The Three Legendary Ferrari 250 GT Racers Reimagined by Piero Drogo

Coachbuilt Icons - When people talk about classic cars that blend rarity, history, and raw racing spirit, Ferrari almost always leads the conversation. But within Ferrari's rich legacy, there’s a unique trio of racing machines that stand out—not just for their performance, but for their extraordinary bodywork crafted by the legendary Piero Drogo. These cars, all part of the iconic Ferrari 250 GT lineage, were transformed into masterpieces through Drogo’s visionary touch. Fast-forward to today, and these cars are not just collectors’ dreams—they’re rolling sculptures with stories carved into every curve and corner.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo with chassis number #2503GT and racing livery #59 while running at the 1000km Nuerburgring of 1963. (Picture from: Barchetta.cc)

Piero Drogo may not be as globally recognized as Enzo Ferrari, but in the world of classic coachbuilding, his name echoes with respect. As the founder of Drogo Carrozzeria Sports Cars in Modena, Drogo was known for creating striking, performance-driven bodies for Ferrari race cars during the golden age of motorsport. Working closely with great minds like Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini, Drogo helped craft three unforgettable versions of the Ferrari 250 GT—each with its own identity, legacy, and touch of drama on and off the racetrack.

1. Ferrari 250 GTO Drogo

Let’s start with the Ferrari 250 GTO Drogo. Unlike the factory-built 250 GTOs, this one wasn’t born with the typical 250 GTO chassis—it was based on the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa instead. That switch didn’t take anything away from its racing ability. In fact, it enhanced it. 

1961 Ferrari 250 GTO Drogo known as one of the most expensive classic racing cars. (Picture from: Otomotif.OkeZone)

With a beautifully aerodynamic body and Drogo's signature sculpted curves, this car looked fast even when standing still. Under the hood sat a snarling 3.0-liter V12 engine fed by six Weber carburetors, all connected to a four-speed manual gearbox that could push it to a blistering 270 km/h.

Although it was a one-off custom, the Ferrari 250 GTO Drogo went on to win numerous races and, decades later, fetched a jaw-dropping €799,960 at a 2015 auction in Germany. That’s a small price for such an exquisite piece of motorsport history.

 
2. Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo

The second legend in this story is the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo. Originally built on the chassis of Bizzarrini’s first GTO prototype (#2503GT), this car carried Ferrari's famous Rosso Corsa red combined with chrome highlights that made it look just as fierce as it was fast. Nicknamed ‘Anastasia’—a cheeky nod from locals in Modena for its unusual looks—the car made a name for itself racing under Count Volpi’s Scuderia Serenissima team, followed by the Belgian Garage Francorchamps squad. 

The front fascia of the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo with racing livery #59 while running at the 1000km Nuerburgring of 1963. (Picture from: Barchetta.cc)

But the road was anything but smooth. After participating in various racing events, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo suffered a heavy crash during the 1000km Nürburgring race in 1962. The damage was significant, but not beyond repair. Drogo’s skilled team at Carrozzeria Sports Cars stepped in and carefully rebuilt the car, staying true to its aggressive, aerodynamic shape and race-ready character. 

The left side view of the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo with racing livery #44 while running at the 500km de Spa of 1963. (Picture from: Barchetta.cc)

With the restoration complete, the car was prepped and sent back to the racing world, ready to reclaim its place on the track. Unfortunately, luck didn’t stay on its side for long. During the 500km de Spa event, the car was once again involved in a serious accident—this time leaving it badly damaged beyond practical repair. The extent of the destruction marked the end of its competitive life. 

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Drogo with racing livery #28 got a really bad accident while running at the 500km de Spa of 1964 and destroyed. (Picture from: Barchetta.cc)

Unlike its first crash, the car was never rebuilt after that incident. From then on, the 250 GT SWB Drogo became a symbol not only of brilliant design and fearless racing ambition, but also of the risks and fragility that defined motorsport in its rawest era.😢

3. Ferrari 250 GT SWB 'Breadvan' Drogo

And then, there’s the most eccentric of the three: the Ferrari 250 GT SWB ‘Breadvan’ Drogo. Commissioned by Count Giovanni Volpi to take on Ferrari’s newer 250 GTO at the 1962 Le Mans, this car was built using a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB chassis (#2819GT). What made it famous—beyond its racing credentials—was its unmistakably odd shape. The design featured a very low nose, a long, flat roof, and a squared-off rear that drew comparisons to a delivery van.

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB 'Breadvan' built by Drogo Carrozzeria Sports Cars based on the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB, and utilizing the aerodynamics theory of Dr.Kamm at the rear that resembles breadvan. (Picture from: Coachbuild)

The English press, never short on nicknames, quickly dubbed it the ‘Breadvan’. Behind the humor, however, was serious engineering. The rear end was designed using the aerodynamic principles of Dr. Wunibald Kamm, intended to reduce drag and increase high-speed stability. Along with contributions from Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini (also known as Nembo), the Breadvan became one of the most distinctive Ferrari racers ever built. The French had their own term for it—'la Camionette'—but on the track, it spoke a universal language of speed.

Each of these Ferrari 250 GTs, reborn through Piero Drogo’s coachbuilding genius, holds a unique place in automotive history. They weren’t just modified cars—they were bold experiments that pushed the boundaries of design and engineering in the pursuit of victory. From auction blocks to concours lawns, and from Le Mans legends to mythical names like ‘Anastasia’ and ‘Breadvan’, these three machines remind us that sometimes, the magic of racing isn’t just in the speed, but in the soul poured into every detail.

 

In a world where perfection is often standardized, these Drogo-bodied Ferraris remain refreshingly imperfect—and completely unforgettable.. *** [EKA [25112020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COACHBUILD.COM | BARCHETTA.CC | CARSCOOPS ]

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