Description
The Ferrari 250 GTO SWB “Breadvan” is one of the most famous one‑off competition cars in Ferrari history, instantly recognisable for its unconventional long‑roof profile and unique place in the 1960s GT racing world. Built in 1962, it was not an official Ferrari factory car but rather a heavily modified Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, commissioned by wealthy Italian aristocrat Count Giovanni Volpi di Misurata, owner of the Scuderia Serenissima racing team.
The Breadvan’s origins were rooted in a dispute. Volpi had been a significant Ferrari customer, but when he became involved in the rival ATS project—a breakaway team formed by former Ferrari employees after the so‑called “Palace Revolt” at Maranello—Enzo Ferrari refused to sell him one of the new 250 GTOs. Undeterred, Volpi sought an alternative. He purchased a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB and enlisted ex‑Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini to rework it into a GTO‑beater.
Bizzarrini’s approach was radical. The car was extensively lightened, the engine was moved further back for better weight distribution, and the 3.0‑litre Colombo V12 was tuned to produce around 300 horsepower, matching the output of the official GTOs. The most dramatic change was the bodywork. Designed with aerodynamics in mind, it featured a low, pointed nose and an abruptly cut‑off rear end following the Kamm tail principle. The long roofline and squared rear section, while scientifically sound for reducing drag, earned it the nickname “Breadvan” from the press and paddock.
The Breadvan debuted at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it impressed by running ahead of the factory GTOs early in the race before retiring with a driveshaft failure. Over the following years, it competed in numerous European endurance events, often proving faster in a straight line than Ferrari’s own cars. Its unconventional shape and private‑team origins made it a fan favourite and a thorn in the side of the Scuderia.
Only one Breadvan was ever built, and it has since become a cult icon. Its blend of rebellion, ingenuity, and performance ensures its place in Ferrari lore, while its striking silhouette makes it one of the most recognisable GT cars of the 1960s. Today, the Breadvan is celebrated at historic racing events and concours gatherings, serving as a reminder that innovation in motorsport can come from outside the factory gates as well as within.