Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Polizia

Italian police and sports cars – this topic goes back further than some readers might think at this point. Of course there has been a partnership with Lamborghini for 16 years, first with some Gallardos and since a few years with the V10 successor model Huracán. But the real story goes back to 1963, when Ferrari delivered two 250 GTE 2+2 to the police in Rome. The corresponding model series had been presented only three years earlier as the first sports car with a 2+2 seat configuration at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and subsequently went into production at Maranello. Ferrari thus replaced the 250 GT and for the first time also appealed to sports car enthusiasts with a small family. The chassis with the internal abbreviation Tipo 508, which all 250s had received up to that point, continued to be used as the basis. However, the 250 GTE 2+2 was lengthened by around 30 centimeters and widened a bit, while the engine and gearbox were moved forward by an additional 20 centimeters to create additional space for the rear seats. For the design, Pinin Farina was once again in charge. They created a completely new coupé with a hatchback and a long trunk. The V12 engine Tipo 128 delivered 177 kW/240 hp. By the time the model was replaced by the 330 America in summer 1963, 954 units had been built.

Two of this model series went to the police headquarters in Rome as described above. While one of these cars fell victim to an accident after only a few weeks, chassis number 3999 was used for a very long time. The reason for this unusual step was that since the late 1950s in Italy the number of escape trips with fast cars after criminal acts had increased considerably. Although the police used quite powerful, black painted Alfa Romeo 1900s, nicknamed ‘Pantera’ (Panther), and green Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600s, they soon couldn’t keep up with this anymore. At that time Armando Spatafora, one of the most respected and successful policemen in Rome at that time, was asked what he would need to be even more successful. His answer was: “What could be better than a Ferrari?” Shortly afterwards he became one of only four police officers selected for a highspeed driving course in Maranello. There he got to know the 250 GTE 2+2 to the limit. At the end of the course, the new police vehicles were handed over.

The vehicle with the chassis number 3999 was built as a 250 GTE 2+2 Series II in November 1962 in black paint with tan leather upholstery. This can be seen from the production documents from the Ferrari archives, which are enclosed as a copy with the vehicle documents. They also report that the chassis was already sent to Pininfarina (written in just one word since 1961) in August to receive its bodywork. The Ferrari was on active duty with the police for the following six years, during which time it achieved legendary status among police officers, criminals and the public. This went so far that it actually became a discipline of its own among criminals to try to escape Armando Spatafora during his night shifts in the Ferrari. Many of them ended up behind bars because of Spatafora’s skill at the wheel and his incredible experience. In addition, his vehicle received regular service and maintenance works in Maranello, as evidenced by a variety of service documents. This is how the 250 GTE became the ultimate ‘Pantera’.

At the end of 1968 the police took the Ferrari out of active service, but kept the car until a public auction in 1972, where it was bought by the Italian Alberto Cappelli. He knew exactly what he had bought and kept the police car in its original condition for 40 years. In between, he and his two sons showed the 250 GTE 2+2 at many events in Italy and throughout Europe. In 1984, at the Coppa delle Dolomiti race, the car was once again reunited with Spatafora, who got behind the wheel again and, to everyone’s surprise, set the second fastest time of the day. Cappelli also took part in the Cavalcade 1997 from Rome to Maranello to celebrate Ferrari’s 50th anniversary. At the beginning of the 2000s, a museum for police vehicles was set up in Rome, which asked the Cappelli family whether the Ferrari could be exhibited on loan. The General Chief of Polizia at that time drove the car there and used the still built-in radio on the way to talk to the Polizia headquarters. Since then it is the only private car in Italy that can be driven with siren, blue lights and the paint scheme of the ‘Squadra Volante’. After the car received a Ferrari Classiche certificate in 2014, the second change of ownership in its history took place in 2015. It remained at home in Italy, but was also shown for the first time at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2016. Now the classic car dealer Girardo & Co. is looking for a new owner through his Italian showroom.

Images: Girardo & Co.