTO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250 GTO</span> Car model

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a grand tourer produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. It was powered by Ferrari's Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine. The "250" in its name denotes the displacement in cubic centimeters of each of its cylinders; "GTO" stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for "Grand Touring Homologated".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrozzeria Scaglietti</span> Italian automobile design and coachbuilding company

Carrozzeria Scaglietti was an Italian automobile design and coachbuilding company active in the 1950s. It was founded by Sergio Scaglietti in 1951 as an automobile repair concern, but was located across the road from Ferrari in Maranello outside Modena, Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250</span> Series of sports cars and grand tourers built by Ferrari from 1952 to 1964

The Ferrari 250 is a series of sports cars and grand tourers built by Ferrari from 1952 to 1964. The company's most successful early line, the 250 series includes many variants designed for road use or sports car racing. 250 series cars are characterized by their use of a 3.0 L (2,953 cc) Colombo V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo. They were replaced by the 275 and 330 series cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piero Drogo</span> Italian racing driver (1926–1973)

Piero Drogo was a racing driver and coachbuilder from Italy. He participated in one Formula One Grand Prix, debuting at the 1960 Italian Grand Prix. He moved on to form a carrozzeria in Modena to service the thriving sports car industry there. His Carrozzeria Sports Cars gained some fame later in the decade. He died in a car accident aged 46.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bizzarrini</span> Italian automotive manufacturer

Bizzarrini S.p.A. was an Italian automotive manufacturer. In 1964, the company was founded by former Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Iso engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. The company built a small number of highly developed and advanced sports and racing automobiles before failing in 1969. In 2020, it was announced that the name had been acquired by Pegasus brands, together with plans to restart production.

The Ferrari P was a series of Italian sports prototype racing cars produced by Ferrari during the 1960s and early 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giotto Bizzarrini</span> Italian automobile engineer (1926–2023)

Giotto Bizzarrini was an Italian automobile engineer who was active from the 1950s through the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa</span> Racing sports car built by Ferrari from 1957 to 1961

The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, or 250 TR, is a racing sports car built by Ferrari from 1957 to 1961. It was introduced at the end of the 1957 racing season in response to rule changes that enforced a maximum engine displacement of 3 litres for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and World Sports Car Championship races. The 250 TR was closely related to earlier Ferrari sports cars, sharing many key components with other 250 models and the 500 TR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giovanni Volpi</span> Italian-Algerian nobleman and former automobile racing manager

Count Giovanni Volpi di Misurata is an Italian-Algerian nobleman and a former automobile racing manager and Formula One team owner. He inherited a fortune, at the age of 24, from his father, Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, a politician financier and founder of the renowned Venice Film Festival. During World War II, Giovanni Volpi's father served in Benito Mussolini's cabinet as the minister of Finance and one of his chief advisors. He designed several of Mussolini's austerity measures and escaped prosecution after the war. His father also acquired and restored Villa Barbaro at Maser, Italy, built originally for the Barbaro family. Giovanni Volpi is the son of Giuseppe and his second wife, Nathalie El Kanoni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrozzeria Sports Cars</span> Italian coachbuilding company

Carrozzeria Sports Cars was a small carrozzeria in Modena, Italy, which produced sports and racing car bodies from 1960 until 1971. The company was founded by one-time Formula One driver, Piero Drogo along with coachbuilders Lino Marchesini and Celso Cavalieri. As the public face of the company, Drogo's name became synonymous with the cars produced by C.S.C., which are often referred to as "Drogo" bodies or designs. The workshop constructed bodies for many companies, racing teams and individuals including Scuderia Ferrari, Scuderia Serenissima, Iso and Giotto Bizzarrini. Financial difficulties led to the closure of Carrozzeria Sports Cars in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 24 Hours of Le Mans</span> 30th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race

The 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans was a motor race for Experimental cars and Grand Touring cars, staged at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France on 23 and 24 June 1962. It was the 30th Grand Prix of Endurance and the eighth round of the 1962 International Championship of Manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari Monza</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari Monza is one of a series of cars built by Ferrari. In the early 1950s, Ferrari shifted from using the compact Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 engine in its smallest class of sports racers to a line of four-cylinder engines designed by Aurelio Lampredi. Inspired by the success of the light and reliable 2.5 L 553 F1 car, the four-cylinder sports racers competed successfully through the late 1950s, culminating with the famed 500 Mondial and 750 Monza.

Neri and Bonacini, also known as Nembo, was a small carrozzeria and mechanic shop based in Modena, Italy, active from the late 1950s to around 1967. Founded and run by Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini, the shop worked on and produced bodies for Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati road and race cars, both in an official capacity for those manufacturers and for private owners. Their best known projects are the Ferrari 250 GT-based Nembo spiders and the Lamborghini 400GT Monza. Neri and Bonacini also designed a car under their own name, the Neri and Bonacini Studio GT Due Litri. Two prototypes of this car were made between 1966 and 1968 but it never entered series production. The shop closed around 1967 when Bonacini went to work for De Tomaso and Neri started his own shop, Motors-World-Machines (MWM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velo Rossa</span>

The Velo Rossa is a fibre reinforced plastic composite automobile body built by Reaction Research in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. It is designed to re-style the body of the 1970-1978 Datsun/Nissan S30 Z series cars. Front end appearance panels are replaced. Doors and rear external components are over-skinned after trimming out the wheel wells for wider tires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 330 TRI/LM</span> 1962 racing sports car

The Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Spyder is a unique racing sports car purpose-built in 1962 by Ferrari to achieve victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was the last Ferrari racing sports car with a front-mounted engine and the last of a series of Ferrari race cars known as the Testa Rossas. The "I" in its designation indicates that the car has an independent rear suspension.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250 GT Coupé</span> 1954–1960 grand touring car produced by Ferrari

The Ferrari 250 GT Coupé represented a series of road-going, grand touring cars produced by Ferrari between 1954 and 1960. Presented at the 1954 Paris Motor Show, the 250 Europa GT was the first in the GT-lineage. The design by Pinin Farina was seen as a more civilised version of their sporty Berlinetta 250 MM. Series built cars were an answer to the wealthy clientele demands of a sporty and luxurious Ferrari Gran Turismo, that is also easier to use daily.

Thomas Meade was an American automobile designer and dealer best known for his Thomassima series of custom cars based on Ferrari engines and chassis. He was based in Modena, Italy from the early 1960s through the early 1970s, where he met and collaborated with many Modenese carrozzerie, manufacturers and mechanics.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Boe, Alan; Sonnery, Marc; Volpi Di Misurata, Count Giovanni; Merritt, Richard (June–July 2003), "Breadvan", Cavallino, no. 135, pp. 40–58
  2. 1 2 Goodfellow, Winston (Feb 2007), "Flour Power", Forza, no. 75, pp. 50–55
  3. 1 2 "Nachtschicht im Schloss: A report on a concours d'elegance at Schloss Bensberg". Auto Motor u. Sport (in German). Heft 25 2010: Seite 39. 18 November 2010.
  4. 1 2 250 GT SWB Breadvan s/n 2819GT, Barchetta.cc, retrieved 3 May 2014
  5. Legendary Breadvan Revisits Legendary Race, Cavallino, 28 April 2014, archived from the original on 5 May 2014, retrieved 4 May 2014
  6. All Results of Chassis 2819GT [250GT] , retrieved 4 May 2014
  7. "Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto chassis 2819 "Breadvan" (1962)". The Cornea Impression. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  8. Pourret, Jess G. (1987), Ferrari 250 GT Competition Cars, Sparkford: Haynes, pp. 182–194, ISBN   0-85429-556-9
  9. 250 GT SWB s/n 2735GT, Barchetta.cc, retrieved 3 May 2014
  10. 250 GT s/n 2053GT, Barchetta.cc, retrieved 3 May 2014
  11. 1965 Iso Rivolta Breadvan, Silverstone Auctions , retrieved 3 May 2014
  12. Remember The Ferrari Breadvan Hommage Project? It's Almost Done, Christopher Smith, Motor1, 2020-11-30, accessed 2020-12-23
  13. Breadvan Hommage, Niels van Roij website, accessed 2020-12-23
  14. Breadvan Hommage - The Most Exciting Ferrari Build of this Decade !, Ratarossa, 2020-11-09, accessed 2020-12-23

Further reading