Description
The Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupé Speciale by Boano is a unique and elegant grand tourer from the mid-1950s, representing one of the earliest experiments with the 250 GT platform. While the 250 Europa GT was largely bodied by Pinin Farina, a small number of chassis were sent to other coachbuilders for custom commissions, and Boano’s Coupé Speciale stands out as a particularly striking example.
The 250 Europa GT was introduced in 1954 as a successor to the 250 Europa, marking Ferrari’s shift from the larger Lampredi V12 engines to the more compact and high-revving Colombo 3.0-liter V12. In the Boano Coupé Speciale, this engine produced around 220 horsepower, delivered through a four-speed manual gearbox. The shorter 2600 mm wheelbase chassis improved handling and made the car feel more agile compared to its Europa predecessor. With a top speed of over 220 km/h, it combined performance with a refined road-going character.
Boano’s design for the Coupé Speciale was distinctive compared to the Pinin Farina-bodied versions. It featured smoother, more rounded lines with a slightly more formal and less angular silhouette. The front end often had a unique interpretation of Ferrari’s egg-crate grille, flanked by subtle headlamp treatments and gently sculpted fenders. The rear was clean and balanced, with understated chrome details and a restrained, elegant taper. Boano’s style was slightly more conservative, but it had a timeless, understated charm.
The interior of the Coupé Speciale was tailored to the highest standards of the time. Luxurious leather seats, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a neatly arranged dashboard gave the cabin a warm and refined atmosphere. As with all Ferrari GTs of this era, the car was designed to serve as both a capable road racer and a comfortable high-speed touring car.
Only a single Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupé Speciale by Boano is believed to have been built, making it a true one-off. It was likely commissioned by a special client or built as a showpiece to demonstrate Boano’s design capabilities during a period when Ferrari was still collaborating with multiple Italian coachbuilders.
Today, this car stands as a fascinating chapter in Ferrari’s early grand touring history. It represents both the versatility of the 250 GT platform and the creative freedom given to Italy’s top coachbuilders in the 1950s. The Boano Coupé Speciale is prized for its rarity, elegant design, and place within Ferrari’s transition toward the legendary 250 GT Berlinetta and California models that would follow.