Why this section ?
Since I bought my first camera, I can say that I have shot countless cars.The vast majority are competition cars in situation.
While my interest is in endurance and GT racing (I saw my first 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1987), I have attended a lot of type of competitions, F1, Dragster, Drift, Rallies ......
The question of the classification of these photos is very quickly asked. Like many, I started by storing in photo albums and on hard drives by switching to digital.
But how do you find and follow the evolution of a car over time? Of course group by type. Okay ! It's a beginning. But once all the photos of, for example, Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto alias SWB end up stacked how to recognize them?
That’s when I looked at the Chassis numbers. Here too nothing is simple.
Clones are made for their rightful owners to compete without fear for their authentic models, without counting on duplicates, continuations from manufacturers (Jaguar with the E-Type Lightweight or Aston Martin with the DB4 GT Zagato "Continuation") or creations starting from the original Chassis of another model (Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupé mounted on an AC Cobra Chassis).
Although it doesn’t bother me overmuch, I rather to see a continuation or a beautiful clone than not see this model at all, I’m not a fundamentalist of the original bolt, but I like to know what I’m dealing with.
So I created a photo base for myself, trying to get as close as possible to reality. I am neither a historian nor an expert, I am a passionate enthusiast, I love cars.
My first way to find the Chassis N° is the car itself, on the meetings I look for the manufacturer plates, if the owner is present I ask him, I immerse myself in my library (a few hundred books plus a few thousand magazines) and of course on the internet (my favorite sources Ultimatecarpage, Barchetta, Arthomobiles, the Chassis Register and of course RSC).
Now that this work is moving forward what to do with it? Keep it selfishly for me until I die or share it with you?
If I am writing this column you guessed it, it’s not to say "sorry I’m keeping everything to myself".
This retrospective of my meetings is just a best of. Errors may have been (probably) insidiously sneaked into this chronicle and the following, do not hesitate to let me know.
We will start with the one I used as example, the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto, more commonly known as the Ferrari 250 SWB (Short Wheel Base) Berlinetta.
Some numbers
Production (According to the sources the figures are not identical, but very close to 2/3 units)
1959
Three cars (all competition alloy models)
1960
Sixty cars (Forty-four competition, Sixteen street steel models)
1961
Sixty-six cars (Twenty-five competition, Forty-one street)
1962
Thirty-six cars (Three comptition, Thirty-three street)
Some technicals data
Engine : Front longitudinal 60° V12
Size : 2.953 cc (3000)
Unitary : 246.10 (250)
Maximum power : ~270/280 bhp at 7.000 rpm
Chassis : Elliptical section steel tubes
Wheelbase : 2.400 mm (SWB)
Kerb weight : 960 Kg (dry)
Chassis 1613GT Competition
Second Chassis produced
Exhibited at the Turin show in 1959
Here in Albi during the 10th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2001
Chassis 1785GT Competition
Ninth Chassis produced
In Albi during the 6th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 1997
Chassis 1811GT Competition
1960 - Garage Francorchamps for Jean Blaton "Beurlys"
Le Mans Classic 2012
Chassis 1917GT Competition
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2019
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2020
Chassis 1999GT Competition
1960 - completely destroyed due to a crash at Le Mans before the start of the Tour de France
1978 - new car was built - using the same number, replica by Fantuzzi
Circuit Paul Ricard 1998
Chassis 2067GT Street
4 times rebodied
1960 delivery with SWB body
later - rebodied by Drogo, never raced
1980 - rebodied again this time with a GTO-like body
1992 - rebodied by Terry Hoyle in alloy - 3rd time and this time in wrong material, features and shape
20?? - rebodied again in steel
In Albi during the 6th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 1997
In Albi during the 14th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2005
Chassis 2069GT Street
1961 - crashed in a road accident by Fierlant
1961/1962 - wrecked front left Chassis replaced by Chassis parts from another wrecked SWB Berlinetta, Chassis stamped 2445GT
Le Mans Classic 2012
Chassis 2111GT Street
Prototype series 61
In Albi during the 4th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 1995
In Albi during the 6th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 1997
Chassis 2129GT Competition
1960 - Tour de France winner with Willy Mairesse/Georges Berger
In Le Mans 1998
In Albi during the 13th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2004
In Nogaro during the 20th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2011
In Albi during the 24th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2015
In Ledenon and Paul Ricard during the 25th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2016
In Albi and Pau Arnos during the 26th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2017
Chassis 2159GT Competition
In Albi during the 13th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2004
Chassis 2165GT Competition
1961 - 6h Auvergne circuit de Charade, crash, sent back to factory for repairs
Circuit Paul Ricard 1995
In Albi during the 6th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 1997
Challenge Ferrari Le Mans 2003
Chassis 2221GT Street
RHD ... changed to LHD, rebodied in alloy
In Albi during the 24th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2015
In Ledenon and Paul Ricard during the 25th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2016
Chassis 2289GT Street
In Albi during the 10th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2001
In Albi during the 14th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2005
Chassis 2419GT Street
In Albi during the 10th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2001
Chassis 2439GT Competition
1962 - rebuilt by Scaglietti, using the breadvan’s ex-body s/n 2819GT
198? - Lennart Persson restored the body for Tomson parts used from 2349GT
Nota replica exists based on 2673GT stamped 2439GT (in 1996)
In Nogaro during the 20th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2011
Chassis 2445GT Competition
1962 - severely damaged front hassis at Arnage
1963 - rebuilt by Drogo with Drogo bodywork and engine 1965GT
2015/2016 - restored back to original configuration with an new Berlinetta Scaglietti bodywork built by Carrozzeria Egidio Brandoli & C. of Montale, Italy
In Albi and Pau Arnos during the 26th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2017
Chassis 2551GT Street
In Albi during the 16th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2007
Chassis 2669GT Street
In Albi during the 10th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2001
In Albi during the 13th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2004
Chassis 2689GT Competition
In Nogaro during the 20th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2011
Chassis 2701GT Competition
1961 - SF factory test car
crash Le Mans practice
rebuild
In Albi during the 13th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2004
Chassis 2819GT Competition
1962 - converted to "Breadvan" by Drogo
Espíritu de Montjuïc Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya 2018
Chassis 2845GT Competition
SEFAC Hot rod
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2020
Chassis 3039GT Street
1961 - Baron Jacques de Fierlant Dormer as replacement for damaged 2069GT
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2018
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2019
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2020
Chassis 3073GT Street
In Albi during the 9th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2000
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2019
Chassis 3107GT Street
In Albi during the 9th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2000
Espíritu de Montjuïc Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya 2018
Chassis 3143GT Street
In Rabastens stage during the 22nd edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2013
In Ledenon and Paul Ricard during the 25th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2016
In Albi and Pau-Arnos during the 26th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2017
Chassis 3359GT Street
In Albi during the 9th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2000
In Albi during the 14th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2005
Chassis 3367GT Street
In Albi during the 6th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 1997
Chassis 3401GT Street
In Nogaro during the 20th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2011
Le Mans Classic 2012
In Ledenon and Paul Ricard during the 25th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2016
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2018
Espíritu de Montjuïc Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya 2018
Espíritu de Montjuïc Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya 2019
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2019
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2020
Chassis 3539GT Street
196? - totaled in a road accident
198? - replica created around "cross member"
In Nogaro during the 20th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2011
In Ledenon and Paul Ricard during the 25th edition of the Tour Auto by Peter Auto in 2016
Some replicas
Chassis 1483GT Street
1960 - Ferrari 250 GT Coupe PF, LHD
rebodied 250 GT SWB style
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2018
Espíritu de Montjuïc Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya 2018
Chassis 1933GT Street
1960 - Ferrari 250 GT Coupe PF, LHD
2001 - converted to 250 GT SWB by Carrozzeria Brandoli, Montale, IT
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2018
Espíritu de Montjuïc Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya 2018
1000 Tours circuit Paul Ricard 2019
This first 'I saw them' is over, I hope you enjoyed it ?
Tell me if you are in favor of other retrospectives, I have enough pertinent material but it takes time to choose the photos, scan them (for analog) cross-reference the information and try not to make too many mistakes.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this section.
I will do my best to correct them and also to make updates as I meet news.
You can contact me in French or in English at this address ray.of.hope.0931@gmail.com I count on you. Thanks'