To Be OFFERED AT AUCTIONEstimate:
$1,800,000 - $2,000,000
- Desirable first-generation 'short-nose' example
- Fully restored in concours condition
- Equipped with its original engine
- Ferrari Classiche Certified; accompanied by Red Book and
extensive restoration invoices
- Offered with an original tool roll, books, jack, and spare
Please note that this lot is titled as a 1966.
GRAN TURISMO BERLINETTA
By 1963, it had become increasingly apparent to Ferrari's
engineering team that the long-running and highly successful 250 GT
series of road cars had reached the end of its development
potential. Despite the fact that Ferrari was drifting toward a more
luxurious base V-12 car, the company still wanted to maintain its
fine tradition of dual-purpose sports/racing cars, which had
cemented its considerable sporting reputation. Renowned British
racer Michael Parkes, at the time a Maranello works driver,
participated in considerable testing and proved to develop a
replacement model for the 250 GT platform, one that ultimately drew
considerably from the 250 GTO, with its long front hood and short
rear deck. The resulting 275 GTB debuted to great acclaim at the
1964 Paris Motor Show, appearing in tandem with a companion
open-top spider version.
The 275 GTB retained the sporting characteristics of prior Ferrari
sports/racers, and was built by Scaglietti. It featured the final
development of the classic single-overhead-cam Colombo short-block
design, which was now enlarged to displace 3,286cc. 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 year after the 275 GTB's 1964 debut, a second series was unveiled
that featured a longer nose, a modification intended to aid
aerodynamic downforce at high speeds. Despite the technical
improvements, many enthusiasts prefer the first-series cars'
proportions and purity of design, and early short-nose Series I
examples remain the rarest of all iterations of the 275 GTB
non-competition cars, with only approximately 250 examples
built.
CHASSIS NUMBER 06891
The 275 GTB offered here, chassis no. 06891, was originally
delivered to a Mr. Nogara of Italy in 1965, finished as a
steel-bodied example with three carburetors, and was finished in
Grigio Argento Acrilico Salchi over Pelle Nera (VM 8500) leather
upholstery. During the 1970s it was exported to the United States,
and in 1974 was sold to Ramsey Motors of Monterey, California,
which offered it for sale in the August edition of Autoweek with
35,000 miles. It was purchased thereafter by an owner in Maryland,
who changed its color to Argento.
Offered for sale in Maryland in 1981, the car was sold that year to
Howard A. West of Pittsburgh, who shortly thereafter passed it to
Tom Young of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Mr. Young restored the car to
Rosso with tan interior. Three years later the restored car was
purchased by Don Cloyd of Lexington, Kentucky, who later sold it to
Roy Anderson of Roswell, Georgia. Mr. Anderson appears to have been
the long-term owner for whom the car had waited and deserved; he
sold the car to Terry K. Price of Gazelle, California, in 2013. Mr.
Price sold the Ferrari the following year to a well-known American
musician and connoisseur of sporting cars, who held on to it for
some time.
In this ownership the car was brought to Gran Touring Classics of
Long Beach, California, and beautifully restored under their
supervision, with the body returned to its original condition,
aside from the rich and appealing Rosso Barchetta finish, by
Beckman Metalworks; great care was taken to correct previous
modifications and poor repair work. The interior was restored using
correct leather, as-original, and presents absolutely beautifully
throughout; even the wood trim is new.
On the mechanical side, the engine had been rebuilt prior to the
owner's acquisition. The suspension and brakes were completely
rebuilt using correct components, and even the dashboard gauges
rebuilt properly. The transaxle was not functioning correctly and
was taken apart, cleaned thoroughly, and had its bearings replaced
and damage to the case repaired; the fuel system lines were also
replaced and the tank cleaned. The Campagnolo wheels were carefully
restored. Accompanying invoices reflect the amount of work
performed and the selection of "N.O.S." components whenever
possible. Seatbelts were fitted for road safety.
The Ferrari presents beautifully today. It has been issued Ferrari
Classiche Certification, which reflects the original engine and the
installation of a replacement correct-type gearbox, which the
current owner believes was fitted by the factory early in the car's
life. An original tool roll accompanies along with a new spare tire
on its factory wheel and, of course, the Classiche Red Book.
This is an exceptionally thoroughly restored 275 GTB, in pristine
condition and worthy of a place in the most selective collection of
Ferrari road cars.To view this car and others currently consigned
to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo20.