Chassis No. 08465
Engine No. 1236
Transmission No. 616
Differential No. 563
Lights shone on a familiar silhouette at the 1964 Paris Salon - the
curves and long nose of Ferrari's latest grand tourer echoing that
of the fabled 250 GTO. Styled by Pininfarina, the 275 GTB's
beautifully proportioned coachwork disguised a number of technical
firsts on a road-going Ferrari, including the debut of a fully
independent rear suspension and the integration of the differential
and transmission into a single rear-mounted transaxle assembly. Its
standard light alloy wheels and tail spoiler were further
indications of Ferrari's race-bred innovations. Under its plunging
hood rested the latest incarnation of the Colombo-designed
60-degree V12, designated Tipo 213 and descending directly from the
250 LM and 275 P units. With a compression ratio of 9.2:1 and the
standard triple twin-choke Weber carburetor assembly, the engine
produced 280 horsepower at 7,600 rpm-20 horsepower more than its
GTS sister car.
Less than a year after its launch, Ferrari introduced a new
interpretation of the 275 GTB at the 1965 Frankfurt Salon,
noticeably lacking its chrome headlight rims and driver's-side vent
window, sporting a new hood bulge above the carburetors, and
utilizing external trunk latches. These changes previewed the
so-called "long nose" second series unveiled a month later at the
Paris Salon, featuring a lengthened and lower nose with a shallow,
elliptical grille opening. In total, 454 examples of the 275 GTB in
its original, twin-cam form were produced before the four-cam 275
GTB/4 was announced at the 1966 Paris Salon.
This left-hand-drive 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB is one of these 454
twin-cam examples, sold new by Ferrari SpA to Achille Pigoli of
Barbagna, Italy on 5 May 1966. It should be noted that the chassis
plate of chassis number 08465 is marked with a "GTC" prefix, which
is documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini to be an
erroneous stamping and one of three examples (chassis numbers
08445, 08457 and 08465) incorrectly stamped by the factory (the
stamping is recognized by Ferrari to be original, as follows
below). The Azzurro Metallizzato (106-A-32) over Nero (VM 8500)
leather Ferrari was driven regularly and serviced by the Ferrari
factory's Assistenza Clienti department in Modena on several
occasions, traveling 14,857 kilometers by September 1967. On 8 May
1970, the car was exported to France and subsequently sold to its
second owner, Lucien Mette of Bayonne. The car was once again
serviced in Modena in September 1971, showing that Mette had
accumulated 29,917 kilometers in the Ferrari. By 1976, the car had
passed to its second French owner, Michel Barthet, who would retain
the rare Berlinetta for a remarkable 35 years.
In Barthet's ownership, chassis 08465 was repainted to wear a dark
blue over red leather livery in 2004 - then showing approximately
63,000 kilometers - followed by a more comprehensive restoration
performed by Carrosserie Lecoq in 2010. This undertaking, which was
completed in 2011, saw the Ferrari refinished in gray over a tan
leather interior and upgraded with a six Weber carburetor assembly,
a roll bar, a trunk-mounted fuel cell, cast light alloy ten-hole
wheels, a 275 GTB/C Speciale-style hood scoop, and other
competition-inspired modifications. After over three decades of
treasured common ownership, Barthet sold the Ferrari to the
consignor in 2011, the car's third French owner and only its fourth
owner since new.
In this competition-inspired guise, the car was fielded in numerous
rallies and vintage racing events across Europe, including the Tour
Auto rally in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018, the Trofeo Nastro
Rosso during the Dix Mille Tours at Paul Richard in 2014, and the
Le Mans Classic in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Under current ownership it
was decided to return the car to original specifications. The
highly original Ferrari was awarded coveted Classiche certification
in November 2015, certifying that the serial numbers present on the
chassis, engine, transmission, and differential are recognized to
be the original stampings matching factory records. Furthermore,
the Red Book notes that the body, Koni suspension components,
Dunlop disc brakes, and alloy wheels comply with original factory
specifications. Importantly, the Red Book makes no mention of any
repairs within Classiche's parameters, a testament to the
reversibility of the competition guise it once wore.
Following its Classiche certification and in the pursuit of utmost
originality, the fully matching-numbers Ferrari was the subject of
a nut-and-bolt restoration in 2023, during which the car was
returned to its wonderful as-delivered Azzurro Metallizzato over
Nero leather colors. The cosmetic aspect of restoration also
encompassed repairs to the Scaglietti-constructed steel bodyshell,
the realignment of the body on the frame, and the chrome plating
and polishing of trim elements at a cost of €143,300 (approximately
$154,785). The car simultaneously underwent a mechanical
restoration by Heritage Motor Cars, including a complete rebuild of
the original Colombo V12, reinstallation of the engine and
accessories, modification and installation of the wiring harness,
as well as a brake and clutch bleeding - totaling €84,612.89
(approximately $91,809.22). It should be noted that the V12 is
presently equipped with a six-carburetor setup; however, the car
will be supplied with its original triple twin-choke Weber 40DCZ/6
carburetor assembly should the next owner wish to return it to its
original specification.
Completing this wonderfully restored and well provenanced
Berlinetta is a second set of Borrani wire wheels, its Ferrari
Classiche Red Book, and copies of French and Italian registration
documents. Now showing 73,475 kilometers, chassis number 08465 is a
terrific example of one of Ferrari's greatest ever grand tourers,
faithfully presented in its original twin-cam "long nose" form,
wearing its original color scheme, and retaining all of its
original major mechanicals. This exciting Ferrari is well suited
for extensive touring or showcasing at prestigious concours
d'elegance and FCA events but would also make an ideal companion
for cruising coastal roads as it was for its French owners.
Internet bidding is not available for this lot. Please contact
[email protected] for more information.
Please note that this lot is being sold on non-US ownership
documents, so obtaining US title will take additional processing
time.
