| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1957 |
The Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1, produced in 1957, is a quintessential classic cabriolet that highlights Ferrari’s fine craftsmanship and elegant design during the golden era of automotive styling. This generation of the 250 GT series was designed by the renowned Italian design house Pininfarina, blending luxury, sportiness, and open-top driving pleasure. The car embodies the mid-20th-century Italian flair with its graceful lines, balanced proportions, and handcrafted details.
While specific detailed dimension data from that era can vary, typical measurements for the 250 GT Cabriolet are approximately 4,400 mm (173.2 inches) in length, 1,620 mm (63.8 inches) in width, and about 1,320 mm (52 inches) in height. The relatively compact size, combined with a low-slung and aerodynamic silhouette, gives the Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet a nimble yet statuesque presence on the road. Weighing roughly 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs), the lightweight build contributes to its spirited driving performance.
This cabriolet model features a luxurious open-top design with a soft folding roof, offering an immersive driving experience complemented by a powerful V12 engine typical of the 250 GT lineage. It stood out for its sophisticated chassis and elegant details, representing the transition period where Ferrari moved towards more refined road cars capable of grand touring as well as racing pedigree.
The 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 remains a highly prized collector’s classic, admired not only for its iconic styling and historical significance but also for its perfect proportions that balance aesthetics and engineering. It holds a special place in automotive history as one of the earliest Ferrari cabriolets crafted for enthusiasts who value bespoke design and performance combined in one timeless package.
Discover the standout features that make the 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet a leader in its class
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The Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1, produced in 1957, features classic mid-century grand touring proportions. It measures approximately 4460 mm (175.6 inches) in length, 1680 mm (66.1 inches) in width, and about 1350 mm (53.1 inches) in height. These dimensions give the car a sleek and elegant profile, characteristic of luxury cabriolets of its era. Its relatively compact size compared to modern grand tourers makes it agile, yet it retains the presence expected of a high-performance Ferrari GT car.
The Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 weighs approximately 1140 kg (about 2513 lbs), which was quite light for a grand touring car of the 1950s. This relatively low curb weight contributes positively to the car's agile handling and brisk acceleration. The lightweight construction alongside a powerful V12 engine enabled the Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet to perform impressively for its time, delivering a responsive and engaging driving experience typical of early Ferrari GT models.
The Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 has a wheelbase of 2600 mm (102.4 inches). This moderate wheelbase length strikes a balance between ride comfort and agile handling. A longer wheelbase generally offers a smoother ride over bumps and better high-speed stability, which is important for grand touring cars. Meanwhile, this wheelbase still allows for manageable turning radii and responsive cornering, maintaining the sporty character expected from a Ferrari GT car of the 1950s.
As a 2+2 cabriolet, the 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 is designed to seat four passengers, though rear seating is best suited for smaller adults or children due to the coupe-derived chassis. Interior room is cozy but luxurious, with quality leather and classic wooden details. Headroom and legroom in the front are sufficient for comfort, while rear occupants enjoy limited space, reflective of the era's emphasis on sporty design over rear-seat practicality.
At a width of 1680 mm (66.1 inches), the Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet is relatively narrow compared to some of its contemporaries, such as the 1950s Jaguar XK120 and Mercedes-Benz 300SL, which typically measured a bit wider. This narrower width contributes to the sleek styling and helps the car maintain nimble handling characteristics. It also reflected the design sensibilities of Italian grand tourers at the time, which favored elegance and aerodynamic grace.
Yes, the Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. Standard garages typically offer interior dimensions of about 2.4 to 2.7 meters (approximately 8 to 9 feet) in width, with lengths of around 5 to 6 meters (approximately 16 to 20 feet). Given the 250 GT Cabriolet’s length of about 4.46 meters (14.65 feet), width of approximately 1.68 meters (5.5 feet), and low height near 1.35 meters (4.43 feet), it easily accommodates the spatial requirements, allowing clearance for doors to open and ease of maneuvering.
The Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 followed earlier 250 GT models like the 250 GT Boano and Abarth specials from the early to mid-1950s. Compared to these predecessors, the Series 1 Cabriolet had refined dimensions that balanced elegance and road presence. While lengthwise, it maintained a similar footprint around 4.4 to 4.5 meters, the Pininfarina styling introduced more flowing and refined proportions. Width and height were consistent with the earlier chassis, but the Cabriolet’s design emphasized luxury and comfort enhancements, marking an evolutionary step rather than a radical change in size.
The Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 stands out from similar grand tourers of the 1950s with its elegant, low-slung profile and compact yet well-proportioned dimensions. At 4460 mm long and 1680 mm wide, it is smaller and narrower than some American and German grand tourers but shares a similar length with many Italian GT cars. Its Pininfarina coachwork is distinguished by a delicate balance between sportiness and luxury, with clean lines, restrained chrome trim, and beautiful curves, making it a quintessential Italian cabriolet. This size and design combination gives it superior agility compared to heavier competitors, while maintaining practicality and comfort for its time.
The 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 typically features a 2+2 seating layout, though the rear seats are relatively small and best suited for occasional use or small passengers. Luggage capacity is modest, consistent with its grand touring intentions, with a front boot (trunk) that holds enough space for personal belongings required on short to medium tours. While not extensive by modern standards, the luggage space combined with relatively comfortable seats and refined aesthetics makes the car quite suitable for elegant long-distance touring typical of its era.
Prospective buyers comparing the Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series 1 to other classic sports cabriolets should focus on its compact dimensions: approximately 4460 mm (175.6 inches) in length, 1680 mm (66.1 inches) in width, 1350 mm (53.1 inches) in height, and a wheelbase of 2600 mm (102.4 inches). These measurements contribute to nimble handling, elegant styling, and manageable parking—advantages over larger and heavier contemporaries. Additionally, its relatively light weight of about 1140 kg (2513 lbs) enhances performance compared to bulkier rivals. This combination of size, weight, and proportion is central to the car's charm and usability in classic car collections.
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