The Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ – originally named the 250 GT Berlinetta – sired a dynasty of road and race Ferraris that were hugely successful in the 1950s and ’60s, and today command the car world’s top prices. Without the 250 ‘TdF’, there would be no 250 GTO, no SWB, no California Spider… However, the Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the most iconic Ferraris ever. Produced from 1962 to 1964, only 39 examples were built, making it one of the world’s rarest and most sought-after cars. Produced from 1962 to 1964, only 39 examples were built, making it one of the world’s rarest and most sought-after cars. At the 1959 Paris Salon, Ferrari introduced the short-wheel-base (SWB) Berlinetta as an out-and-out competition car. On the stand was 1539GT, a car which is sometimes referred to as the prototype due to its distinguishing features (or lack thereof). 1539GT was devoid of fender vents, fender blinkers, front cooling ducts and recessed license An advantage in racing is a very precious thing, something that Enzo Ferrari knew well indeed. The creation of the now legendary Ferrari 250 LM was born out of a desire to dominate. During the 1960s Ferrari needed to replace the aging 250 GTO, with Enzo reluctantly accepting that mid-engined cars were the future. The Ferrari GTO is the direct descendant of the Ferrari 250 GT. The lineage goes back to October 1954 with the introduction of the Europa GT. The Europa GT evolved into the 250 GT SWB (Short Wheel Base) as seen in the above photo with with number 33 (s/n 2733) leading GTO s/n 3909 GT. Enzo Ferrari claimed the GTO was only part of the 250 GT SWB Altogether, only 36 Ferrari 250 GTO models were ever produced. Each model is currently accounted for, with notable owners over time including the likes of Ralph Lauren, jewelry heir Gianni Bulgari, and the WeatherTech founder and CEO David MacNeil who paid a reported $70 million for his 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO. The Ferrari 250 GTO was Ferrari's most successful racecar of all time. It took in more than 500 competitive races and had victories in Tour de France, Targa Florio and Le Mans. There have been only 39 examples of the 250 GTO ever made. Having raced at Le Mans 15 times in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, he drove some of Ferrari’s most iconic cars, including the 250 Testa Rossa, the 250 LM, the 250 GTO, and the 330 P4, among others. The 6.0 liter V12 engine produced 661 bhp at 8,250 rpm and 457 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. All this extreme power would see the car make 0-62 mph in under 3.3 seconds and hitting a lightning quick top speed of 208 mph. At the time, this was the fastest ever road car. Ferrari 599 GTO. The Ferrari 250 GTO is a racing GT car which was produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. In May 2012 the 1962 250 GTO made for Stirling Moss became the world's most expensive car in the history, selling in a private transaction for $38,115,000 to US communications magnate Craig vjqxhiZ.