Performance Review: Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 - [1959]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 250 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1959. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 and the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato.This particular Ferrari 250 has a 2953cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 250 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 250's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1277 kgs (2815 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 250 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2953cc 24V V12 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 181 lb-ft (245.4 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 250 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen (212.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 250.

The Ferrari 250 has a Power to weight ratio of 187.9 bhp per ton and 141.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1959 250 competing with the 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen (212.9 bhp per ton) or the 1966 Jaguar E Type 2+2 4.2L (212.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 250 generating around 141.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (166.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (166.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 250 and the 2009 Audi A5 S5 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 250 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.3 secs @ 95.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Audi A5 S5 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet (14.25 secs), the 1967 Dodge Dart GTS Hardtop 6.3 V8 383 (14.25 secs), and the 1970 Ford Falcon 4th Gen 351 V8 4-speed (14.26 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1959 version of the Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 has a maximum speed of 150mph.

Top Speed of the 1959 250 equals the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 then how about the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph), the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (161 mph), or the 2011 Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo (161 mph).

Related Links:

1959 250 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison