Ferrari Classiche Issues Attestation to “Breadvan”

Ferrari SpA recently issued an Attestation for vehicles of historic interest by the Ferrari Classiche department to the 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto (chassis 2819) nicknamed the “Breadvan.”

The special document, which has been available since 2009, is dedicated to Ferrari cars that, although they do not comply with the strict Ferrari Authenticity Certification criteria, have been deemed, as a result of their competition and/or international recognized show history, to be of historic interest. Amongst the cars of historic interest from Ferrari, the Breadvan is probably one of the most emblematic models, considering its peculiar configuration.

The Breadvan is a unique model and the result of a very particular story. The car left the factory in Maranello in 1961 as a 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto (short wheelbase) “Competizione”, participating the same year in the Tour de France with Gendebien and Bianchi behind the wheel, before it was bought by Count Volpi di Misurata, who fielded it in the 1,000 km of Paris with Trintignant and Vaccarella with the Scuderia Serenissima.

In 1962 the Count instructed engineer Giotto Bizzarrini to re-design this car in order to compete with the 250 GTOs. Therefore the brakes and the suspension were modified and the car was fitted with an innovative and aerodynamic body, with a lowered engine, improving the car’s performance. The nickname Breadvan was invented by the British press, due to the characteristic shape. The first race the car participated in this configuration was the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Abate and Davis in the year of its transformation, although the car didn’t finish due to transmission problems. The Breadvan participated in several races with exceptional drivers like Scarfiotti at the 1,000 km of Paris until 1965 when it ran its last race, the Coppa Gallenga in Rome.

Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto chassis 2819 “Breadvan” – Photo Gallery

[Source: Ferrari SpA]