Hot Rod Ferrari Colombo V12 Engine Listed for Sale
A rebuilt 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE Colombo V12 engine, modified for higher performance by Dark Horse Motors, is now for sale in California.
A 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE's original Colombo V12 engine has been rebuilt into a high-performance "hot rod" and is now offered for sale. The work was completed by Richard "Dick"DeBiasse of Dark Horse Motors, and the seller states this was the last of five such modified 250 GTE engines he built."0-timeand has reportedly not been started since its rebuild.Hot Rod" Engine |
| Displacement | 2,953 cc | 3,068 cc |
|---|---|---|
| Bore | 73 mm | 74.4 mm |
| Stroke | 58.8 mm | 58.8 mm |
| Key Components | Factory components | Wiseco pistons, four-bolt main caps, machined rods |
| Valvetrain | Standard valves | Oversized intake/exhaust valves, Crane camshafts |
| Induction | Three Weber carburetors | Three Weber 36 DCS carburetors |
The Colombo V12 Legacy
This engine design is one of the most famous in automotive history. Legendary engineer Gioacchino Colombo designed the first 1.5-liter version in the mid-1940s. Enzo Ferrari reportedly agreed to the V12 plan on the spot when Colombo suggested it, despite critics in Modena who thought the idea was absurd.
The engine powered Ferrari's first road car, the 125 S, in 1947. Franco Cortese, who drove that car, later said the engine revved so freely that he had to drive with one eye on the tachometer. The design proved remarkably adaptable, with its bore spacing deliberately set wide to allow for future enlargement.
Colombo's V12 evolved from 1.5 liters to a final 4.9-liter version used in the Ferrari 412, which ended production in 1989. This 42-year production run outlived both its creator and Enzo Ferrari, who both died in 1988.
A Racing Pedigree
The Colombo engine secured countless victories for Ferrari. It powered the marque's first win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949, where driver Luigi Chinetti reportedly drove for more than 22 of the 24 hours. The engine was also central to Ferrari's dominance at Le Mans in the 1960s, contributing to six consecutive overall wins.
In Grand Touring competition, the 3.0-liter version in the 250 GTO won the over-2.0-liter division of the International Championship for GT Manufacturers for three consecutive years from 1962 to 1964. The source notes that the 250 P, the first mid-engined Ferrari sports racer, used a Colombo V12 to win Le Mans in 1963.
Details of the Rebuild
The specific engine for sale was removed from a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE. DeBiasse's rebuild involved boring the cylinders to increase displacement. The cylinder heads were ported and polished, and the valvetrain was comprehensively updated with new components.
The ignition distributors were rebuilt and fitted with replacement Magneti Marelli caps. A lightweight alloy-and-steel flywheel and Ferrari-branded cam covers complete the package. The seller's listing, hosted by Bring a Trailer, provides further images and details on the sale.
