The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan is a unique car derived from a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB with chassis number 2819 GT. It was specifically engineered to compete with the new 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other races in the FIA World Sportscar Championship.
The creation of the Breadvan began following a disagreement between Enzo Ferrari and his top executives which led to a number of employees, including engineers Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlo Chiti, leaving to work for another race team, Scuderia Serenissima, led by Count Giovanni Volpi of Misurata.
The Scuderia Serenissima team, including Bizzarrini and Chiti, sought to develop an improved version of Ferrari’s 250 GTO, drawing on their previous experience. They started by modifying chassis 2819GT, which was a competition SWB 250 designed for Le Mans and the direct predecessor to the GTO. Bizzarrini then incorporated the successful features of the GTO, such as dry sump lubrication, a lower, more centrally positioned engine, and a radical body designed by Piero Drogo’s coachworks.
The Breadvan made its debut at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Carlo Maria Abate and Colin Davis. Despite being placed in the prototype class instead of the GT class due to organizational pressure, the Breadvan outpaced the Ferrari 250 GTOs and achieved a speed 7 kph (4.3 mph) faster on the Mulsanne Straight. Unfortunately, the car had to retire after four hours due to a drive shaft failure.
Image Source: Fabrizio Annovi @ Shutterstock
