This Ferrari 250 GT V12 engine dates from the early Nineteen Sixties, it was initially fitted to a Ferrari 250 GTE, but it surely was later fitted to a Ferrari 500 TRC in substitute of its authentic four-cylinder engine.
The Colombo V12
Ferrari’s Colombo V12 is likely one of the most well-known engines in historical past, it was developed by Italian engineer Gioacchino Colombo for Enzo Ferrari within the late Nineteen Forties and it was initially in-built 1.5 liter type.
Over the course of its 1947 to 1988 manufacturing run the Colombo V12 can be utilized in Ferrari Components 1 automobiles, Ferrari manufacturing automobiles, and Ferrari sports activities racing automobiles together with each the 250 TR “Testa Rossa” racing automobile and the Ferrari 250 GTO.
Gioacchino Colombo (heart) with two Ferrari mechanics on the Monza Circuit in Italy. Picture courtesy of Ferrari.
The displacement would improve from the unique 1.5 liters all the way in which as much as 4.8 liters, and the engine is at the moment remembered as virtually definitely the only most necessary Ferrari engine of all time.
By the requirements of the Nineteen Forties, when it was first designed, the Ferrari Colombo V12 was a sophisticated engine. It was designed to be light-weight with an alloy block and heads, it had a single overhead cam per financial institution which elevated to 2 cams in some functions by the Nineteen Fifties.
The sheer number of automobiles that varied iterations of the Colombo V12 had been fitted too was in all probability distinctive in automotive historical past, the engine powered all the pieces from Components 1 automobiles and Le Mans winners to Eighties-era GT automobiles just like the Ferrari 412 and all method of different automobiles in-between.
The Colombo V12 Engine Proven Right here
As famous additional up, the Colombo V12 you see right here was initially fitted to a Ferrari 250 GTE within the early Nineteen Sixties. The GTE was the marginally longer wheelbase automobile within the 250 GT collection that was initially conceived as a result of Enzo Ferrari wanted a automobile that might accommodate himself, his driver, his spouse, and their pet canine.
This engine has been upgraded to partial 250 Testa Rossa specification, together with uprated heads, purple cam covers, and correct-style carburetors.
In consequence the 250 GTE has a extra snug and spacious backseat and a barely greater roofline. In Ferrari custom the “250” mannequin identify got here from the displacement of a single cylinder, on this case 250cc which when multiplied by 12 provides you 3,000cc – the displacement of the 250 GTE’s V12.
Though 250 GTE costs at the moment are rising, in years previous the mannequin has typically been seen as much less sporting and subsequently much less fascinating. In consequence many had been transformed into 250 GTO replicas, and a few had been stripped for elements or to swap their engines into extra collectible Ferraris.
This engine was pulled from the GTE it got here in to be fitted to a Ferrari 500 TRC after its authentic four-cylinder engine was misplaced in Cuba within the Nineteen Fifties. Earlier than set up the engine was upgraded to partial 250 Testa Rossa specification, together with uprated heads, purple cam covers, and correct-style carburetors.
The Colombo V12 design was modified considerably over its 41 12 months manufacturing run, early variations had been simply 1.5 liters and later examples would have displacements of 4.8 liters.
Extra just lately it was rebuilt by Neil Twyman Ltd in 2017, it now produces 256 bhp at 7,000 rpm with 209 lbs ft of torque at 5,250 rpm and it comes with a 4-speed Ferrari 250 GT Lusso gearbox.
The Ferrari 500 TRC has now been given a period-correct four-cylinder engine and so this Colombo V12 is now in search of a brand new residence.
It’s now attributable to be provided by Gooding & Firm on September third in London with a value information of £100,000 – £120,000 which works out to roughly $117,000 – $140,600 USD. In case you’d prefer to learn extra about it or register to bid you may go to the itemizing right here.
All pictures copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Firm. Photographs by Matt Howell.

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