Unveiling itself as a distinctive vehicle, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan emerged from a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB with chassis number 2819 GT. Its development was targeted towards challenging the more modern 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at renowned competitions like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and various races within the FIA World Sportscar Championship.
The inception of the Breadvan can be linked back to a dispute between Enzo Ferrari and his principal executives, resulting in a team of employees, including engineers Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlo Chiti, transitioning to another racing group known as Scuderia Serenissima under the leadership of Count Giovanni Volpi of Misurata.
Under the guidance of Bizzarrini and Chiti, the Scuderia Serenissima team endeavored to enhance Ferrari’s 250 GTO, building on their expertise. They commenced the project by revamping the chassis 2819GT, a racing SWB 250 crafted for Le Mans and preceding the GTO. Bizzarrini meticulously integrated the successful traits of the GTO, like dry sump lubrication, a more centrally positioned engine, and a unique body sculpted by Piero Drogo’s workshops.
The unveiling of the Breadvan took place at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Carlo Maria Abate and Colin Davis steering the wheels. Despite the organizers categorizing it in the prototype class rather than the GT class, the Breadvan managed to outpace the Ferrari 250 GTOs and clocked a speed that was 7kph (4.3 mph) faster on the Mulsanne Straight stretch. Regrettably, the race for the Breadvan came to a halt after only four hours due to a drive shaft failure.
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