To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Paris event, 6 February
2019.
Estimate:
€1.200.000 - €1.400.000
- Just two owners and 65,952 km from new; single-family ownership
for over 50 years
- Retains its original engine and rear axle
- The 50th example of just 200 built
Intended for a different customer and style of driving than
Ferrari's other open-top offering, the 250 GT California Spider,
the 250 GT Cabriolet was a true gentleman's Ferrari designed for
high-speed touring in comfort. With the performance one would
expect from Maranello's finest, the cabriolet gave no concessions
to luxury and was exquisitely trimmed and appointed to please
Ferrari's demanding clientele. With a spacious boot that could hold
more than enough luggage for two for a long-weekend trip, this was
the ideal touring car for the California coast or the South of
France.
The cabriolet offered here, chassis no. 1983 GT, is a superbly
presented Series II example, the 50th of 200 cars built. According
to Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, the chassis was delivered from
Ferrari to the Carrozzeria Pinin Farina plant in Torino on 11 May
1960 and was completed exactly four months later. It was originally
finished in Grigio Conchiglia (MM 16249) with a Beige vinyl and
leather interior (VM 3218) and was delivered new to Ferrari's
official importer Franco-Britannic Autos Ltd., in Paris,
France.
Chassis no. 1983 GT was sold to its first owner, Raymond Veuillez,
also of Paris, and registered 1042 KF 75. Interestingly, when the
prefecture recorded the registration to Mr Veuillez, they
transposed the last two numbers of the chassis number, recording it
as '1938 GT'. A simple error, as Ferrari's early racing cars had
even-numbered chassis numbers, while the road cars received odd
numbers. In 1965, the car was sent back to Ferrari for servicing
and was refinished in dark blue with black leather interior at that
time. Mr Veuillez owned the car until 4 November 1967 when it was
sold to the second owner in Toulouse, France. It was registered
there under plate 9237 QP 31. The car has remained with that
owner's family since 1967, making this a highly uncommon
opportunity to own such a magnificent machine with known history,
including time spent in long-term single-family ownership.
After many years of service, the car was mechanically restored
approximately 20 years ago. Having covered approximately 10,000 km
since the work was completed, the odometer now reads 65,952 km from
new. The car was repainted several years ago in its original shade
of Grigio Conchiglia, though it still wears the black leather
interior which was fitted by Ferrari in 1965. It presents
beautifully with an exceptionally attractive patination and signs
of use consistent with a well-loved automobile of this vintage.
Overall, this is a truly beautiful machine with the exceptional
performance one comes to expect from a 250 GT. Ready for its third
owner within its nearly 60-year history, it will make a fine
centrepiece to any Ferrari collection and would be an exceptional
companion for any driving tour or show.To view this car and others
currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa19.
