Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ 14-Louvre
250 GT Berlinetta “Tour de France” 14-Louvre
Driving his own 14-Louvre Berlinetta, Olivier Gendebien won the 1957 Tour de France with co driver Lucien Bianchi. The model was thereafter known as the Tour de France in honor of this victory.
For the 1957 season Ferrari revised their 250 GT Berlinetta including a new body design that had 14 distinct louvres on the rear sail panel.
These 14-Louvre cars also had a lower front noses, a more distinct rear fender line, a large cold air induction scoop, and a flat rear window compared the wrap-around version used on the earlier cars. Some of these cars had small bumperettes with small rubber strips.
Built in from November 1956 to July 1957, nine Ferrari 250s featured the 14-louvre bodywork including 0585GT, 0597GT, 0607GT, 0629GT, 0647GT, 0677GT, 0683GT, 0703GT and 0707GT. All of these cars currently survive except 0647GT which was broken up be Ed Niles in 1967.
Pictures
Se full 1956 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ 14-Louvre Gallery here
Sources & Further Reading: Pourret, Jess. Ferrari 250 GT Competition Cars. Foulis 1977.“”
Specs & Performance
| type | Racing Car |
| production years | 1956 – 1957 |
| built at | Maranello, Italy |
| body stylist | Pinin Farina |
| coachbuilder | Scaglietti & C. |
| production | 9 |
| predecessor | 1953 Ferrari 250 MM |
| engine | Tipo 128C 60º V12 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Silicon Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Triple Weber 36DCL3 |
| displacement | 2953 cc / 180.2 in³ |
| bore | 73 mm / 2.87 in |
| stroke | 58.8 mm / 2.31 in |
| compression | 9.2:1 |
| engine designer | Gioacchino Colombo |
| power | 186.4 kw / 240 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 81.27 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 224.3 bhp per tonne |
| redline | 7500 |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Tipo 508 Tubular Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD w/LSD |
| wheel type | Borrani RW3077 Wires |
| front tires | 6.00×16 |
| rear tires | 6.00×16 |
| front brakes | Aluminum Drums w/ Hydrualic Assist |
| rear brakes | Unassisted Aluminum Drums |
| front wheels | F 40.6 x 12.7 cm / 16 x 5 in |
| rear wheels | R 40.6 x 12.7 cm / 16 x 5 in |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Longitudinal Half-Elliptic Springs, Lower Rods |
| curb weight | 1070 kg / 2359 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2600 mm / 102.36 in |
| front track | 1354 mm / 53.3 in |
| rear track | 1349 mm / 53.1 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| tran clutch | Multi-Disc |
| gear ratios | 2.48:1, 1.64:1, 1.231:1, 1.000:1 |
| top speed | ~241.4 kph / 150.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.2 seconds |
Sales & Auction Results
1957 Ferrari 250 GT 14-Louver Berlinetta 0703GT. An Important Competition Ferrari. The Ultimate Tour de France Variant. One of Only Nine Examples Built and Eight Remaining. 9th Overall and 4th in Class in the 1957 Mille Miglia. 4th Overall in the 1957 Coppa Inter-Europa. Matching-Numbers, Original-Bodied Example. Participant in the Inaugural Colorado Grand. Exacting Restoration by Noted Marque Specialist Dennison International. 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Award Winner. Eligible for the Best International Events Including the Mille Miglia. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Auction Source: Gooding & Company’s 2013 Pebble Beach Auction
1956 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ 0585GT – sold for $6,710,000 Very first of the second series 14-louver design. One of nine examples built. Featured in the Hollywood Classic, The Love Bug. Matching numbers, extensively documented, and complete with full Ferrari Classiche certification. Received a class award at the 2011 Quail Motorsports Gathering. Single ownership for 14 years and offered for the first time ever at auction. Pristine example of Ferrari’s most revered berlinetta. Auction Source: Monterey 2012 by RM Auctions
