This Ferrari 250 SWB is a double winner – 50 years apart

Tour de France Automobile – a sportscar race held on the back roads of France between 1899 and 1986. For a good 8 years between 1956 and 1964, Ferrari machinery went largely unchallenged in the GT Category, with slews of victories taken by 250 GT SWBs and GTOs.

This 250 GT SWB SEFAC Hot Rod is a part of that story, specifically in 1962 where it took a victory all of its own. We say all of its own, as it was not under the oversight of Ferrari, but a privateer entry with André Simon at the wheel. This was in fact against Ferrari's own 250 GTOs. Though that’s a spectacular opening for the story of this car, following the win, the trail goes relatively cold. This car would go on to disappear into a collection, remaining largely unused for 30 years. 

Happily however, a customer of Joe Macari picked up the car recently with the fullest of intentions of putting it back into competition, back where it belongs. That customer took the car to Joe for preparation and restoration, and, as it happens, Goodwood Revival 2016 was its debut appearance.

The Kinrara Trophy turned out to be one of the most spectacular races we've seen in recent years at the Motor Circuit. An hour-long race at the day's end as Joe Macari and record Le Mans winner and driving wizard Tom Kristensen battled in their 250 into the darkness. It was an awesome performance from the pair who brought first place glory for this car, 54 years after its Tour De France win. A fitting result for its first voyage out in this new chapter. 

What a spectacular machine to have join the ranks for the Kinrara Trophy, and what a drive from Macari and Kristensen! 

Photography by Tom Shaxson.