Tour de Force
The 52nd alloy-bodied 250 GT LWB Berlinetta “Tour de France” of 72 built, was originally finished in an Alfa Romeo colour known as Giulietta Blue with a red stripe and Havana brown upholstery. These were but the least of the requests of its original owner: French industrialist and accomplished racing driver Jacques Peron, a skilled rallyist (having co-driven to overall victory at the 1951 and 1953 runnings of the Rally Morocco), circuit racer, and multi-year 24 Hours of Le Mans entrant.
Peron requested a 250 TR-specification engine, a hinged engine cover to enable easy roadside repairs as a solo driver, a transmission tunnel-mounted hand brake for standing starts on hill climbs, room for two spare wheels for endurance racing, an ammeter in place of a clock, and an altimeter to determine when to change carburetor jets. He also requested that the car be completed no less than three weeks prior to the 1958 running of the Tour de France, in which he wished to take part, so that he would have time to test it, become comfortable behind the wheel, and, if necessary, trouble-shoot any ills.
The Ferrari factory proceeded to deliver the car with no time to spare, having declined or ignored a number of Peron’s requests, including the 250 TR-spec engine and tunnel-mounted hand brake; they did, however, offer to install the altimeter – if he would be so kind as to bring it with him upon delivery. Having already been required to present the factory with his racing resume before they would sell him the car in the first place, Mr. Peron was, shall we say, not pleased. Such was his rage that not even a highly respectable 4th overall finish in the Tour, co-driving with the noted American sportsman Harry Schell and overcoming damage to the right front wing, could quell it; he sent Ferrari a strongly worded letter thereafter, noting sale of the car to another Frenchman, René Cotton, in 1958.
This beautiful 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta 'Tour de France' will be available at RM Sotheby’s upcoming Monterey auction held between the 12-14th August 2021. Photos: © Courtney Frisk for RM Sotheby’s