Chassis 1153GT
- The 82nd of just 353 Pinin Farina Coupes produced
- Delivered new through Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York in
March of 1959
- Retained for 47 years by airline pilot Captain Bill "Biff
Windsock" Charney
- Retains original Tipo 128D V12, internal number 0180 D, as
documented by Marcel Massini
The Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe occupies an important place
in the development of Ferrari's road cars. Introduced in the late
1950s, it brought greater refinement, comfort, and production
consistency to the already celebrated 250 GT platform while
retaining the performance and character of Ferrari's Colombo V12.
Elegant without being ostentatious, the Pinin Farina Coupe helped
establish the template for Ferrari's grand touring cars of the
following decade.
Beneath its restrained coachwork was Ferrari's 3.0-liter Tipo 128D
Colombo V12, here in inside-plug form with triple Weber carburetors
and twin distributors, paired with a four-speed manual
transmission. With approximately 240 horsepower when new, the 250
GT combined effortless high-speed touring ability with the balance
and mechanical sophistication that had already made Ferrari a
dominant name in international motorsport.
This 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe, chassis 1153 GT, is
the 82nd of 353 examples produced and is exceptionally well
documented by a 2023 Marcel Massini history report on file. Its
chassis frame was sent to Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in Turin on
November 3, 1958, with final assembly completed in February 1959.
The car was subsequently delivered new in March 1959 through Luigi
Chinetti Motors in New York.
As completed, chassis 1153 GT was finished in Grigio Conchiglia
over Rosso leather and equipped with Borletti instrumentation
calibrated in miles. Pinin Farina body number 82 and job number
22082 further document the car's original construction, while the
corresponding engine is identified as Tipo 128D, internal number
0180 D, in the Massini report.
Prior to 1969, the Ferrari was owned by Milton Garland of Corona,
California, and in the early 1970s passed to Fred Donald Wofford of
Tahoe City. On September 29, 1975, it was acquired by William
"Bill" Michael Charney of Reno, Nevada, an airline pilot and
Vietnam veteran known affectionately as "Captain Biff Windsock."
Charney would retain the Ferrari for an extraordinary 47 years,
providing the car with a degree of long-term continuity that is
increasingly uncommon among significant vintage Ferraris.
During Charney's ownership, the car received extensive mechanical
and cosmetic attention. The engine was rebuilt by Intrepid Motorcar
Company of Sparks, Nevada, in 1990, while International Motorcars
of Jackson, Mississippi, carried out restorative work between 1993
and 1996, including attention to the brakes, suspension, electrical
systems, paint, and brightwork. It was during this period that the
car was refinished in red.
Further mechanical and chassis work followed between 1997 and 2003
under Greg Jones of Stuart, Florida, with attention given to the
running gear, drivetrain, steering, brakes, and suspension. After
additional sorting and road testing by Intrepid Motorcar Company in
2008, the Ferrari continued to be maintained and exercised before
entering a period of static storage beginning in 2015.
Following Charney's passing in January 2022, chassis 1153 GT
returned to active use and benefited from further mechanical
attention, including a major engine service. Additional servicing
in June 2024 by Exclusive Motorcars of Arizona totaled
approximately $9,000 and included a valve adjustment, new fuel
lines, a rebuilt water pump, replacement seals and gaskets, new
spark plugs, generator bushings, a new battery, and fresh
fluids.
As offered today, the Ferrari presents in striking red with a
contrasting silver-painted roof and rockers over a fresh red
leather interior. The paintwork is highly attractive and the
interior presents exceptionally well, giving the car a crisp and
well cared-for appearance throughout. Borrani wire wheels with
three-eared knock-offs complete the classic presentation, while a
Becker Europa radio adds an appropriate period touch to the
cabin.
Mechanically, chassis 1153 GT benefits from decades of documented
attention and more recent servicing, making it far more than simply
a visually impressive example. Importantly, the engine stamping and
internal number correspond with the details recorded in the Massini
report, further reinforcing the car's documented integrity.
Accompanied by its Marcel Massini history report, owner's manual in
its leather pouch, and service documentation, this 250 GT Pinin
Farina Coupe combines elegant early Ferrari road-car styling with
unusually complete provenance and a remarkable 47-year period of
ownership. Beautifully presented, extensively serviced, and
supported by excellent documentation, chassis 1153 GT represents a
compelling opportunity to acquire one of Ferrari's most elegant and
usable classic grand tourers.
Offers welcome and trades considered.
