Ferrari 250 Europa GT Speciale

The Ferrari 250 Europa GT Chassis 0387GT stands as one of the most historically important and technically significant Ferrari 250 Europas ever built. Commissioned by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, one of Ferrari’s most prestigious clients in the 1950s, the car was delivered in October 1954 with an extraordinary specification that elevated it far beyond the standard Europa GT. Finished in Prince Bernhard’s signature Nero over Naturale leather color scheme, the car was one of only two Europa GTs constructed by Pininfarina with a lightweight all-aluminium body. But the bespoke nature of 0387 GT extended well beyond its aesthetics. Ferrari engineered it on a special 513/508 chassis, typically reserved for the 250 Mille Miglia competition cars—not the standard road-going Europas. This 508/MM55-type chassis, confirmed in factory records, was used in just two Europas (0387GT and 0385GT). Underneath the alloy skin, the car was equipped with a competition-spec Tipo 112 engine, featuring high-compression pistons, lightweight crankshaft, special conrods, and Mondial-spec internals. It retained a fully synchronized competition gearbox (type 342), ventilated magnesium drum brakes likely sourced from the 375 MM, and a competition steering box. Remarkably, it was also fitted with coil-over front suspension, foreshadowing the layout seen later in the 250 Tour de France. In a highly unusual twist, Prince Bernhard requested that the chassis be renumbered 0139 E—matching two of his earlier Ferraris. Ferrari complied but preserved the original 0387 GT number stamped alongside the new one. Factory documentation confirming this remains with the car. From 1960 onward, the car passed through a succession of respected European collectors, including John H. Baker, Arthur Gibson, Ron Francis, and later Tiebo P. Vos in Switzerland. By the early 2000s, it had made its way to France, under the ownership of Jean Guikas, who commissioned a full mechanical restoration and confirmed the presence of its rare mechanical features. In 2015, the car was exported to the U.S. for the first time, joining a prestigious private collection. In 2021, it underwent a comprehensive $300,000 mechanical overhaul by Patrick Ottis and Chuck Wray (Grand Touring Enterprises), ensuring it performs as originally intended. With its royal provenance, one-off competition specification, and matching-numbers originality, Ferrari 250 Europa GT 0387GT is a truly exceptional automobile—representing a unique fusion of bespoke craftsmanship, motorsport engineering, and historical significance.