Description
The Ferrari 250 Europa Cabriolet by Pinin Farina is one of the rarest and most refined expressions of Ferrari’s early venture into grand touring elegance. Built in 1953 as a one-off or in an extremely limited production—sources often cite just a single known example—the cabriolet version was based on the 250 Europa chassis and outfitted with bespoke open-top coachwork by Pinin Farina.
Like its coupé sibling, the 250 Europa Cabriolet was powered by the 3.0-liter Lampredi V12 engine, a unit originally designed for Ferrari’s larger displacement racing cars. Producing around 200 horsepower, the engine was smooth, powerful, and well-suited to luxurious long-distance driving. A four-speed manual transmission transmitted power to the rear wheels, and the car was capable of reaching speeds near 210 km/h (130 mph), making it one of the fastest open-top touring cars of its time.
The cabriolet retained the long-wheelbase chassis of the 250 Europa, ensuring excellent ride quality and a stable grand touring character. Suspension consisted of independent front wishbones and a live rear axle, while large drum brakes provided the stopping power, appropriate for a car designed more for fast cruising than all-out racing.
Pinin Farina’s design for the cabriolet was both elegant and commanding. The long hood, flowing fenders, and low-slung stance echoed the coupé’s styling but with a more open, breezy character. The front featured the familiar egg-crate grille and rounded headlamps, while the rear design was clean and understated. With the top down, the car had a graceful, uninterrupted profile, highlighting its luxurious touring intentions.
The interior was trimmed in high-quality leather with fine attention to detail, including a beautifully crafted dashboard featuring classic Jaeger gauges and refined chrome accents. Every element inside the car reflected bespoke craftsmanship, tailored to the individual tastes of its buyer.
Given its rarity—perhaps even a one-off—the 250 Europa Cabriolet by Pinin Farina stands as an exceptional piece of Ferrari history. It bridged the gap between Ferrari’s early racing heritage and its emerging role as a maker of high-performance luxury vehicles. This cabriolet also foreshadowed Ferrari’s future success with open-top touring cars, paving the way for later models like the 250 GT California Spider.
Today, the 250 Europa Cabriolet is regarded as a crown jewel among early Ferraris—celebrated for its beauty, exclusivity, and historical significance in establishing Ferrari’s dual identity as both a racing legend and a builder of world-class grand tourers.