Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet Series II ~ 1959-62

From the early 50’s a few lucky customers already had owned Ferrari convertibles. These handmade convertibles created from the 212 Inters, to the Americas and Superamericas chassis were all tailor made and details could vary from one car to the next. It wasn’t until 1957 that Ferrari introduced its proper production series with its chopped off roof, the 250 GT PF Cabriolet from Pinin Farina (PF).

This Ferrari 250 Cabriolet can be distinguished in two very distinct series. The first of that series was built at 36 units only from 1957 to 1959 from a Pininfarina design and coachwork, but was refined by Sergio Scaglietti. Being all hand built and made to order, the first series was created for the lucrative American market. While they differentiate from one another in details, the first series was the inspiration for the design of the soon to come sublime 250 GT California Spyder.

After these now highly prized handmade first series 250 PF Cabriolets were built, Enzo Ferrari needed to standardize the 250 Cabriolet to increase production numbers. Pinin was called in again and this time the choice of chopping up a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT PF Notchback Coupe seemed to make the most sense for a small production run that started in 1959 with the Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet series II.

The chassis was the 2600 mm (102.4 in) wheelbase tubular chassis fitted with the usual independent double wishbone suspension with coil springs at the front. At the back a live rear axle with massive drum brakes all around were fitted behind a set of beautiful Borrani wire wheels.

The engine was the 3 liter (180 cu in) V12 Colombo single-cam unit producing 240 hp at 7000 rpm with the help of three Weber carburetors. The V12 was then linked to an all synchronized four speed gearbox with overdrive, allowing this beautiful Cabriolet to reach 135 mph (220 km/h) and 62 mph from a standstill in 7.1 seconds.

More on Pic 6

More on Pic 7

More on Pic 8

More on Pic 9

More on Pic 10

As for the design, the Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet received exposed headlights, rear finned out fenders with vertically slanted tail lights; a style later seen on MGBs and Peugeot 404 Coupes…

The interior was the same as the Coupe Notchback including a three branch wooden Nardi steering wheel. Behind it were two main Veglia dials with four smaller gauges placed in a square dice pattern.

The major difference between the Coupe Notchback and the Cabriolet models, aside from the obvious soft and hard top roof configurations, was that the Cabriolet had a raised rear fender shoulder line, which was flushed and linear on the Coupe. In 1960, disc brakes replaced the front drum units, while engine and performance stayed the same as the first series.

After successfully selling 201 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet series IIs, Enzo’s first "big volume" convertible production ended in 1962.

JJP.