Ferrari 250: Testa Rossa and 250 GT SWB – the golden era in 1:18
One number, two legends
At Ferrari, the number 250 stands for a whole era. It denotes the displacement per cylinder of the famous Colombo V12 — twelve cylinders of roughly 250 cc each make the three litres with which Ferrari ruled sports-car and GT racing in the late 1950s. Two cars from this family are now in our shop: a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa model with the legendary pontoon-fender body and a 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto (SWB), both by CMC in 1:18.
The Testa Rossa: the red head
The name is quickly explained: Testa Rossa means "red head", after the red-painted valve covers of the twelve-cylinder. The story behind it is a rule change. Because the FIA planned to limit sports racers to three litres from 1958, Ferrari began development in 1957. Its heart was the Colombo V12 from the 250 GT, reworked to 2,953 cc and 300 hp at 7,200 rpm, fed by six Weber twin-choke carburettors. The Testa Rossa became one of the most successful sports racing cars of all time: World Sportscar Champion in 1958, 1960 and 1961, and a three-time Le Mans winner.
Its face comes from Sergio Scaglietti. The deeply drawn-in front fenders — the "pontoons" — were there to cool the front drum brakes and gave the car an unmistakable look. Only 19 of these "Pontoon Fender" cars were built in 1957/58 for private customers and racing teams, plus four Scuderia works cars.
The model: CMC M-071
CMC hand-assembled the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa "Pontoon Fender" from 1,638 parts. The removable engine hood is secured with quick-release catches plus leather straps and reveals the twelve-cylinder with all ancillaries, lines and cabling. Spoke wheels on aluminium rims with individually laced stainless-steel spokes, two-eared Borrani central locks, massive brake drums with star-shaped air inlets, a stainless-steel fuel tank with fine rivet structure and a wired relay board in the cockpit show how far CMC goes. The paintwork is brilliant Ferrari red.
The 250 GT SWB: road car and race car in one
While the Testa Rossa was a pure-bred sports racer, the 250 GT Berlinetta embodied the family's other side: the Gran Turismo you could drive to the circuit, win with and drive home. From the mid-1950s to the early 1960s the 250 GT Berlinettas dominated the big GT class — first with the long wheelbase, then from 1959 with the short one as the "passo corto" (SWB). Around 165 were built by 1962. Drivers such as Stirling Moss, Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, John Surtees and Maurice Trintignant made it famous.
The model: CMC M-046
CMC presents the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB as the street version (Stradale) in Lusso trim, hand-assembled from 1,141 parts. The hinged engine hood with self-locking stay reveals the V12; add a fine metal-mesh grille, high-gloss chromed metal bumpers, fender louvres, leather bucket seats, a Nardi steering wheel in wood look and a carpeted cabin. Underneath, the steel tube frame, the independent front suspension and the leaf-sprung rigid rear axle are reproduced, right down to the brake and fuel lines with electric fuel pump.
What collectors should check
Both models have delicate small parts. On the Testa Rossa, check the leather hood straps and the spokes; on the 250 GT SWB, the filigree metal wipers and the chromed bumpers. And as always, a complete original box adds value.
Why these two?
Together the two models tell what the 250 engine could do: once as a 300-hp sports racer for Le Mans, once as an elegant GT coupé for road and track. Both are no longer available from CMC, and both are with us in near-mint condition with a near-mint box. For Ferrari's Formula 1 story, see our post 75 years of Ferrari in Formula 1. At AMS you buy in CHF, with an honest condition report and insured shipping within Switzerland.