BEYOND THE ULTIMATE

To many, the Ferrari 250 GTO is the unsurpassed peak of all things automotive. But even Ferrari tried to improve on it, and chassis 5575GT is the last of all. Marc Sonnery delves into its incredible history

- Marc Sonnery

It is the apotheosis of a grand line. The 250 GT range was fundamental in establishing Ferrari in its hallowed position, and the legendary GTO was the culmination of everything it could offer. Yet then came the second series, or the '64 as it has come to be known, given its introduction two years on. And this is no subtle tweak of the GTO: it is not simply a case of race engineer sorcery hidden within identical bodywork. No, the '64 is just as much about the way it looks as what lies beneath. After two seasons of unparallelled sports car success, Ferrari sought improvement by changing everything you can see, as well as much of what you can't.

'I postulate that the '64 body was intended to align the 250 GTO visually with the 250 LM, which Ferrari then tried to get homologated as a development of the 250 GT Berlinetta,' says author and GTO authority Keith Bluemel. 'It had wider wheels and tyres and a wider track, so one would assume that it had superior cornering abilities. The '64 car was shorter, wider and lower. Overall power output remained about the same. Indeed the engine was practically unchanged, but then it was a true jewel, made of more than 5500 parts. Even the roller that runs against the cam lobe is equipped with needle bearings in competition engines: 14 per roller, 24 valves, so that's no fewer than 336 needles.