To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Monterey event, 15 - 17
August 2019.
Estimate:
$2,200,000 - $2,400,000
- One of approximately 58 long-nose, torque-tube,
triple-carburetor, steel-bodied examples
- Retains its matching-numbers original engine and gearbox
- Finished in its original colors of Rosso Rubino over Nero
- Includes tool roll and set of owner's manuals
Although it could be argued that the 250 GT series of road-going
models solidified Ferrari's reputation as a builder of sports and
grand touring cars, the platform was becoming a bit long in the
tooth by 1963. Its much-anticipated replacement, the 275 GTB,
debuted alongside the drop-top 275 GTS at the 1964 Paris Motor Show
to great acclaim, affirming that Ferrari still had a bright
future.
Almost identical in name, these two models were certainly not
identical in ethos. The 275 GTS, constructed by Pininfarina,
emphasized comfort and luxury, while its closed sibling, the 275
GTB, bore a harder edge and more sporting nature. Both cars boasted
a number of interesting features and advances that were sure to
excite even the most seasoned of drivers. Technically, the 275
featured the final development of the classic single-overhead cam
Colombo short-block design, which was now enlarged to displace
3,286 cc. Optimal weight balance was achieved by mounting the
gearbox directly to the rear axle, a rear transaxle design that
would become a standard practice in many ensuing Ferrari road cars.
The 275 is also notable as the first Ferrari for the street to
feature an independent suspension on all four wheels, an innovation
that eventually took hold across automobile manufacturing.
A late-production 275 GTB, chassis no. 08603 was fitted with triple
Weber carburetors and finished in Rosso Rubino (160-R-12) over a
Nero (VM 8500) interior with full leather seats, just as it
presents today. It was originally delivered to its first private
owner, a Mr. Cochran of Los Angeles, after passing through Luigi
Chinetti's East Coast distributorship.
Over the course of the 275's production run, a number of rolling
changes were implemented to continuously improve the model. The two
most important changes were the introduction of the "long-nose"
body style and the installation of a torque tube. The nose was
lengthened on later cars in an effort to eliminate the undesirable
high-speed lift characteristics of the earlier short-nose models.
Additionally, a torque tube was added in early 1966 to improve the
stability and durability of the drivetrain. These changes were
being applied to all 275 GTBs by the time its successor, the 275
GTB/4, was introduced, and these "long-nose, torque-tube" 275 GTBs
are often considered to be the most desirable iterations of the
model. Chassis 08603 is one such example.
As of 1974, the car had moved to Enid, Oklahoma, where it was noted
as being owned by Don Blenderman, according to Ferrari historian
Marcel Massini. No stranger to high-horsepower V-12s from
Maranello, Blenderman also owned a 250 LM. It then passed through
the ownership of Michael McCafferty of San Diego in 1977, who owned
the car for several years. In recent correspondence, he notes that
he enthusiastically drove the car daily, even selling his Canon
camera so he could buy a new set of tires. McCafferty later sold
the car to his then mechanic, Gary Bobileff, who repainted it Fly
Yellow and in turn sold it to Charles H. Reid of Houston, Texas,
around 1980.
Remaining in Texas through at least 1983, the car's next owner is
noted as Ferrari collector Dr. Robert Bodin of Minneapolis, and in
1992 the car was sold to another respected Ferrari collector,
Rodolfo Junca de la Vega II. While in Junca de la Vega's ownership,
08603 was shown at the second annual Vintage Ferrari Concours in
Carmel Valley, California, and placed 3rd in Class. It was shown
once more by Junca de la Vega at the Ferrari Club of America
International Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California, in
August 1994, where it earned an impressive 1st in Class award.
Later that year, it left the U.S. for the first time since it
arrived at Chinetti's distributorship almost 30 years earlier.
Afterwards, the car was sold to Japan, where it remained for 20
years before returning to the U.S. in the fall of 2014. Overall,
the car presents wonderfully throughout and has clearly been well
kept since its restoration. The interior presents very well, with
all the correct trim and fittings, including an original steering
wheel and proper markings on the windshield and side glass with
door and window seals in excellent condition. The car's chrome trim
is also in excellent condition and, along with the Borrani wire
wheels mounted with Michelin XWX tires at all four corners, adds to
the car's already-stunning good looks.
More recently, chassis no. 08603 was repainted in its original
Rosso Rubino, and the car received a full engine-bay detail and
refinishing to bring the car to a greater level of factory
correctness. A number of new components were fitted to facilitate
this, including a new washer bag, correct airbox and labels for the
heater and radiator hoses, as well as factory-correct bolts, nuts,
and fasteners where necessary. Invoices for this work are on file.
Furthermore, the car is accompanied by a tool roll and a set of
owner's manuals.
Without a doubt one of the most stunning designs ever penned by
Pininfarina and crafted by Scaglietti, the 275 GTB is truly an icon
of Italian styling and design. Equally menacing and sensual in
form, it is just as exciting to drive as it is to look at, and this
fine example does not disappoint in either regard.To view this car
and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo19.