In early 1957, Jacques Swaters Garage Francorchamps placed an order for a 250 GT Cabriolet on the special request of acclaimed Belgian racing driver, Léon Dernier. Mr Dernier, who used the alias ‘Eldé’ when racing, competed at Le Mans 13 times between 1935 and 1965 and won the GT 3.0 class in 1959 alongside Jean Blaton in a 250 Tour de France.

For his 250 GT, Mr Dernier requested a number of unique features including but not limited to a frameless wraparound plastic windscreen, a removable driver head restraint, competition style bonnet latches, outside fuel filler cap protruding through the rear deck, a passengers side metal tonneau cover and deletion of the door handles.

The second of only 40 Series 1 Cabriolets ever produced, a prototype and known as the ‘Cafe Racer’ due to its unique spec.