Ferrari Special Police Car

It sounds incredible, but in the 60s the Ferrari 250 GTE 2 + 2 Polizia was in regular service in Rome

How many children have ever dreamed of becoming cops? But when they get older, most of them begin to think about the dangers of the profession, about wages, about work shifts and generally about many things that gradually or suddenly stop them. However, there are some police services where work still sounds like a dream, at least in part. Take, for example, the Dubai traffic police with its stunning fleet or the significant amount of Lamborghini used by Italian carabinieri. Well, we should note that the last two examples are most often used for respect, not for prosecuting criminals, but still ...

At the wheel: the legendary policeman Armando Spatafora

And at one time everything looked different - especially in the case of this Ferrari 250 GTE 2 + 2. The beautiful coupe in question was made in 1962, and at the beginning of 1963 entered the service of the Roman police and until 1968 was widely was used. At the time, law enforcement officials in the Italian capital were in need of fortifying their fleet as the underworld became increasingly problematic. It is true that during this period, the police mainly used Alpha cars, which were not slow at all, but there was a need for even more powerful machines. And it's more than good news that the legendary manufacturer offers a suitable model for this purpose.

Armando Spatafora is in charge of two delivered Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 cars. He is one of the most elite policemen in the country and the state asks him what he needs. "What could be better than a Ferrari?" Spatafora replied curtly. And it wasn't long before the police park was enriched with two powerful Gran Turismos from Maranello. Other 250 GTEs were wrecked a few months after its debut as a police car, but the Ferrari, with chassis and engine number 3999, is still alive and well.

243 h.p. and more than 250 km / h

The so-called Colombo V12 with four valves per cylinder, a Weber triple carburetor, a 60-degree angle between the rows of cylinders and a power of 243 hp works under the hood of both cars. at 7000 rpm The four-speed mechanical gearbox is overloaded and the maximum speed exceeds 250 km / h.

To make sure that the police officers can properly drive the heavy-duty vehicles entrusted to them, they take a special course for high-speed driving in Maranello. Among the police officers sent to the course is, of course, Spatafora, who received the car entrusted to him after extremely good training results. And so a legend was born - driving a police Ferrari, Spatafora, after a fierce car chase, arrested a bunch of large fish from the underworld.

Ferrari police have never been restored

Looking at the black 250 GTE with Pininfarina bodywork and faux brown upholstery, it's hard to believe that this car was involved in a relentless pursuit of criminals 50 years ago. Naturally, "Police" license plates, side lettering, blue warning lights, and a long antenna are clear signs of the car's past life. An additional element of the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat also distinguishes the car from its counterparts. However, it should be noted that this 250 GTE is in its original, immaculate condition - even the gearbox and rear axle have never been replaced.

Even stranger is that after the end of his career as a police car, this beautiful example followed the fate of most of his colleagues on two or four wheels: it was simply sold at auction. At this auction, the car was bought by Alberto Capelli from the coastal city of Rimini. The collector knows the history of the car very well and made sure that in 1984 Spatafora again got behind the wheel of his former Ferrari in a mountain rally - and, by the way, the legendary policeman achieved the second best time in the race.

Siren and blue lights still working

Over the years, the car has taken part in many events and exhibitions and can be seen in the Police Museum in Rome. Capelli owned the legendary 250 GTE until 2015 - to this day, thanks to its original purpose and historical value, it is the only privately owned civilian car in Italy that has the legal right to use blue warning lights, sirens and “Squadra Volante” paint.

The current owner of the car announced the sale. The kit includes a full set of documents on car design and service history, which have been conscientiously completed over the years. As well as a bunch of certificates of authenticity, as well as the recognition of Ferrari Classiche from 2014, confirming the legendary status of the only surviving police Ferrari in Italy. Officially nothing is said about the price, but it is undoubtedly that such a model in this state is already impossible to find for less than half a million euros, without having a part of the history of a particular instance.