A rare 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe, one of only three examples bodied by automobile coachbuilder Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale, has surfaced for auction and is expected to realize as much as $5,000,000 USD by the hammer’s drop.
The vehicle stands as a remarkable artifact, representing the dawn of the most celebrated vintage model in Ferrari‘s storied history, the 250 GT. As for the specific vehicle up for auction, chassis number 0295 EU, it marks the inception of the legendary 250 GT lineage and also distinguishes itself as the very first 250 road car produced.
First unveiled at the 1953 Paris Salon, showcasing its unique design by Giovanni Michelotti, which drew inspiration from the Vignale-bodied 340 Mexicos. Its striking Rosso Rubino paint, complemented by dark Amaranto red coves, embodied Ferrari’s bold step toward establishing a consistent model line, which eventually evolved into the revered 250 GT/L Lusso of the mid-1960s. This vehicle’s journey began with its creation powered by a Gioacchino Colombo-designed V-12 engine, which, through its various iterations from 1947 to 1964, underscored Ferrari’s engineering prowess and reliability.
Chassis 0295 EU’s significance is further underscored by its rarity, being one of only three 250 Europa coupes bodied by Vignale and one of just two equipped with the 3L Colombo 250 V-12, marking it as a prototypical example of Ferrari’s grand touring vision. After making its debut, the car found its first home with Robert Teakle in Detroit, Michigan and over the years, it passed through the hands of several American owners before a comprehensive restoration began in the mid-1980s.
Now, this exceptional example of Ferrari’s heritage is up for auction as part of RM Sotheby’s upcoming Miami 2024 auction, taking place on March 2, during the debut of its MODAMiami event.
