They’ve kept away from the out-and-out racers, like the 250 Testa Rossa and the 250LM (which will be covered in a later issue), but brought together examples of all the major road cars. This is a range that encompasses a staggering variety of body styles, built by masters of coachbuilding such as Vignale, Pininfarina and Zagato. There are clear links between the models, but chassis changed, wheelbases altered and levels of trim varied enormously. Surprisingly, given that the cars are named ‘250’ by the cubic capacity of one cylinder of their 3-litre V12s, there are even two different engines used in the range, but Ferrari have always delighted in teasing aficionados with their nomenclatura.

An enlarged version of the Gioacchino Colombo-designed ‘short-block’ V12 as used in the very first Ferrari powered the first 250 a Vignale bodied coupé that was initially named the 250S. This was the car with which Ferrari entered and won the 1952 Mille Miglia - all subsequent versions of the 250S were named as 250 Mille Miglias.

However, the Europa was the true start of the model line, because it was the first of the Gran Turismos, aimed at fast cross-country touring and introduced in 1953. Surprisingly, it used the other Ferrari V12, the Lampredi designed unit (which powered the Scuderia's first Grand Prix winner). Soon, it became clear that Ferrari customers needed a little less in the way of thoroughbred behavior from their Grand Tourers, and the Europa was phased out by the similarly named but otherwise quite different GT Europa, which reverted to the Columbo-designed unit!

The Series' stuck with this engine through the rest of the range which included tipos guaranteed to make any enthusiast's mouth water, from the Tour de France, SWB and California through to the GTO, surely the most charismatic GT ever. The Series' ended with the 250 Lusso – often said to be the best-looking 250 ever produced.

When one looks at the 250 range and compares them to the somewhat corpulent and over-styled (in the writer's opinion) current model range, Ferrari (and others) could do well to look back at their timeless elegance and above all, simplicity. Meanwhile, we suggest that you invest in a copy of "Octane" and enjoy the stunning pictures of cars from an era when designers knew when to put their pencil down!