Ferrari 250 GT Interim - 1959

Later examples of Ferrari's 250 GT Tour de France were given updated front-ends that would be continued in the model's successor the 250 GT SWB, though the 1950s tail-fins of the TDF were dropped in favour of a 'fastback' coupe rear. At the end of 1959, while ushering in the new model, the final seven long wheelbase TDFs were given a new rear-end with no fins, testing out the design of the 250SWB and showcasing the transition into the new design principle, while using the traditional chassis. As such, they were given the 250 GT Interim moniker.

The Interim bridged the gap between the 250TDF with the tail-fin rear, below left, and the fastback 250SWB, below right. Interims are slightly longer than the latter and distinguishable by the rear quarter-light behind the side windows.

For the 250TDF, on which the Interim is based go here: Ferrari 250 GT TDF (Tour de France)

For the Interim's successor, the 250SWB go here:

Ferrari 250 GT TDF (Tour de France)

The Tour de France was a newly styled version of Ferrari's staple V12 250 chassis, introduced to commemorate the marques win in a historic French motor race of the same name and intended primarily for GT racing. 84 were produced between 1956 and 1959.

1st. Gen - 1956 - 1958 - The 250TDF was constantly under development so no two cars were quite alike, with things like body-trim and roof-height varying throughout the model's lifespan. The overall body shape remained the same however, as the original 1956 version, pictured below, with covered headlights and tail-fin rear.

2nd. Gen - 1959 - The final year of production saw a redesign of the front-end, to accommodate uncovered headlights and improve visibility, which had become required by Italian law, though the finned rear-end stayed.

The facelift to the later model appears to have defined Ferrari's new design principle, employed in the TDF's successor, the 250 GT SWB, although the tail-fins were dropped. In the final days of the 250TDF's production the factory built 7 updated versions with no fins to test and usher in the new 250SWB body on the older, long wheelbase platform. These very special crossover models were known as the 250GT Interim, below left. A handful of TDF's were also given an aerodynamic makeover by styling-house Zagato, known as the 250GTZ, below right.

For an overview of the 250 series go here:

For the GT Interim crossover version of the 250TDF go here: Ferrari 250 GT Interim - 1959

For the Zagato restyled 250GTZ, based on the TDF go here: Ferrari 250GTZ (Zagato)

Ferrari 250GTZ (Zagato)

This was a low-drag aero-bodied version of the 250TDF (Tour de France) racing coupe, developed by Zagato in 1956, marking the start of their design partnership with Ferrari. 5 were produced.

For the 250TDF GT racer on which the 250GTZ is based go here: Ferrari 250 GT TDF (Tour de France)

For the 2006 575GTZ that evokes the 250GTZ's design go here: Ferrari 575GTZ (Zagato)

Ferrari 575M Superamerica

High-volume convertible 'spider' version of Ferrari's then flagship 575M Maranello grand tourer, introduced in the final year of the model's production from 2005 to 2006.

The Supamerica featured an electrochromic roof, where the transparency can be varied electrically. The roof also peels back to rotate over into the boot recess. Both these features were production car firsts. Ferrari claimed it was the fastest available open-top car available at the time, with a 199mph top speed.

Video of the roof:

For the standard coupe 575M Maranello grand tourer go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

Ferrari 575GTZ (Zagato)

In 2006 Ferrari commissioned Italian styling firm Zagato to produce a dramatically re-styled one-off model of their flagship at the time, the V12 575M Maranello, for an esteemed customer in Japan.

The body was completely redesigned to evoke the 250GTZ, a handful of Ferrari 250s modified by Zagato in the 1950s, pictured bottom. It also seemed to set Ferrari's new design principle for their following GT cars, the 599 and smaller 612 Scaglietti.

Ferrari 250GT Zagato on which the 575GTZ's design is based:

For the standard 575M Maranello grand tourer go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

For the 1956 250GTZ on which it is based go here: Ferrari 250GTZ (Zagato)

Ferrari 575GTC

The 575GT Competizione were a handful of stripped-out racing car versions of Ferrari's then flagship 575M grand tourer, developed in 2003 by the factory itself, unlike its Prodrive built predecessor, the 550GTS, though strikingly similar in design.

Used again by privateers in GT racing, 575GTC achieved some success on track, but ultimately it never proved as competitive as the 550GTS and had bowed out of racing completely by 2005.

For the standard 575M Maranello V12 grand tourer go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

For the race-car predecessor to the 575GTC, the 550GTS, go here: Ferrari 550GTS

Ferrari 550GTS

In 2001, Ferrari commissioned tuning firm Prodrive to develop 10 stripped-out track-only versions of the V12, front-engined 550 Maranello grand tourer, to be raced by privateer teams in various GT series, particularly the Le Mans 24hr.

The body got a dramatic redesign to accommodate the widened track-width and serious aero gear for downforce, while the engine got moved further back and the weight lowered to under 1100kg.

For the standard 550 Maranello GT-car go here: Ferrari 550 Maranello / 575M Maranello

For the race-car successor to the 550GTS, the 575GTC go here: Ferrari 575GTC