In 1956, Ferrari responded to the FIA’s newly established GT Class championship with the development of a dual-purpose road and racing model derived from its 250 GT platform. This effort led to the creation of the 250 GT Berlinetta, a car that combined a competition-tuned, three-liter Colombo V-12 engine with lightweight aluminum bodywork crafted by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. A formidable machine resulted, which proved to be a dominant force in international sports car racing throughout the late 1950s, offering both high performance and a proven record of endurance.

The new Ferrari quickly made its mark in one of the most demanding events of the era: the multi-stage, cross-country Tour de France Automobile. Beginning in 1956, the 250 GT Berlinetta won this grueling competition four years in a row, firmly establishing its reputation for reliability, speed, and handling prowess. In honor of its repeated success, the model earned the enduring nickname “Tour de France,” or TdF for short.

Ferrari built approximately 78 examples of the 250 GT TdF over its production run, with four distinct body variations emerging over time: the no-louver, 14-louver, three-louver, and single-louver configurations. Each iteration introduced subtle refinements in design and engineering, aimed at improving aerodynamics, driver comfort, and overall performance.

Over the past six decades, the Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France has become one of the most coveted and collectible models in the marque’s history. Revered not only for its motor sports pedigree but also for its sculptural beauty, the TdF represents a perfect harmony of advanced mechanical engineering and elegant Italian design. Its competition success and limited production have ensured its status as a blue-chip collectible.

Moreover, the TdF served as a key evolutionary step in Ferrari’s development of high-performance Berlinetta models, directly influencing legendary successors such as the 250 GT SWB, the iconic 250 GTO, and the 275 GTB/C. As a result, the 250 GT Tour de France stands as a pivotal model in Ferrari’s racing legacy and an icon of mid-century automotive excellence.

The Tour de France Berlinetta presented here, chassis 0925 GT, is one of only 36 examples built in the final, single-louver body style. Built entirely from lightweight aluminum, and finished in traditional Italian racing red, the Scaglietti bodywork features the ultimate in high-performance exotica of the day – a removable hood, external fuel filler, and a chrome-plated roll bar – as well as the elegant, Perspex-covered headlight treatment so sought-after by collectors. Copies of the original Ferrari build records on file confirm that it was completed in spring 1958 and factory-equipped with a competition-prepared tipo 128C engine, polished Borrani wire wheels, and an Abarth exhaust system.

In June 1958, 0925 GT was delivered to John von Neumann’s Ferrari Representatives of California, the factory’s official West Coast distributor located in Los Angeles. Later that year, the Ferrari was sold to its first owner, the casino mogul and car collector extraordinaire, William “Bill” F. Harrah.

The blood-red Tour de France Berlinetta was Bill Harrah’s first Ferrari, but by no means was it his last. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s he amassed an extraordinary collection of Ferrari automobiles, including iconic early models like the 166 MM Barchetta, custom-bodied gran turismos like the 410 and 400 Superamerica, and even thoroughbred competition cars such as a 250 LM and 275 GTB/C. His passion for the Italian marque led him to set up a Ferrari dealership in Reno, and subsequently he established Modern Classic Motors, becoming the official distributor for the Western US. For decades, Harrah was probably the single most influential Ferrari enthusiast in the US, the company’s largest and most important market.

In his book, Harrah’s Automobile Collection: One man’s tribute to the great automobiles of the world, Dean Batchelor details Harrah’s first encounter with 0925 GT:

“Harrah had read about a Ferrari agency in Hollywood so, on a trip to Los Angeles in 1958, he went to the agency ‘just to look at the car.’ Another coincidence – one of so many that influenced Bill Harrah’s life occurred; the sales manager of the agency was Richie Ginther. Richie had driven in local southern California sports car races for several years and had ridden with Phil Hill in two Mexican road races (Carrera Panamericana), so he was no stranger to speed in fast cars. Richie hooked Bill Harrah with the most obvious and successful lure ever offered a car nut when he suggested a demonstration ride. Harrah quickly accepted.

As Harrah described in his Oral History, ‘So we went out, and he took me up on Mulholland Drive in Hollywood. And I was very familiar with Mulholland Drive because I was raised there, and I know what you could do on Mulholland Drive in a ’26 Chevy or a ’29 Ford or a ’36 Lincoln. I’d been all over it, and I knew just what you could do. And he took me in the Ferrari over the same road at double the speeds I’d ever ridden. And of course, he was a super driver… and he let me drive it… and it handled beautifully, and the performance and acceleration and just – I’d never driven a car like that. The Chrysler 300s – it made them feel like an old truck or something. So we went back to the agency and I was really tempted. And I said how much is it? And it was twelve thousand, five hundred dollars… So I said, ‘Okay.’”

Bill Harrah kept this first Ferrari for the rest of his life. It remained part of his expansive museum collection until it was sold, in 1986, to another esteemed American collector, John Mozart.

Since Mr. Mozart’s brief ownership, 0925 GT has been owned by a limited roster of collectors, including Baron Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau of Austria and German Ferrari enthusiast Harald Mergard. During Mr. Mergard’s lengthy ownership, the Tour de France participated in several historic rallies, including three editions of the 1000 Miglia, as well as Tour Auto, Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti, and the Rallye du Moroc. Throughout this period, it benefited from regular maintenance and sympathetic restoration work carried out by noted UK Ferrari specialist DK Engineering, as evidenced by records on file.

In more recent years, the Ferrari has traded its active rally schedule for the more genteel concours circuit, appearing at some of the most prestigious venues in the UK, including Goodwood, Hampton Court, and Salon Privé.

The consignor, a prominent American collector who has owned some of the finest postwar sports and GT cars, recently returned 0925 GT to the US for the first time in decades. Under his ownership, the Ferrari has been enjoyed on fair weather drives around New England country roads and maintained in fine fettle.

Today, this TdF remains in outstanding condition and its high-quality presentation is supported by an impressive documentation file that includes copies of the factory build sheets, ownership records, service invoices, and a history report prepared by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini.

As a result, 0925 GT is among the finest examples to be found of the coveredheadlight, single-louver Berlinetta – the ultimate evolution of the 250 GT Tour de France. Delivered new to one of the most prolific car collectors in history and carefully maintained by knowledgeable owners ever since, this purebred competition Ferrari has led a remarkably sheltered existence. Unlike many other TdFs, which were raced hard for years and have required multiple restorations, this Ferrari has a refreshingly straightforward history. Sympathetically maintained and restored only as needed, with careful attention paid to preserving its original character, down to the original Harrah Automobile Collection equipment number tag affixed to the firewall. Beautifully presented in all respects, 0925 GT is offered with Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification, which confirms that it retains its original chassis, coachwork, engine, gearbox, differential, and other major components. Gooding Christie’s is delighted to present this exceptional Tour de France and recommends it to any collector looking to own and experience one of the all-time great Ferraris.