1955 Ferrari 250 EUROPA GT “ALLOY COMPETIZIONE”

Introduced at the 1954 Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari 250 GT Europa was conceptualized as an everyday, comfortable sports and Grand Touring car, oozing with luxury and comfort. This model was aimed at the exclusive and affluent Ferrari clientele. The elegant yet functional design by Pinin Farina set the tone for Ferrari’s most iconic designs throughout the 1960s. Out of 43 units produced, only two featured aluminium bodies, making this one of the rarest Ferrari variants.

Available to buy from the guys at German luxury car specialists, Schaltkulisse, this breathtaking 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT “Alloy Competizione”, is the 16th of the 43 units, and stands out even within this limited production. It is one of the two aluminium-bodied versions and was equipped with a competition-grade engine for one of Ferrari’s most distinguished clients of that era, His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.

This car’s mechanical specifications were highly customised and intended to merge road performance with racing capabilities, including numerous performance enhancements. Interestingly, it was nicknamed “Casino” by factory workers, likely a nod to the complex and challenging nature of its unique build.

The car underwent significant work in 2010, including a top-end engine rebuild by Goinin Moteurs, France, and a gentle refresh of its paintwork. In 2015, chassis 0387 GT left Europe for the first time, joining a renowned collection of significant Ferraris and Porsches. The new owner, while using it sparingly, ensured the Europa was in peak mechanical condition. In 2021, it was shipped to the West Coast for a comprehensive overhaul by Patrick Ottis and later Chuck Wray of Grand Touring Entreprises. This restoration, leaving no detail unattended, amounted to approximately $300,000.

Chassis 0387 GT, built to an exclusive ‘alloy competition’ specification for the notable client, His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, possesses a rich history and impressive provenance. This includes records and notations from famed Ferrari historians Antoine Prunet and Marcel Massini, along with factory correspondence and period photographs. This uniquely original Ferrari 250 Europa GT ‘Alloy Competizione’ offers an extraordinary opportunity for its next custodian.

Leo Davie