For Sale at Auction: 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB in Monterey, California

Vehicle Description

Chassis No. 07723
Engine No. 07723
Transmission No. 357

Lights shone on a familiar silhouette at the 1964 Paris Salon-the curves and long flowing front 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 configuration were produced before the four-cam 275 GTB/4 was announced at the 1966 Paris Salon. Of these, approximately 250 were produced in the original "short nose" guise debuted at the 1964 Paris Salon-considered by many to be the more graceful design.

This spectacular matching-numbers short nose 275 GTB, chassis number 07723, benefits from a thoroughly documented chain of careful owners since new. Factory records and Marcel Massini's report indicate that the Ferrari was issued its Certificate of Origin from the factory on 25 September 1965, finished in classic Argento Metallizzato (Metallic Silver) over Nero (Black) Connolly upholstery, and was delivered the same day via Crepaldi S.a.s. in Milan. Its first steward, Alfredo Honegger of Bergamo, was a noted client of Crepaldi's, having previously ordered two 250 GT Pininfarina Coupes, and a 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso which he traded in for the new 275 GTB. Chassis 07723 was registered in Bergamo on Italian plates "BG 127987" and remained in its home country through the late 1960s before being exported to Southern California in 1969.

There, the Ferrari entered the care of Mike Gertner, a Newport Beach enthusiast who enjoyed the Berlinetta for three years before listing it for sale in an issue of Road & Track magazine. By 1972, the 275 GTB had joined the membership roster of the Ferrari Owners Club USA, appearing under the ownership of Long Beach resident William Thomas, and in 1975 passed to Los Angeles attorney Douglas G. Simon. It was Simon who commissioned the first full restoration of 07723 by Creative Car Craft, electing to repaint it in a classic red lacquer exterior with fresh Connolly leather upholstery and new Borrani wire wheels. The car subsequently appeared at the Ferrari Club of America's (FCA) Concours d'Eleganza in Los Alamitos in May 1978, where 07723 earned both Best Paint and Best-in-Class honors.

Remaining in Southern California, a purchase order on file shows that in 1981 the Ferrari was acquired through European Auto Mart by Marshall "Bud" D. Bell of Manhattan Beach. Bell would retain the Berlinetta for a remarkable 32 years, with extensive service records on file chronicling the care lavished on 07723 throughout the decades. In 2013, Bell parted with his beloved Ferrari, passing through Gullwing Motorcars before finding its next devoted caretaker in Nick Clemence of European Collectibles in Newport Beach. In this ownership, the car was the subject of a comprehensive three-year, nut-and-bolt restoration commencing in 2018 and concluding in 2021, utilizing some of the best Ferrari restoration specialists around.

The bare-metal rejuvenation brought 07723 back to exacting factory specifications with Beckman Metal Works correcting any chassis imperfections, European Collectibles overseeing body-off paint in its original Argento Metallizzato, Westminster Auto Upholstery retrimming the interior in period-correct blue Connolly leather, and Brook Betz of Betz & Peters handling the mechanical assembly. Every facet of the project was photo documented, and no expense was spared in bringing 07723 to 100-point concours-quality and factory correct standards.

Following completion of the restoration, the Ferrari embarked on an enviable run of concours successes that validated the exceptional quality of the work performed. At the 2021 FCA Pacific Region Concorso Italiano alone, the car achieved the 12 Cylinder Award, Best of Show, and a coveted Platinum award amidst stiff competition. Factory validation of 07723's authenticity came in 2022 when Ferrari Classiche certification was carried out by Ferrari of Newport Beach. The resulting "Red Book" confirms that the car retains its original, matching-numbers Tipo 213 V12 engine (number 07723, internal number 662/64) and Tipo 563 gearbox (number 357), along with its original body and chassis.

Today, 275 GTB chassis 07723 remains in superbly restored condition, with less than 500 miles since the three-year restoration was completed. The comprehensive documentation and period accessories that accompany the Ferrari include its original tool kit and jack, the leather-bound owner's manual folio, Ferrari Classiche Red Book, the trophy collection from its 2021 concours successes, an additional set of five Borrani wire wheels, and a "sunburst" pattern alloy wheel. This, of course, is in addition to an exhaustive binder of past registration and purchase documents, restoration photographs, and detailed receipts from the various specialists who contributed to the award-winning restoration to bring 07723 to the spectacular condition it exhibits today.

Chassis 07723 exemplifies everything that makes the 275 GTB such a compelling choice for the discerning Ferraristi. Its early short nose designation places it among the most desirable examples of the breed, while its combination of Ferrari Classiche certification, concours-level presentation, and meticulous documentation creates a package that is sure to see continued success on the concours circuit or enjoyment on any number of high-speed rallies. With a modest 500 miles traveled since its impeccable restoration, 07723 represents what is surely one of the finest and most thoroughly authenticated examples to surface in years.

Vehicle Details

  • 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB
  • Listing ID: CC-1972063
  • Price: Auction Vehicle
  • Location:Monterey, California
  • Year:1965
  • Make:Ferrari
  • Model:275 GTB
  • Odometer:51947
  • Stock Number:0081
  • VIN:07723
Listed By:
Broad Arrow Auctions
Monterey Jet Center
300 Skypark Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940

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