Ferrari 250 GTO
| Ferrari 250 GTO | |
|---|---|
 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis 3757GT) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ferrari |
| Production | 1962–1964 (36 produced) |
| Designer | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door berlinetta |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Power output |
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| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 4,325 mm (170.3 in) |
| Width | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) |
| Height | 1,210 mm (47.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 880–950 kg (1,940–2,094 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ferrari 250 GT SWB |
| Successor | |
The Ferrari 250 GTO is a V12 front engine grand tourer produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category that required at least 100 made within 12 months, including 250 GT SWB that had been homologated in June 1960.
The "GTO", which stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for "Grand Touring Homologated"., was powered by Ferrari's Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine with 250 cubic centimeters displacement of each of its cylinders, thus 3 liter in total.
As Ferrari had convinced the rule makers of FIA/CSI (and the Le Mans ACO) to count in earlier 250 GT SWB cars, just 36 GTOs were manufactured between 1962 and 1964. This includes 33 cars with 1962–63 bodywork (Series I) and three with 1964 (Series II) bodywork similar to the Ferrari 250 LM. Four of the older 1962–1963 (Series I) cars were updated in 1964 with Series II bodies.
When new, the 250 GTO cost $18,000 in the United States, with buyers personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and his dealer for North America, Luigi Chinetti. This model has become highly desired by collectors and sales have repeatedly set price records. The current record for world's most expensive Ferrari was set in June 2018 when a 1963 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) was sold in a private sale for $70 million.
In 2004, Sports Car International placed the 250 GTO eighth on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, and nominated it the top sports car of all time. Similarly, Motor Trend Classic placed the 250 GTO first on a list of the "Greatest Ferraris of All Time". Popular Mechanics named it the "Hottest Car of All Time".