The Seven Best Ferraris

"lorem ipsum" (nothing123456789) 11/19/2013 at 16:45 • Filed to: Jalopnik, Ferrari

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To commemorate the release of the latest and greatest out of Maranello, the 458 Speciale, I’ve decided to compose a list of my personal favorites from the Scuderia over the course of their illustrious history. To keep it brief, this list doesn’t include their racecars—only production road cars. This isn’t a list of their most famous, fastest, or best cars, just the ones that, for me, encapsulate a bit of the company’s spirit. So, in no particular order, here it is:

1- 1963 250 GT Lusso

I “discovered” this car when my uncle bought one about five years ago and sent me some pictures of it. I fell in love with the simple, but beautiful design of it, and upon finding out Steve McQueen and Eric Clapton owned one, decided that my new life goal (not that I had many goals before that) was to own one. Nowadays these are creeping up to the seven-figure mark, but it’s worth it. If you don’t get it, watch this video.

2- 1957 250 Testa Rossa

This car got a big boost in popularity a few years ago when it was sold for what was then a record $12 million at auction. It looks like something straight out of 1950s Speed Racer, and was a massive success at Le Mans. What’s wrong with a 300hp 3 liter V12 in something that weighs only 800kg dry? Not much. Without a roof? Nothing.

3- 1952 212 Inter by Vignale

This car was made back in the days where a car manufacturer would have their cars built by multiple coachbuilders (Pininfarina, Carrozzeria Touring, Vignale, Ghia, etc). Each coachbuilder would have their own variation on any given car, so a 212 from Ghia would look slightly different than one from Pininfarina. In my opinion, the Vignale version is the best looking. I remember stumbling upon it a while ago when trying to familiarize myself with early Ferrari models, and looking at all the different versions. Vignale nailed the design with this one.

4- 1987 F40

The F40 is in the dream garage of everyone who’s into cars, so it barely needs an explanation, but here’s one anyway: a small-displacement V8 with two massive turbos bolted onto it, in something that weighs as much as a toothpick. The fastest car of its day, it remains one of the most iconic Ferraris of all time. This will make you sell your firstborn for one.

5- 1963 330 America

The America series were the top-of-the-line Ferraris back in the day. They had the best engines, unique designs, and the most luxurious interiors. The 330 is the first of the lot, and, in my opinion, the most elegant example. It had what was then a brand-new 4 liter V12, and only 50 examples were ever built. It looks like Ferrari’s version of a DB5, and it’s probably what Sean Connery would drive in Tuscany.

6- 1964 Ferrari 275 GTS

This one is often overlooked in favor of its more popular relations, like the 250 Pininfarina Cabriolet or the California SWB. I think this might be the cooler car, though. It’s a lot less aggressive looking, it just looks like the perfect thing for a summer drive in the Alps. The main reason why I like this car so much, though, is watching Jeremy Clarkson drive one on Top Gear a few seasons back. He was just cruising down the runway, and looked very content. Only a car like this could make a fat, balding, idiot like him feel good about his self.

7- 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO

This had to be on the list. The most iconic Ferrari of all time, the most expensive car sold at auction, one of the rarest cars in the world, and one of the most successful and significant racing cars ever. Strangely, I was never a huge fan of them, until I saw a navy blue on in Vanilla Sky . Then, I saw a navy blue one on the internet. The dark color brings out the lines on these things perfectly—red doesn’t do them justice. There are so many things that are just right about this car. Shame it costs $52 million.

505Turbeaux > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 16:48

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I think that 330 America checks all the right boxes for me for my favorite. Always been more of a GT fan than a sports car guy. I'll take 3

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 16:51

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Personally, I like the 410 Superamerica

Manuél Ferrari > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 16:54

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I want to become a rich evil super villain. Then I can buy them all and race them around my secret island.

For Sweden > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 16:54

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No 288 GTO?

All of your opinions are invalidated.

Nothing > For Sweden 11/19/2013 at 17:00

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There also most definitely needs to be a 250GT SWB on this list.

Leadbull > Nothing 11/19/2013 at 17:07

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You're both right. List needs to be a top ten.

pauljones > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 17:08

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Interesting list, though I'm not sure I would agree with all of those choices. In particular, there are two cars that I would swap out of that list.

I'd swap out the 275 GTS for the 250 GT Spider California SWB, mainly because of the fact that it did what the later GTS couldn't manage - it just turn heads. It became one of the quintessential Ferrari road cars of its time. It couldn't race, but if it couldn't race, it represented the best that Ferrari could bring to the road, and it was magnificent and special in a way that literally no Ferrari since then has ever been able to match.

Secondly, Vignale 212 Inter with the 275 GTB/4; it is the most beautiful Ferrari ever made, and by far the most sought after road-going Ferrari in existence. Whereas the 250 GTO was one of the ultimate road race cars of its time, it was also temperamental and rough around the edges. The 275 GTB/4 kept that performance, refined it substantially, and wrapped in arguably the most beautiful sheetmetal to ever come out of Italy. If Glickenhaus wants to know what a truly gorgeous Ferrari looks like, he's been looking in all the wrong places. The 275 GTB/4 is the quintessential Italian bella.

Milky > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 17:43

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The 7 best Ferraris and 3 of them are from 1963 ... and only 1 older than 1964, yea I disagree.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 18:02

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Does the 212 inter rear look like a TVR rear?

Sn210 > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 18:08

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Oh god, I want to try...

1. F40

2. F50 GT

3. Testarossa

4. Daytona

5. 250 GTO Series II

6. 288 GTO

7. 550 Maranello

Not sure where I can put the P412, the 512 BB, or the 275 GTB... I think its impossible to name a top 7.

Sinanigans > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 18:34

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1) I'm gonna put all the 250s as one choice. Especially the Lusso, Tests Rossa, the SWB, the GTO, and the LM. Deal with it.
2) 365 Daytona
3) 246 Dino (does this count?)
4)F40
5)F50
6)355
7)456GT
*in case #3 doesn't count 575.

All these need to be in manual. I realize this is when Ferrari made shitty cars (in that they were hopelessly unreliable and poorly engineered), but they were gorgeous, and had drama. They were art. Enzo said it best "Aerodynamics are for those who can't build an engine"

dogisbadob > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 18:39

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You missed one :p

6shelBfan6 > lorem ipsum 11/19/2013 at 20:50

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The 250 GT Lusso is my all time favorite Ferrari. Saw one at R&M a couple years ago that was silver with a tan interior. Perfection on wheels.