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FERRARI PROFILE
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1953 Ferrari 250 Europa
A milestone Ferrari show pony finds a new stable
By Steve Ahlgrim
Chassis number: 0295EU
Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 that was successively
From its 1947 inception, Ferrari overwhelmingly relied on a
developed from its original 1.5-liter displacement to 1.9-, 2.3-,
2.6- and 2.7-liter configurations. In early 1952, the engine was
further enlarged with a single-cylinder volume approaching 250 cubic
centimeters, and the resulting 2,953-cubic-centimeter engine became
the first edition of the famous Colombo short-block 3-liter V12 — a
motor that in one form or another remained in production through 1964.
Unsurprisingly, the earliest 250 engines were utilized in competi-
tion cars, starting with the 250 Sport that Giovanni Bracco famously
flogged through the rain to win the 1952 Mille Miglia, and most im-
mediately leading to a short run of 250 MM berlinettas and spiders
that followed. A year later Ferrari finally installed the 3-liter V12 in
a luxurious grand-touring car intended solely for road use: this very
important Vignale-bodied Ferrari (0295EU), in what was essentially
the inception of the legendary 250 GT.
According to an authoritative feature article in Cavallino magazine
by Ferrari historian and Pebble Beach judge Alan C. Boe, and as cor-
roborated by the research of marque expert Marcel Massini, chassis
number 0295EU, presented here, is the very first 250 Europa built. It is
effectively the prototypical example of a 3-liter grand-touring Ferrari,
and it was one of just two that received the 3-liter Colombo V12.
Following its presentation at the 1953 Paris Salon, this fascinat-
ing Europa was sold to its first owner, Robert Teakle of Detroit, MI.
Over the next 18 years, the Ferrari passed through the care of seven
additional owners before being acquired in August 1971 by Gilbert
Walton of Danville, CA. In August 2008, the significant Ferrari was
purchased from Walton by Brian Hoyt, the well-known proprietor of
Perfect Reflections in Hayward, CA, one of the vintage-Ferrari niche’s
52 JUNE 2024 Sports Car Market
most respected restoration concerns. Aware that he had secured the
long-forgotten 1953 Paris Salon show car, Mr. Hoyt commenced an
exacting refurbishment that addressed every mechanical and cosmetic
consideration. The original Colombo 3-liter V12 was sent to the highly
respected marque specialist Patrick Ottis, who completely rebuilt the
important engine, including the installation of new pistons.
The owner wasted no time in exhibiting the magnificent Europa
on the show scene, beginning with presentation at the Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance in August 2015, where the car participated in the
very competitive Grand Touring Ferrari class. Five months later the
250 was shown at the Cavallino Classic, winning a Platinum Award and
the Elegance Cup for the finest coachbuilt Ferrari.
Ideal for enjoyment on major vintage-touring events and rallies, or
presentation at world-class concours d’elegance, this outstanding show-