Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

Here at Ultimatecarpage.com it is not 'Casual Friday' today, but 'Ferrari Friday' as we take a renewed look at two remarkable prancing horses. First up is one of the biggest surprises of the recent Paris Motor Show; Ferrari California. It is not that we did not know it was going to be there, but rather we were surprised by just how good it looked in person. Earlier this year, when we highlighted the 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet, we already suggested that Ferrari needed a new luxury drop-top. At first we were a little skeptical if the new California would fit that bill and at Paris we found out it did, despite its steel folding roof. The only point of criticism is the name 'California,' which was originally used for the Spartan and competition derived roadsters. The new California is neither, but a fantastic addition to the Italian manufacturer's range nonetheless.
The history of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB 'Breadvan' is a little less straightforward, but ever so interesting. Based on a 1961 competition 250 GT SWB chassis, it was transformed by Ferrari's former employee Giotto Bizzarrini to what he believed could beat Ferrari's own GTO. The result was a very, very quick racing car. It has however gone into history for its unusual appearance, which the French believed resembled a 'camionnette,' or 'Breadvan.' Needless to say the name stuck, making it one of the best known Ferraris of the era. Recently the car was brought back to full running order as can be seen in our spectacular gallery showing the Breadvan in action at Goodwood last month.

Enjoy the links:

1961 - 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB 'Breadvan' - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Ferrari California - Images, Specifications and Information

Regards,
Wouter Melissen