www.QV500.com - Ferrari 250 Europa Part 1: 250 Europa
 

250 Europa Pinin Farina Coupe chassis 0349 EU		 The Europa was Ferrari’s first concerted effort at building a series production Grand Touring car, this new model incorporating far greater uniformity with regard to its bodywork and interiors than had been seen on the likes of the 166, 195 and 212's. There were two distinct variations of the model, the first series of 20 cars being known simply as 250 Europa's, the second series of 44 cars being designated 250 GT Europa's. While both appeared outwardly similar, there were two important differences. A 2800mm wheelbase chassis and 3-litre Lampredi V12 were used for the first series cars, subsequent Europa GT's riding a 2600mm wheelbase frame and using a 3-litre Colombo V12.
   
Although the majority of were Pinin Farina Coupe's, the Turinese carrozzeria also clothed one solitary Europa with a Convertible body and a further seven GT's with bespoke Berlinetta designs. Vignale, so popular just a few months beforehand, clothed just four Europa's and one Europa GT (all as Coupe's) but like Touring and Ghia, they were the losers in Ferrari’s burgeoning relationship with Pinin Farina. The Europa's tubular steel ladder type frame was essentially the same as on the concurrent 375 America, an identical 2800mm wheelbase being required to accommodate the long-block Lampredi engine while front and rear track also went unaltered. Dimensionally, these were the largest Ferrari's yet and with the large front mounted engine producing a little excess understeer, early Europa's were rarely seen in serious competition. Engine-wise, although 3-litre versions of Colombo's 60° V12 had been used in a couple of sports racing cars, Ferrari chose to plumb a revised version of Lampredi's 4.1-litre V12 in. Displacement was 2963cc with a bore and stroke of 68mm x 68mm, output having been quoted as 200bhp at 6000rpm. Compression was set at 8.5:1 and three twin choke Weber 36 DCZ downdraught carburettors fitted as standard. The single overhead camshaft engine was coupled to a full synchromesh four-speed gearbox from the 342 America, this particular unit being preferred over the non-synchromesh five-speed crash box in the interests of comfort.
 


Pinin Farina's Convertible and Coupe Europa's

 Performance figures were impressive, a top speed of over 135mph and 0-60mph in under eight seconds marking the Europa out as one of the fastest genuine Grand Tourers of its time. Some Ferrari's were undeniably much faster, but over long distances, few were as a quick or comfortable as the Europa. Prior to this, Pinin Farina had bodied a relatively small proportion of Ferrari's compared to the likes of Vignale, Ghia and Touring. However, the Europa was the first major collaboration between these two great firms and began what has become a very special relationship that's seen the Turinese carrozzeria clothe almost every subsequent production Ferrari. Over-styling was a criticism rarely made of Pinin Farina designs from this period, the clean, simple and gently rounded profile of the 250 Europa (essentially the same as a 375 America) having been universally well received despite being undeniably conservative.
   
Somewhat inevitably, however, not all the Pinin Farina bodies were totally identical and a few got minor aesthetic modifications to the headlights, grilles, rooflines and windows. At least one car (chassis 0325 EU) was clothed with an all-alloy body, Pinin Farina also building a sole Convertible (on chassis 0311 EU), this car following the same basic principles as the Coupe but with a lower waist line giving a more sporting appearance. Inside, Ferrari were attempting to provide more standardised cabin appointments, the Europa coming equipped as a GT car for fast road touring rather than a weekend racer. The seats were comfortably padded and greater attention was paid to noise insulation than most Ferrari's, leather and fine carpeting having been used throughout. The general ambience was much more luxurious than Export or Mille Miglia variants, however, trim levels were never over-opulent which has put these Ferrari's in good stead over the years. Interestingly, Vignale was the first carrozzeria to fabricate a body for the 250 Europa (on chassis 0295 EU) and the firm subsequently went on to clothe three more. These were all completed as Coupe's and are something of an acquired taste. Vignale fans appreciate them as stunningly executed designs while other historians have derided the styling of 0313 EU in particular. They are eminently interesting even if sometimes a little over-adorned and are immediately recognisable as the work of Vignale despite each example differing subtly from the next.
 

250 Europa Vignale Coupe chassis 0295 EU		 Ferrari launched the 250 Europa during October 1953 at the Paris Salon where it debuted alongside the aforementioned 4.6-litre, 300bhp 375 America that was even more expensive. The Europa remained in production for little more than 12 months, after which time it was superceded by the second series, short wheelbase, Colombo-powered 250 GT Europa. Ferrari originally constructed 20 of these first series Europa's and, as mentioned earlier, most were bodied by Pinin Farina, this model marking a beginning of greater uniformity from one finished car to the next. The chassis numbers and original configurations for each of these 20 vehicles are listed below:
   
250 Europa Chassis Index  
   
0295 EU Vignale Coupe 0325 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
0299 EU Pinin Farina Coupe 0331 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
0301 AL Vignale Coupe 0333 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
0305 EU Pinin Farina Coupe 0335 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
0309 EU Pinin Farina Coupe 0341 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
0311 EU Pinin Farina Convertible 0343 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
0313 EU Vignale Coupe 0345 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
0315 EU Pinin Farina Coupe 0347 EU Vignale Coupe
0321 EU Pinin Farina Coupe 0349 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
0323 EU Pinin Farina Coupe 0351 EU Pinin Farina Coupe
 
Some minor detail differences can be found from one car to the next with at least one 250 Europa (chassis 0299 EU) having been fitted with the more powerful 4.5-litre engine from the 375 America, this particular car being completed for well-known Ferrari enthusiast and film director Roberto Rosselini. There have been rumours of a couple more factory conversions but these are currently unsubstantiated.