www.QV500.com - 250 GT PF Part 2: 250 GT PF Cabriolet Speciale
 

Spyder 2 Posti 0655 GT, Geneva Salon		 As mentioned in Part 1, the first four cars in this series of ultra exclusive Pinin Farina Cabriolet's were completed with experimental bodywork. They were built in preparation for the subsequent batch of 36 production Series I Cabriolet's and are generally referred to as Cabriolet Speciale's on account of their highly individual final specifications. All four cars were built with a variety of interesting features, some of which would not make it on to the more standardised Series I Cabriolet's.
   
For example, the very first prototype, chassis 0655 GT, featured a cut-down drivers door, a prominent stylised hood scoop, creased fenders and no upper chrome surround for the windscreen. Inside, the interior received a unique crackle black dash, this car having been built at the request of works Ferrari Grand Prix driver, Peter Collins who subsequently fitted Dunlop disc brakes and alloy wheels. However, one even more sporting prototype was constructed by Pinin Farina on chassis 0663 GT, a machine often referred to as the 250 GT Spyder Competizione. Notable alterations to this vehicle were made around the cockpit, 0663 GT receiving a cut-down wraparound front screen while its streamlined headrest aped sports racing cars of the period. Further competition-inspired additions were bonnet and boot lid retaining straps, the interior featuring another unique binnacle. Ferrari re-manufactured 0663 GT as chassis 0999 GT in 1958 and the Café Racer officially became a Series I Cabriolet. Meanwhile, the final two prototypes, chassis 0705 GT and 0709 GT, were much closer in their specifications and detailing to the forthcoming Series I. A more aesthetically pleasing vent replaced the rather obtrusive hood scoop of earlier prototypes while 0705 GT uniquely featured eight-hole engine vents located behind each front wheelarch.
 

Spyder Competizione chassis 0663 GT		 These were not deemed necessary for 0709 GT although both cars got full width rear bumpers and windscreens framed in chrome all the way around. The final prototype, 0709 GT, also received a set of vented quarter windows, a feature only occasionally requested on Series I production models. Following the completion of these four particularly interesting prototypes, Ferrari and Pinin Farina went onto produce 36 of the more standardised Series I Cabriolet's up until the spring of 1959.
   
Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet Speciale Chassis Index
 
0655 GT Spyder 2 Posti 1957 Geneva Salon car, ex-Peter Collins
0663 GT Spyder Competizione 'The Cafe Racer', re-manufactured by Ferrari as 0999 GT
0705 GT Cabriolet Prototipo 1957 Paris Salon car
0709 GT Cabriolet Prototipo Sold new to the-Aga Khan
 

0655 GT, the unique Spyder 2 Posti, star of the 1957 Geneva Salon and later owned
by works Ferrari driver, Peter Collins. Collins had the car upgraded by the factory
to incorporate disc brakes and then fitted a set of Dunlop alloy racing wheels.