The Ferrari 250 GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta occupied a unique position in early-1960s motorsport: a car that was genuinely competitive both on road and circuit. At Le Mans in 1961, the Noblet entry proved that point in front of the entire world, finishing on the overall podium against full factory opposition. KK Scale has chosen this particular car — chassis in French privateer colours, race number 14 — as the subject of a large-format die-cast replica at 1:12.
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
Produced between 1959 and 1962, the 250 GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta was styled by Pininfarina and bodied by Scaglietti, with competition variants wearing aluminium panels to save weight. Its wheelbase measured 2400 mm. Power came from the Colombo 3.0-litre V12 — 2953 cc, 60-degree configuration, single overhead cam per bank — producing around 280 bhp in competition trim. That combination of a lightweight body, a rev-happy V12 and finely balanced handling made the SWB the dominant GT car of its era, capable of troubling purpose-built prototypes on the Mulsanne.
One Car, Two Trophies: Le Mans 1961
The 1961 24 Heures du Mans produced one of the most complete results in Ferrari's history: the first six finishers were all Ferraris. Within that formation, the No. 14 SWB of Pierre Noblet and Jean Guichet claimed third overall and first in the GT class — a dual result that gave Ecurie Pierre Noblet, a respected French privateer operation, a podium against the factory entries. Guichet, at that point establishing himself as a front-rank gentleman driver, would go on to win Le Mans outright in 1964.
KK Scale at 1:12: Die-Cast in Large Format
KK Scale — trading as KK-Scale/KKDC — has built its reputation on large-scale die-cast replicas of classic and racing cars. This 1:12 scale model reproduces the No. 14 Le Mans livery: the silver-grey French privateer scheme, race numbers, and Ecurie Pierre Noblet identification as run in June 1961. Die-cast metal construction at 1:12 is an unusual choice for an early-1960s Ferrari GT racing car; most comparable SWB replicas exist only at smaller scales, making this among the few display-grade versions of this specific livery available to collectors.
In the Display Cabinet
At 1:12, this model occupies meaningful shelf space and rewards close viewing. It pairs logically with other Le Mans 1961 subjects — the Ferrari 250 TRI/61 of Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien that won that same race outright sits at the top of any 1961 Le Mans grouping. Collectors building a Jean Guichet career retrospective will want this alongside a replica of his 1964-winning Ferrari. The car also anchors a broader Ferrari 250 GT SWB theme, complementing road-car versions or the 250 GTO that succeeded it in GT racing from 1962.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the No. 14 Ferrari 250 GT SWB at Le Mans 1961?
Pierre Noblet and Jean Guichet finished 3rd overall and won the GT class at the 1961 24 Heures du Mans, part of a Ferrari 1st-through-6th sweep of the overall classification.
Who were the drivers of the No. 14 car?
Pierre Noblet, who ran the Ecurie Pierre Noblet privateer team, shared the car with Jean Guichet, a French gentleman driver who later won Le Mans outright in 1964.
What scale is this KK Scale model?
The model is produced at 1:12 scale in die-cast metal, making it a large-format replica of the 1961 Le Mans GT class-winning Ferrari 250 GT SWB.
What engine did the Ferrari 250 GT SWB use in competition?
The competition-specification SWB used the Colombo 3.0-litre V12 (2953 cc), producing approximately 280 bhp, with a single overhead camshaft per bank in a 60-degree V configuration.
