For Sale at Auction: 1966 Ferrari 275 in Amelia Island, Florida

Chassis No. 08577
Engine No. 08577 (Internal No. 1280/64)
Transmission No. 630

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 trim 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. However, prior to the introduction of the GTB/4, the "long nose" cars were revised in April 1966 with the introduction of a torque tube. It was a dramatic improvement over the earlier CV joint arrangement, absorbing the vibration and harsher nature of the earlier cars. The engine was now fitted with two engine mounts and the transaxle also had two mounts with a torque tube fitted in between. The final 100 or so "long nose" examples benefited from this torque tube setup. Among the most desirable of the few options offered by the factory for the 275 GTB was a six-carburetor induction system. Featuring six twin-choke Weber 40DCN3 carburetors arranged with a single barrel feeding each cylinder, very few of these 275 GTB/6C examples were produced.

This striking 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C-chassis number 08577-is one of these desirable "long nose" torque tube examples, featuring the rare six-Weber carburetor induction system as fitted to the car by the factory from new. According to the history report compiled by noted Ferrari historian Marcel Massini and the Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification issued for the car, 275 GTB/6C number 08577 was completed at Maranello during the early part of May 1966 as it appears today, with the stunning Pininfarina designed coachwork finished Amaranto (20-R-188) over a Pelle Beige (VM 3309) leather interior. A left-hand drive example with instruments in kilometers, 08577 was invoiced on 16 May 1966 to famed Ferrari importer Garage Francorchamps of Bruxelles, Belgium, where it would be delivered on 23 June 1966, and sold to first owner Freddy Dammann of Bruxelles, Belgium that same month.

With the growing interest in Ferrari cars in the U.S., 08577 left the Continent in 1968, and was acquired later that year by Walter D. Ward, a resident of Los Angeles, California, at the time described as featuring the desirable six-carburetor induction system. Ward kept the Ferrari until 1989 and is pictured in the Ferrari Owners Club USA magazine during this time sporting blue and yellow California license plate "BIG F." Later in 1989, 08577 returned to the continent when sold to Swiss enthusiast Ralf Ludwig and would see maintenance carried out by Walo Schibler's Symbol Automobiles of Matran, Switzerland. Ludwig kept the desirable Ferrari for the next decade, until selling it in November 1998 to Tiziano Carugati Automobiles of Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland, who would show the car at the Ferrari Club Suisse meeting that following summer. Carugati would offer the car for sale that summer with around 98,000 km recorded, yet kept the car until 2003, when 08577 returned to Belgium.

In December 2005, 275 GTB/6C 08577 was sold to Carlo Incerti of Modena, Italy, who soon entrusted the classic Ferrari to the renowned Ferrari restoration specialist Bacchelli & Villa of Bastiglia, Italy for a total cosmetic and mechanical restoration, with engine rebuild carried out by Sauro Mingarelli of Bologna, and interior masterfully done by Tappezzeria Luppi of Modena. The work was carried out to the highest standard and factory-correct specification, and of course 08577's original livery of Amaranto over Pelle Beige was maintained. During this time, 08577 was issued a Ferrari factory Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its original configuration.

Incerti would enjoy the now freshly restored 275 GTB/6C for the following two decades, driving it on the Modena Cento Ore in 2006, showing it at the Ferrari Factory 60th Anniversary in 2007 in addition to other Concours d'Elegance events, and again at the Ferrari Factory 70th Anniversary in 2017. Testimony to the impeccable restoration carried out by Bacchelli & Villa, Incerti would win the coveted Platinum Award with 08577 at the IV Cavallino Concours in Modena, Italy in May of 2024. During this time, the 275 GTB/6C would go through the full Ferrari Classiche program and receive its Red Book certification confirming its original six-carburetor configuration and matching numbers engine, transaxle, chassis and bodywork, wheels and original livery.

Returning to U.S. shores in 2024, 275 GTB/6C number 08577 has since been kept in concours condition. A recent test drive by a Broad Arrow Car Specialist showed the car's strong performance, smooth shifting and handling, and excellent balance of these transaxle GTBs. Fitted with Campagnolo light alloy wheels as factory specified, shod with Michelin XWX tires, the car presents with just the right look. Completing this wonderfully restored and well provenanced Berlinetta is its Ferrari Classiche Red Book, a tool kit and jack, and noted Ferrari historian Marcel Massini's history report.

This six-carburetor 275 GTB offers its next caretaker many opportunities in terms of further showings at prestigious Concours d'Elegance and FCA events, or high-speed touring on such events as the Copperstate 1000 or a trip back on the Modena Cento Ore. With its Ferrari Classiche certification confirming its matching numbers status with its original components intact including the exceedingly rare six-carburetor setup, this fully-evolved, "long nose," torque tube 275 GTB/6C presented in its original livery is a timeless, usable and highly-collectible Ferrari representing arguably one of the most exciting eras of Maranello cars to date.