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250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe Speciale
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  Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe Speciale      

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Country of origin:Italy
Produced in:1957
Numbers built:1
Designed by:Pinin Farina
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:January 02, 2019
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Click here to download printer friendly versionDuring the 1950s, Ferrari gradually started producing road cars around a standardised design. Naturally, the Italian manufacturer were happy enough to accommodate special requests from affluent and prominent customers. One of those customers was Belgian Princess Liliane de Réthy. For her, Ferrari had previously built a 342 America, while her husband, King Leopold, had also commissioned a custom road-going Ferrari version of the Le Mans winning 375 Plus.

In 1957, the Princess ordered a one-off Coupe, using the latest 250 GT chassis as the underpinnings. The specification used was identical to that of the recently introduced 250 GT Cabriolet. Accordingly, the Princess' Coupe featured a 240 bhp version of the Colombo V12 engine. Mated to a four-speed gearbox, it was mounted in a steel tubular frame with double wishbones at the front and a leaf-sprung live-axle at the rear.

Although around 40 of the first series 250 GT Cabriolet were built, this is not the best example of Ferrari's increased series production efforts as no two were alike. Also designed and built by Pinin Farina, the Liliane de Réthy's 250 GT Coupe Speciale included many cues from the Cabriolets like the small bumperettes at the front and the flush mounted taillights. The shape of the nose also includes a hint of the 250 GT 'Tour de France' competition cars.

Unique to this car was the roof, which was accentuated by ample chrome trim connecting the side and rear window moulds. Further chrome trim include the sizeable chrome vents on the flanks and the big rear bumper. The car was finished in Grigio Fumo Max Meyer, while the interior was upholstered with naturale Conolly Vaumol leather. Completed late in 1957, the unique 250 GT Coupe Speciale was delivered new its royal owner in January of 1958.

The Princess would retain the car for almost a decade, eventually replacing it with her third custom built Ferrari in 1967. Based on a 330 GTC, this was actually one of a handful similar cars built. One of the other 330 GTC Speciale customers was American heart surgeon Michael de Bakey, whom the Princess had met through her charity work. His brother Ernest was also a Ferrari enthusiast and as a thank you for his pioneering work, the Princess gifted him the 250 GT.

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  Article Image gallery (15) 0751GT Specifications