This is one of the coolest automotive related pictures I’ve ever seen on the internet, which is that of a somewhat legendary police officer sitting behind the wheel of one of two Ferrari 250GTEs ever commissioned for police use. The Ferrari exists today as a preserved example, and the story of how an Italian police officer by the name of Armando Spatafora became one of the most legendary gumshoes from Rome thanks to his prowess behind the wheel is one of the best classic car history files I’ve read in a while. The only other Ferrari built in Maranello as a police car was destroyed a few weeks into the job, making this example here on the Girardo & Co website quite exclusive.
The Ferrari came about after Officer Spatafora was asked by his superior what would make him more effective in stopping the numerous criminals plaguing Italy’s streets in the 1960s, including many high-speed chases. Up until that point, the constables had relied on respectable performers like the iconic green Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600s, which are highly collectible themselves today. With the question posed, Spatafora slightly sarcastically answered that a Ferrari might get the job done. To his surprise, management obliged the request and commissioned the order of two police-spec 250 GTEs along with driver training for the officers lucky enough to pilot them.
The legend quickly grew after Spatafora took command of his supercar cruiser, with criminals vying for bragging rights if they were able to elude the Ferrari. Very few succeeded, and legend has it Spatafora was so talented behind the wheel that he when he was later reunited with the car at the Coppa delle Dolomiti race, he posted the second fastest time overall. The Ferrari at that point had entered into private ownership and to the caretaker’s credit, he didn’t change a thing about the Ferrari as he knew how special it was in the history of road-going models. To this day, it is the only private car in Italy with permission to operate with siren, blue light, and “Squadra Volante” livery.
What’s remarkable about the 250GTE is how seemingly ever owner after it was retired has strove to preserve its identity. Never over-restored or converted to civilian street clothes, the Ferrari has proudly displayed its heritage as perhaps Italy’s most famous police car. The car received its Ferrari Classiche certificate in 2014 and is accompanied by extensive documentation confirming its identity. I would encourage you to review the listing in full, as previous owners have collected photos of Spatafora in action behind the wheel of the 250GTE, and even some photos of it blocking in a suspected bad guy. I’m sure the price is bonkers, but to me, it’s worth every penny.
You, my good man, have absolutely no understanding of Italy and Italians. I am sorry for you.
Ciao!
Don’t know where you live Cal but where I live we have this device called a ‘voting booth’. Using this device gives ‘your so called powerless other class’ supreme power over ‘your powerful class’.
I don’t have all the facts as to how this car was procured to form an opinion. Did Ferrari give them a big price cut for a tax break? For promotional purposes? Maybe a wealth dude donated it?
So the only opinion I can form is that having a fricking Ferrari for a police car makes for one hell of a story.
I completely agree with Frank. Books for kids are a good thing and no one would ever suggest that depriving children of learning materials is a good thing. That said, these were different times and Enzo Ferrari was a national idol. The car served the public which helped to pay for it. Period. Further we not certain whether or not Mr Ferrari made a special concession to the Police department at the time. Great story, great history and thank God the car was presented. Bravisimo!!
What exactly is a high speed chase in Italy in 1962? A Deux Cheveaux chased by an Isetta? Or maybe a fire breathing 30 hp 2 stroke Fiat?
Go to the website listed in the write-up and learn something about the car. If you don’t care for reading, there is a video to watch.
I kinda feel it should be chasing Bond’s DB5 down a seaside canyon…
What a GREAT idea for the Next BOND 007 film! A retro-replay using period staging, the best 1960 cars, old weapons, real obedient women and the GOOD LIFE that made .
……Italy Great !
It’s the crazies and the extremes of society that give us all something to talk about. Despite the idiocy of political polarization it does force us to consider all sides of the issues and come to a rational solution. When this car was built and put into public service our concept of political correctness was not nearly as sanctimonious and self-righteous as it is today.
I saw a new Mustang on I-65 in Louisville the other day replete with red and blue strobe lights and a speeder pulled over. l wasn’t upset that the Commonwealth of Kentucky had a Mustang instead of a Taurus. Not upset about Indiana using Ram 1500s for enforcement either.
We need to look at these anomalies in context and get over ourselves.
Reminds me of the SPP 5.0 Mustangs used by FL state troopers years ago.
Let’s just talk about cool old cars here, please and thank you.
Jake: Car’s got a lot of pickup.
Elwood: It’s got a cop motor, a 440-cubic-inch plant. It’s got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It’s a model made before catalytic converters so it’ll run good on regular gas. So what do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?
Jake: Fix the cigarette lighter.
“The Blues Brothers”
Don’t forget about Scottsdale’s Bricklin police cars! And as far as the extravagance, perceived or otherwise, remember, if we only did things that made sense, life would be no fun!
“Calling all cars!” Whoops, I mean calling the one Ferrari police car. We’ve got some escaped Sicilian mobsters headed south on the Targa Florio route. Catch up the them and arrest them!
Love the car , the story, the history, and even the comments. I know which side I’m on ,but I won’t tell.
The troll you are referring to has been on this site for years. He changes his user name every few months, but the rhetoric is the same.
Steve R
What, is he like 12 and finds some sort of adolescent enjoyment out of making ridiculous comments on a forum that he is clearly not a fan of or welcomed at?
Took me quite a while to get back here after going to the Girardo & Co website. Wow. Just wow.
Can you imagine being forced to go to work there everyday?
One cool story!! It would sure make a job much more fun knowing you could turn on lights and sirens and mash the pedal as you run through the gears!!! (Legally). Being I’ve never heard of a Ferrari used as a police car before I’m sure this car will go for big dollars for someone to say they have one of one left!!!
Excuse me, but was I just insulted? I assume it was me as I made the first comment. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend anyone, thought free discussion and open opinions were welcome here. Brains are like parachutes, only work when they are open.
New York State Police had a fleet of 1LE Camaros. Having paid taxes in the Empire State since 1969, I’m proud to say I paid for a small part of that fleet. If I had to drive up and down the New York State Thruway, I would have been good with the 1LE.
yep cool car…glad it survives pretty much as delivered….
Too cool
@Frank Sumatra – Commenting rules say no politics so it got deleted. Thanks.
Clarification, the original comment said it was a bad use of tax dollars, then the reply was a knee jerk reaction as to class, so that had to be rebutted. I assume, that was what caused them all to be deleted, too bad we can’t express ourselves here. If people do not like a comment, don’t read it, read the others. How hard is that? What I find troubling is the obvious lack of political neutrality here. There is no purple, just a different color allowed. Are all car lovers conservatives?